Full Breakdown
Victor Wembanyama’s Near-Unanimous All-NBA First-Team Selection Stymed by One Dissenting Voter
5/27/2026, 1:17:50 AM
The Lone Dissent: Justin Termine’s Position-Based Vote
In the 2026 All-NBA First-Team voting, Victor Wembanyama received 99 of 100 first-team votes, falling short of unanimity because SiriusXM NBA Radio host Justin Termine placed him on the Second Team. Termine’s ballot was the sole dissent in a pool that otherwise honored Wembanyama alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic.
Historical Voting Rules
Until the 2023-24 season the All-NBA ballot required one center per team, a rule that once forced legends such as Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain onto second-team or off the ballot. The league adopted a positionless format after Nikola Jokic repeatedly pushed MVP runner-up Joel Embiid to the Second Team, permitting multiple centers to be named First Team.
Data & Statistics: Wembanyama’s Season and Vote Totals
Wembanyama averaged 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.08 blocks per game, joining a seven-player elite that has reached a 25-10-3 line. He earned a unanimous Defensive Player of the Year award and finished third in MVP voting. On the All-NBA ballot Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic each received 100 first-team votes; Wembanyama received 99, with a single second-team vote from Justin Termine.
Official Position: NBA’s Stance on Positionless Voting
The NBA adopted a positionless voting format in 2023-24 to ensure the league’s best players receive honors regardless of traditional lineups. The guidelines prohibit assigning players to specific positions, and the league has not issued an official comment on Termine’s rationale.
Criticism & Opposition: Pushback Against Termine’s Approach
Analysts contend Termine is clinging to an outdated rule, effectively penalizing a historic season for a player widely viewed as top-five talent. Critics warn that personal voting philosophies could shape future ballots, influencing contract bonuses and Hall-of-Fame debates tied to unanimous selections.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I think [Wembanyama's] a better player than SGA right now. I think he is the best player in the world right now,” — Justin Termine, SiriusXM NBA Radio host
- “This year [Wembanyama] was the second-best center, and I vote by position.” — Justin Termine
- “In my opinion it is unfair historically to those who came before us, who I have great respect for, that those guys at center were not allowed to be on the First Team at the same time,” — Justin Termine
- “This rule of voting without going by position, I think it’s done a great disservice to the history of the sport.” — Justin Termine
Why It Matters: Implications for History and Player Compensation
A unanimous All-NBA selection influences Hall-of-Fame arguments and triggers contract bonuses linked to first-team honors. Termine’s deviation from the positionless system highlights tension between preserving historical fairness and modern evaluation, raising questions about future voting integrity.
What’s Next: Playoffs and Potential NBA Review
The Spurs entered Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals tied 2-2 with the Oklahoma City Thunder after Wembanyama’s 33-point Game 4. Observers suggest the NBA may revisit voting guidelines if similar dissent recurs, and Commissioner Adam Silver could reinforce the positionless rule.
