# Wembanyama on NBA villain label

> Spurs star explains why 'villain' label didn't bother him during NBA Finals.
- Title: Wembanyama on NBA villain label · CBS Sports | Shortify
- Summary: Spurs star explains why 'villain' label didn't bother him during NBA Finals. Wembanyama says he ignored the 'villain' label after NBA Finals but admits he…
- Keywords: victor wembanyama, nba finals, spurs, knicks, 60 minutes, defensive player of the year, nba mvp, CBS Sports
- Source: CBS Sports — https://cbssports.com/nba/news/victor-wembanyama-60-minutes-interview-villain-label-nba-finals
- Published: 2026-10-29T17:43:29+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: victor wembanyama, nba finals, spurs, knicks, 60 minutes, defensive player of the year, nba mvp, sports
## Wembanyama's 2025-26 season
Wembanyama led the Spurs to the 2026 NBA Finals before losing to the Knicks in five games.
## 2026-27 season expectations
Wembanyama is the favorite to win NBA MVP honors, and the Spurs are the favorites to win the 2027 championship.
## Fan perception shift
Wembanyama earned a 'dirty' label after clocking Naz Reid with an elbow and shoving Jalen Brunson in the NBA Finals.
## 60 Minutes interview
Wembanyama said he didn't care about the 'villain' label because he was focused on playing basketball during the Finals.

> No, it didn't because I'm not paying attention to this, during the Finals. I don't think any player on either team really is.
## Wembanyama's reflection
Wembanyama admitted he crossed the line between competitiveness and physicality but wants to better understand how to play without crossing it.

> It showed my limits more than anything else. Going out there, you need to play basketball. You don't need to beat the s, - out of people.
## Key takeaway

Wembanyama says he ignored the 'villain' label after NBA Finals but admits he crossed the line between competitiveness and physicality.