NBA legend fires back at Knicks fans calling Victor Wembanyama 'dirty'

The New York Knicks fans have been calling out Victor Wembanyama after the San Antonio Spurs star mushed Jalen Brunson in the face in the NBA Finals Game 3.

There was also one incident in Game 4 where Knicks fans argued that Wembanyama played "dirty" against Knicks forward OG Anunoby. However, another footage showed the Spurs star had no harm intentions.

With Wembanyama facing scrutiny on the internet, two-time NBA champion Isiah Thomas came to the rescue of the Spurs star. According to Thomas, the Knicks should feel lucky that the 7-foot-4 has not retaliated, knowing what is being thrown to him.

"Wemby has been the victim of some of the dirtiest shit ever. I mean, people are grabbing and holding him," Thomas said on Run it Back. "I mean, people are grabbing and holding him... they're lucky he hasn't turned around and popped one of them in the face real quick.”

MORE: Knicks fans think Victor Wembanyama tried to hurt OG Anunoby, but a new angle proves them wrong

Isiah Thomas compares Victor Wembanyama with Shaq

Thomas compared the Spurs star to NBA great Shaquille O'Neal, probably the most dominant center of all time. Thomas, who has been selected as an All-Star guard 12 times in his career, recalled what Shaq faced during his prime time in the NBA.

"I mean, Shaq took more abuse in our league than any NBA player probably that's ever played," Thomas continued. "You know, the term hack-a-Shaq, right? That means you get to hit him, foul him, and they labeled it. Now, as a person, it ain't never okay to hit me and foul me hard. I'm not taking that sh*t, right? Shaq's demeanor was okay; he took it. Now, with Wemby, we're allowing people to grab him, hold him, knock him down."

Thomas lauds Wembanyama's temperament in the midst of the excessive physicality shown by the Knicks during this NBA Finals. He even talked about his incident with Brunson.

"You know, he mushed Jalen, you know, Brunson in the face," Thomas added. "Yeah, he did. But, you know, lucky for us little guys, the big guys, you know, they'll just mush us in the face. They won't hit us in the face. So, you know, I give Wimby a lot of credit for his temperament right now."

Thomas seems to suggest that the amount of physicality has drastically reduced in the NBA, but even then, fans are complaining over such minor acts of aggression from Wembanyama.

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• Knicks' Game 4 get-in prices drop to near $3k hours before pivotal Spurs encounter
• Victor Wembanyama-Jalen Brunson controversy grows as Draymond Green brings Steph Curry into debate
• Victor Wembanyama off the hook after NBA ruling on Jalen Brunson shove