Last month, Stephen A. Smith said in his podcast that San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama “is here.” According to him, Wemby could win the MVP and the Defensive Player of the Year award this season. Wembanyama’s sizzling start since returning from a blood clot that cut his 2024-25 campaign short dazzled the “First Take” host.Although Wemby impressed Smith, the veteran sports TV personality saw limitations in what the lanky 7-foot-5 star could do. Smith told host Lonzo Ball on Tuesday, via the "Ball In The Family" podcast, what would happen to Wemby during Michael Jordan's era:“Want me to tell you what would happen to him? What happened to him last year? [Blood clots] would happen to him back in the day. You had cats who had a license to assault you.”Stephen A. Smith called Victor Wembanyama "special" in his late October podcast. Smith emphasized the Frenchman’s size, mobility and ball-handling that make him a nightmare to defenders.However, Smith does not see the lightly built Wembanyama having the same impact in the ‘90s when the NBA had different rules. Jordan was often beat up, particulary when he drove into the paint, during that time. Jordan's rivals, the Detroit Pistons, led by Isiah Thomas, Dennis Rodman, and Bill Laimbeer, remain the poster boys of that rough-and-tumble era.Victor Wembanyama sometimes struggles against well-built forwards and centers when the rules largely limit physical play. Stephen A. Smith claims Wemby would suffer a much worse beating in the bruising ‘90s.Spurs reportedly want to err with caution following Victor Wembanyama’s left calf strainVictor Wembanyama last played on Friday during the San Antonio Spurs’ 109-108 loss to the Golden State Warriors. Following a collision with Brandin Podziemski, the Spurs announced a day later that Wemby is dealing with a left calf strain. The superstar center will be re-evaluated in 2-3 weeks.Despite the report, Wembanyama has shown up in practice doing ball-handling work on the sidelines. Spurs insider Michael C. Wright reported on Tuesday regarding the Spurs’ stance on a potential return date for Wemby:"He looked great. You saw no discomfort, no limp, not even a wrap or a sleeve on that injured calf. But a team source told me that Victor Wembanyama feels just fine, but the plan is to sit him out for at least 2 weeks.”Playing through calf strains has been brutal for players over the past few seasons. Kevin Durant, Tyrese Haliburton and Damian Lillard are just three of multiple players who suffered devastating injuries after playing through calf injuries.The Spurs wanted to avoid that scenario by shelving Wembanyama until their franchise cornerstone is 100% ready.