Isiah Thomas Sees Shades of Michael Jordan in NBA's Treatment of Victor Wembanyama

At just 22 years old, Victor Wembanyama already looks like he's revolutionizing the NBA. He possesses a skill set that is highly unusual for someone standing 7-foot-4, and his ceiling may be even higher than his towering frame suggests. By all indications, he has the potential to become the face of the league. Unexpectedly, though, his rise as basketball's next big thing is also reopening old wounds.

Two-time champion Isiah Thomas, face of the Bad Boys Pistons, sees a bit of Michael Jordan in Wembanyama, and it's not because of his skills or his potential. Instead, Thomas sees it in the league's treatment of these two players.

In his statement on the Crossover Podcast, Thomas even assumed the thoughts of 2026 Finals MVP Jalen Brunson. "I'm sure in Jalen Brunson's mind, he's like, 'they're talking about the face of the league, didn't you just see me walk the face of the league?'" Thomas said.

Later, the conversation shifted when someone asked why the NBA is pushing Wemby as the face of the league even after what Brunson accomplished.

Between 1988 and 1990, the Pistons, led by Thomas, defeated Jordan and the Bulls in the post-season. Still, to the NBA, Jordan remained the league's face.

"So when you ask that question, it's a much deeper question in terms of who they want to be the face of the league," Thomas said. "Not who's the best."

Thomas defeated Jordan and Co. in the Conference semifinals of the 1988 playoffs. That year, the Pistons made it all the way to the Finals but lost to the LA Lakers in 7 games.

The following year, Thomas and the Pistons beat the Bulls in 6 games during the Eastern Conference Finals. This time, the Pistons swept LA in the Finals.

In 1990, the Pistons and Bulls met in an ECF rematch. The series went to 7 games this time around, with the Pistons advancing to the Finals. Detroit repeated as champions after beating the Portland Trail Blazers in 5 games.

After that year, though, the Bulls owned the 90s. They won the title from 1991 to '93, then again from '96 to '98. That was when MJ solidified himself as the face of the NBA.

Jalen Brunson Has the Advantage Over Victor Wembanyama

So far, it looks like Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks are the one question Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs have no answer for.

Every time Wemby and Brunson go head-to-head, it looks like the Spurs are on the wrong end of a bad matchup.

Since 2023, there have been five regular-season games where these two stars battled each other.

In November 2023, the Knicks beat the Spurs 126-105, led by Jalen Brunson's 25 points.

The next time these two shared the court was in March 2024. The Spurs won that game 130-106, but Brunson scored a career-high 61 points. Notably, Wemby also went off for 40.

During the 2024-25 season, Wemby and Brunson only battled once. That was a Christmas Day matchup where the Spurs star scored 42 points. However, the Knicks overcame that performance, winning 117-114, with 20 points from Brunson.

Neither player was present in their second battle that season, which took place later on March 19, 2025.

This past season, Brunson faced Wemby three times outside of the playoffs. On New Year's Eve 2025, the Knicks lost a battle that went down to the wire, 132-134. Brunson scored 29, while Wemby had 31.

Then, on March 1, the Knicks routed the Spurs 114-89 with Brunson scoring 24.

Their other matchup was in the NBA Cup Finals. That game took place on December 16, with the Knicks winning 124-113.

Including this game, Brunson is 4-2 against Wemby. With the Finals included, he's 8-3 against the French star.