In December last year, Victor Wembanyama became the youngest player to achieve 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game. He surpassed none other than Dwight Howard. “Broke my record! This guy is already great! Love to see it,” the ex-Lakers star had shared. By the time the season ended, Wemby had broken more records and earned the ROTY title. But his recent chess activity caught the world’s attention with people sending in challenges.
DH-12 wasn’t far behind, but in a hilarious behind-the-scenes clip, he trolls the Spurs star’s potential opponent.
“We got to get Wemby to come to the Philippines 
& play @mannypacquiao to see if he’s a real Chess player 
comment a if you want to see Wemby face off with Pacquiao 
,” the former NBA Champion captioned a video he uploaded on IG that showed him with boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, playing a game of chess.
The clip cuts to the only eight-division world champion saying, “Wembanyama is really big.” The French Phenom is 7 feet 2 inches tall, and Dwight Howard wasted no time trolling Pacquiao while praising Wemby.
“Oh, my God! He is so tall. He’s three of you!” Pacquiao rolled his eyes at that while the entire room started laughing. But Dwight Howard wasn’t done yet.
“Maybe 5,” he repeated thrice. The ‘PacMan’ stands at 5 feet 5 inches, so the joke is unrealistic. That’s why the boxing legend rolled his eyes over. But it’s not the only time the 3x DPOY challenged Wembanyama.
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Even on X, he sent a challenge: “Wemby, I got next, then you gotta play Pac-Man 
.”
It all started when the 20-year-old, after his domination against the Nets, issued a challenge: “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square Park to play chess? I’m there.” He played for an hour, and even the rain couldn’t wither away his hopes, as he ended with a 2-2 record.
Not the first time Dwight Howard sent a scathing challenge to the Spurs star
Being a former center, the former champion has praised Wembanyama multiple times; even claimed that with age on Wemby’s side, he could become a “top 5” player of all time. Yes, a place alongside Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and a few others that have received that praise.
But still, that didn’t stop Dwight Howard from tooting his own horn. “I’m busting Wemby up in the paint. What are you talking about? He is an alien, though. I will say that.”
During the conversation on the OG’s podcast, Howard also stated, “I would hit him in the chest. Make his shoulders clap, game is over with after that. All it took is two times. I’m telling you boom boom boom! and he’s going to the ground and then I got to deal with Pops.”
Howard seems to be moving away from the NBA team, as his recent interview suggests he wants more family time. But never say never! Even if not on the hardwood, through Wemby’s suggestion about a chess tournament of NBA players, fans could get a glimpse of this matchup.
The post Dwight Howard Pitches Victor Wembanyama Against Boxing Legend After Viral Chess Challenge appeared first on EssentiallySports.
