Spurs' Popovich: Victor Wembanyama Criticism Similar to Backlash LeBron James Faced

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich discussed the unique criticism that standout rookie Victor Wembanyama received following the team's 117-115 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday.

"When he caught that ball, he could have gone up, but he had a wide-open guy right here at the rim, so he made the pass," Popovich said, per Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News. "So, it's not even a topic. He probably made the best basketball play."

As the Spurs trailed by two points with less than 20 seconds remaining in the game, Wembanyama had the ball in the paint and passed it to teammate Jeremy Sochan. Sochan attempted to kick it out to a shooter, although he ended up committing the game-sealing turnover.

The three-time Coach of the Year likened the distinctive criticism that the former No. 1 overall pick has received to LeBron James, as the NBA's all-time leading scorer has faced similar complaints regarding his willingness to pass the ball to open teammates in clutch situations.

"Every time he shot it, they said he should have passed it," Popovich said, via Orsborn. "When he passed it, they said, 'He didn't have any guts'...Just silly, ignorant comments."

Wembanyama didn't allow the detractors to affect him during San Antonio's following game, a 130-108 victory over the Detroit Pistons. The 20-year-old recorded the first triple double of his career as he recorded 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in just 21 minutes of action. This included an incredible full-court pass to Sochan for a transition dunk.

Wembanyama became the youngest player in franchise history to record a triple double.