Spurs coach fiercely defends Victor Wembanyama: 'It’s starting to get actually disgusting'

A few things to note here about Victor Wembanyama, and all of them can be true: In the NBA playoffs, especially when you're a generational superstar of his caliber, you're going to get physicality thrown at you.

But it's also true that the center's elbow to the throat of Naz Reid -- which the Minnesota Timberwolves forward brushed off -- crossed the line and warrants a suspension. And it's also correct for his coach to thread the needle through all of that and defend his player.

That was the case with Mitch Johnson after Game 4 of the playoff series. The San Antonio Spurs coach defended Wembanyama after the elbow, but was careful about not praising the violent play specifically.

WARNING: Some NSFW language ahead:

What Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said about the Victor Wembanyama elbow

He added this: “At some level, it’s starting to get actually disgusting, just in terms of when he tries to fight through things and be professional and mature and deal with some of that stuff."

While he did say he wanted to be clear that the elbow wasn't OK, but that Wembanyama has to proect himself.

There's a line somewhere that Wemby will learn not to cross, and maybe Johnson can help him find it.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Victor Wembanyama defended by Spurs' Mitch Johnson after elbow, ejection