Victor Wembanyama Clarifies ‘Ethical Basketball’ Comments After Spurs’ Statement Win Over Thunder
Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren have been linked since before either of them stepped onto an NBA court. One was the wiry, skilled big man rising through the American college ranks; the other, a French phenom with a wingspan that could blot out the sun and a game that defied convention.
They’ve been compared, contrasted, and even clashed in international play. But now that they’re both in the league, the conversation has shifted from potential to production - and Wembanyama is starting to pull away.
While Holmgren has already added hardware to his resume, Wembanyama is turning heads with his all-around dominance. And after the San Antonio Spurs handed the Oklahoma City Thunder just their second loss of the season, Wembanyama stirred the pot with a comment that raised a few eyebrows.
“Ethical Basketball” or Subtle Jab?
Following the Spurs’ win, Wembanyama described his team’s style of play as “ethical basketball” - a phrase that some interpreted as a not-so-subtle critique of the Thunder’s approach, particularly when it comes to drawing fouls. It didn’t take long for the buzz to build, prompting the 7’4” rookie to clarify what he meant.
“In modern basketball, we see a lot of brands of basketball that don’t offer much variety in dangers they propose to the opponents,” Wembanyama said. “Lots of isolation ball and, sometimes, kind of forced basketball.
We try to propose a brand of basketball that can be described as more old school sometimes; the Spurs way as well. So it’s tactically more correct basketball, in my opinion.”
In other words, this wasn’t about throwing shade - it was about philosophy. Wembanyama wasn’t calling out the Thunder directly, but rather expressing pride in the Spurs’ system. It’s a system built on movement, spacing, and team execution - the kind of basketball that’s been a hallmark of San Antonio for decades.
A Rookie Wise Beyond His Years
It’s not often you see a 20-year-old rookie speaking with this level of nuance about the game. But Wembanyama isn’t your average rookie.
He’s been vocal about wanting to play the right way, the hard way - on both ends of the court. And while his comments may have been misinterpreted as a dig at Holmgren or OKC, they were more about elevating the way basketball is played than tearing anyone down.
Still, the timing of the comments - right after a win over one of the league’s elite teams - gave them some extra bite. And let’s be honest: any time Wemby and Chet are involved, fans are going to read between the lines.
Respect for the Thunder - and What’s Still to Come
To his credit, Wembanyama was quick to acknowledge that the Spurs aren’t quite on the Thunder’s level just yet.
“I think we’re not quite there yet, but it’s a good sign that people see that it’s possible,” he said. “It’s not like we’re the second seed right now.
I don’t think anybody right now can claim to have a rivalry with them in the league. They’re in their own tier, but in the future, provided that they stay just as good and we reach that level, of course it’d be great to have a rivalry.
I’m very interested by it.”
That’s a level-headed take from a player who knows the long game. San Antonio is still rebuilding, still figuring things out. But games like this - and performances like Wembanyama’s - are reminders that the foundation is already being laid.
The Future Is Bright - and Competitive
Right now, the Thunder are the real deal. They’ve dropped only two games all season, and they’ve looked every bit like a team built to contend for years. But the Spurs didn’t back down - even when Wembanyama missed time with an injury, they held their own.
Whether San Antonio is ready to challenge OKC in a seven-game series is still a big question. But what’s clear is that this matchup has all the ingredients for a long-term rivalry: two generational big men, two smart front offices, and two teams committed to playing their own brand of basketball.
So, was “ethical basketball” a shot at the Thunder? Maybe, maybe not.
But one thing’s for sure: when Wembanyama and Holmgren share the floor, it’s must-watch basketball. And if both teams keep trending upward, we might just be witnessing the early chapters of the NBA’s next great big-man rivalry.