Stephen A. Smith is weighing in on Victor Wembanyama's physical profile, pointing to the one area he believes the rising NBA star still needs to address.
During a recent episode of First Take, Smith praised Wembanyama's overall game but highlighted his slim frame as a potential concern, especially in high-contact situations, in a very out-of-pocket way.
"You forget how slim he really, really is," Smith said. "When you see something like that happen, it reminds you of the vulnerability, like where is the beef?"
He continued, "That's the one thing lacking. Ain't nothing else lacking, but the one thing lacking on him is that beef, that meat right there."
Smith contrasted Wembanyama's build with that of more physically imposing players, noting that the Spurs star doesn't yet command the same level of physical presence as someone like Shaquille O'Neal.
"This is not Shaquille O'Neal, where you about to run to a bench for a loose ball and the entire bench clears because you're coming," he said. "Wemby, they're ready to catch you. There's a difference."
The comments come as Wembanyama continues to adjust to the physical demands of the NBA, where strength and durability often become key factors over the course of a long season.
Smith's remarks also stand in contrast to his recent commentary on Zion Williamson, where he criticized the Pelicans forward for the opposite issue.
Addressing Williamson's conditioning, Smith claimed concerns about his weight and discipline were rooted in information from within the organization.
"What was Zion's problem? Food. Food addict," Smith said. "Everybody in New Orleans that cooked knew about Zion Williamson."
While Smith acknowledged Williamson's talent, he suggested that questions about his habits have long been known behind the scenes.
Taken together, Smith's recent comments highlight two very different physical narratives: one player viewed as too slight for the league's grind, and another criticized for carrying too much weight.
