Dan Patrick unloads on Victor Wembanyama after Spurs’ Finals defeat: ‘Petty’

The New York Knicks waited 53 years to raise another championship banner. When the moment finally arrived Saturday night, Jalen Brunson delivered the type of performance that cements legacies.

Victor Wembanyama, meanwhile, left many talking about something entirely different.

Following New York’s five-game NBA Finals victory over the San Antonio Spurs, longtime broadcaster Dan Patrick offered a blunt assessment of how the two superstars handled the spotlight.

“I think Wemby got exposed in a variety of ways here,” Patrick said. “I think he came off as petty. I think he came off occasionally as a guy who would give a cheap shot. I didn’t like sort of how he ended the series. Go find Jalen Brunson. I mean, Jalen Brunson was all class.”

Patrick’s criticism stems less from Wembanyama’s performance and more from how he carried himself during the series.

The Spurs star faced scrutiny for several heated exchanges with Knicks players, including Mitchell Robinson, a controversial shove on Jalen Brunson and criticism after leaving the floor without the same visible postgame sportsmanship that Brunson displayed.

While many viewed those moments as the frustration of a 22-year-old superstar learning on the biggest stage, Patrick saw them as signs that Wembanyama’s maturity and leadership still have room to grow.

To Patrick, the contrast with Brunson could not have been sharper.

As the final seconds ticked away in New York’s 94-90 championship-clinching victory, Brunson first sought out Spurs coach Mitch Johnson for a handshake before joining his teammates in celebration. It was a small gesture, but one that reinforced the reputation Brunson has built throughout his rise from overlooked free agent signing to Finals MVP.

The Knicks star backed up that sportsmanship with one of the greatest championship performances in franchise history. Brunson scored 45 points in Game 5, tying Michael Jordan for the most points ever scored on the road in a Finals-clinching victory. He finished the series averaging 32.6 points and earned a unanimous Finals MVP vote.

Wembanyama’s production was impressive as well. The 22-year-old averaged 27.8 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.3 blocks during the series while leading San Antonio to the Finals in just his third NBA season.

But several analysts pointed to flaws in his offensive game that became apparent late in the series. Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor noted Wembanyama’s struggles creating his own shot, his tendency to settle for jumpers and moments where veteran Knicks center Mitchell Robinson physically overwhelmed him around the basket.

None of that changes Wembanyama’s enormous long-term potential. He finished third in MVP voting and helped guide the Spurs to 62 wins and a Western Conference title.

Still, as Patrick noted, the Finals became a reminder that talent alone isn’t enough.

Brunson left the series with a championship, a Finals MVP trophy and praise for his leadership.

Wembanyama left with valuable lessons and a long offseason to answer the criticism.

To his credit, Wemby recognizes this as a time of learning, despite not currently understanding what lessons he is learning;

“This is the biggest lesson of my life, the biggest learning moment, Wembanyama said during the post-game press conference. “I can’t tell you exactly what the lesson is. But we’re learning from that. I’m learning more than any other time in my life.”