Wembanyama vs. Tatum: Who would you rather have for the 2024-25 season?

[UglyBugBall]

If Jokic could take Gordon & a bunch of scrubs to the 6 seed a couple of years ago then there is no reason why Wemby couldn’t take CP, Barnes & a bunch of scrubs to the playoffs as well if he’s already top 5 like some say ..

That Jokic team and rganization staff was deep with talent. This Spurs team has nothing.

Jokic took Denver to the playoffs a few years ago with a shoestring rotation.

I also don't agree the Spurs have 'nothing'. Their starting line-up next to Wemby is CP3, Vassell, Barnes and Sochan. I think there's a strong argument that those are all either average or above average players for their position. All 5 starters can defend, some qt an elite level, and it's an above average 3pt shooting team. They have some solid bench guys too.

You mean the season he got the 6 seed? Even with the injuries that team was deep. IMO, he shouldn't have gotten the MVP as that team should have been a top 4 team in the West. It wasn't the West it is today. The Spurs team is awful in comparison. They really only have CP3 who us ancient now. They have some below average starters around him, but certainly not enough to make a push for a top 10 seed.

[One_and_Done]

That Jokic team and rganization staff was deep with talent. This Spurs team has nothing.

Jokic took Denver to the playoffs a few years ago with a shoestring rotation.

I also don't agree the Spurs have 'nothing'. Their starting line-up next to Wemby is CP3, Vassell, Barnes and Sochan. I think there's a strong argument that those are all either average or above average players for their position. All 5 starters can defend, some qt an elite level, and it's an above average 3pt shooting team. They have some solid bench guys too.

You mean the season he got the 6 seed? Even with the injuries that team was deep. IMO, he shouldn't have gotten the MVP as that team should have been a top 4 team in the West. It wasn't the West it is today. The Spurs team is awful in comparison. They really only have CP3 who us ancient now. They have some below average starters around him, but certainly not enough to make a push for a top 10 seed.

That Nuggets team was starting bench players, and at times fringe NBA players. It was far from deep. Monte Morris? 35 yr old Jeff Green? Will Barton!? Campazzo! That was a shockingly weak rotation.

Calling Barnes, Vassell and Sochan 'awful' is silly. Have you watched these guys play.

[brackdan70]

27% who voted for Tatum are weird as hell

Why. We are talking next season only. You don’t get to keep Wemby as he grows into his prime.
It really depends on your team needs I would think.

[ryan in Maine]

People aren't taking the "for the '24-25 season" part of the equation into account. He's a sophomore player. He would definitely **** up your offense. You would have to hope those kinks are worked out like quick. Tatum can step into any lineup in the league close to seamlessly.

Honestly kinda wild people think a sophomore player wouldn't be a massive gamble over a veteran coming off his first championship.

Edit
Voting kinda makes sense. I bet it's mostly fans of contenders voting for Tatum. Other teams might really think they get more from Victor.

[wegotthabeet]

People aren't taking the "for the '24-25 season" part of the equation into account. He's a sophomore player. He would definitely **** up your offense. You would have to hope those kinks are worked out like quick. Tatum can step into any lineup in the league close to seamlessly.

Honestly kinda wild people think a sophomore player wouldn't be a massive gamble over a veteran coming off his first championship.

Edit
Voting kinda makes sense. I bet it's mostly fans of contenders voting for Tatum. Other teams might really think they get more from Victor.

Well said. I think people are expecting Wemby to make a massive leap and are voting accordingly. Tatum just isn’t dominant enough to not roll the dice on Wemby. Honestly expected it to be closer.

You would expect a team like Dallas to prefer Tatum for example but then you start thinking about Luka and Wemby in the pick and roll/pop and who’s stopping that? Lively and Wemby front court, who’s scoring on them in the paint? It’s hard to turn that down for a guy who won’t be your best player.

[srhcan]

27% who voted for Tatum are weird as hell

those guys are more like Boston fans than NBA fans. No sane NBA fan would pick Tatum over Wemby.

[JayMKE]

Wemby would look great on the Bucks

[srhcan]

Wemby would look great on the Bucks

Wemby + Giannis ? Thats a nightmare for other teams

[Above The Rim]

I know the poll results speak more to Wemby being a stud than knocking Tatum… but next season only, Tatum raises both the floor and ceiling of any team in the league more. Wemby’s time will come soon though

[Bleed-Green]

Wemby over any other player in the NBA. Even Jokic. There’s a legitimate non-zero chance that Wemby is the best player in the NBA as soon as this coming season.

I said this last season and was called a Jokic hater.

Sorry, but Wemby is something we never seen. The stuff he was doing as a rookie was flat out scary. I remember rookie LeBron and he was not close to the player Wemby was as a rookie.

I'm on record the Spurs will be in the Finals sooner than later. They will be a playoff team this season just because they signed CP3. He's going to do wonders for Wemby just watch. Wemby will finish top 5 in MVP voting this year.

Being a sub-par rebounder for his size is only scary for the team he is playing for to be honest. Honestly, stop with riding the guy's meat, any more and he will have to switch to WNBA

[Tacoma]

People aren't taking the "for the '24-25 season" part of the equation into account. He's a sophomore player. He would definitely **** up your offense. You would have to hope those kinks are worked out like quick. Tatum can step into any lineup in the league close to seamlessly.

Honestly kinda wild people think a sophomore player wouldn't be a massive gamble over a veteran coming off his first championship.

Edit
Voting kinda makes sense. I bet it's mostly fans of contenders voting for Tatum. Other teams might really think they get more from Victor.

Well said. I think people are expecting Wemby to make a massive leap and are voting accordingly. Tatum just isn’t dominant enough to not roll the dice on Wemby. Honestly expected it to be closer.

You would expect a team like Dallas to prefer Tatum for example but then you start thinking about Luka and Wemby in the pick and roll/pop and who’s stopping that? Lively and Wemby front court, who’s scoring on them in the paint? It’s hard to turn that down for a guy who won’t be your best player.

Wemby made NBA All-Defensive First Team (no rookie has ever done this) and was runner up DPOY. He doesn't need to take anywhere near a massive leap to be your defensive anchor, because he already is one. He completely alters opposing team's offense because anyone shooting within 10 ft of Wemby could have his shot blocked.

On offense, Wemby was Spurs highest scorer and a focus of opposing team's defense. On a team like Dallas, he could still average >20ppg because because his efficiency would go up due to the opposition defense being focused on Luka and Kyrie. Dallas takes Wemby over Tatum for defense alone.

The only teams that would take Tatum over Wemby would be one short of a #1 option but with already excellent defense. The only team that fits this description is probably the Boston Celtics because they'd need a #1 option without Tatum.

[TrueFan420]

there would hardly be a sophomore player in NBA history I’d take over a star in his prime who just won a chip.

Maybe Wemby ends up as a freak MVP talent next season but if you want to win a title you are seriously underestimating the development in young stars it takes.

Most of the greats had to struggle at some point in time before winning one.

You’re not wrong but Wemby likely falls into that category. Similar to Bron. Just special.

One other thing to account for is team fit too. If your OKC you’d likely take Tatum with Chet there. Rockets, Tatum with Sengun and Smith Jr. As a Warriors fan, I’d want Wemby. His size would be incredible and Wiggins and Kuminga wouldn’t fit well with Tatum. Tatum is better than them but wasting 2 players on a roster that contributed to a championship isn’t as ideal as taking advantage of what Wemby would add to our roster.

Young LeBron was still a very raw player and wasn’t ready to win a title for a number of years

But that’s not the question. It’s who’d you pick for 1 year and 1 year alone AND for your team. This player doesn’t have to be the guy depending on the team. They have to fit into an existing team and you’re not shuffling the team around because it’s just 1 year.

[Sweet Serenity]

27% who voted for Tatum are weird as hell

those guys are more like Boston fans than NBA fans. No sane NBA fan would pick Tatum over Wemby.

Would you be the saying the same thing if the Celtics win the chip again next year, Tatum wins FMVP & the Spurs miss the playoffs ?

Because that’s a very good possibility.

[Michael Beasley]

swap wemby and tatum spurs get worse celtics get better

[JustBuzzin]

Wemby over any other player in the NBA. Even Jokic. There’s a legitimate non-zero chance that Wemby is the best player in the NBA as soon as this coming season.

I said this last season and was called a Jokic hater.

Sorry, but Wemby is something we never seen. The stuff he was doing as a rookie was flat out scary. I remember rookie LeBron and he was not close to the player Wemby was as a rookie.

I'm on record the Spurs will be in the Finals sooner than later. They will be a playoff team this season just because they signed CP3. He's going to do wonders for Wemby just watch. Wemby will finish top 5 in MVP voting this year.

Being a sub-par rebounder for his size is only scary for the team he is playing for to be honest. Honestly, stop with riding the guy's meat, any more and he will have to switch to WNBA

I will continue to ride the meat.


Wemby got now not next. Stay tuned he's going to be in the MVP conversation this season.

[wegotthabeet]

People aren't taking the "for the '24-25 season" part of the equation into account. He's a sophomore player. He would definitely **** up your offense. You would have to hope those kinks are worked out like quick. Tatum can step into any lineup in the league close to seamlessly.

Honestly kinda wild people think a sophomore player wouldn't be a massive gamble over a veteran coming off his first championship.

Edit
Voting kinda makes sense. I bet it's mostly fans of contenders voting for Tatum. Other teams might really think they get more from Victor.

Well said. I think people are expecting Wemby to make a massive leap and are voting accordingly. Tatum just isn’t dominant enough to not roll the dice on Wemby. Honestly expected it to be closer.

You would expect a team like Dallas to prefer Tatum for example but then you start thinking about Luka and Wemby in the pick and roll/pop and who’s stopping that? Lively and Wemby front court, who’s scoring on them in the paint? It’s hard to turn that down for a guy who won’t be your best player.

Wemby made NBA All-Defensive First Team (no rookie has ever done this) and was runner up DPOY. He doesn't need to take anywhere near a massive leap to be your defensive anchor, because he already is one. He completely alters opposing team's offense because anyone shooting within 10 ft of Wemby could have his shot blocked.

On offense, Wemby was Spurs highest scorer and a focus of opposing team's defense. On a team like Dallas, he could still average >20ppg because because his efficiency would go up due to the opposition defense being focused on Luka and Kyrie. Dallas takes Wemby over Tatum for defense alone.

The only teams that would take Tatum over Wemby would be one short of a #1 option but with already excellent defense. The only team that fits this description is probably the Boston Celtics because they'd need a #1 option without Tatum.

You’re preaching to the choir here. Why do you think this thread exists?

[JHFVF07]

Ah yes the great Wemby that joined a tanking 22 win team & took them to a whopping 22 wins ..

It looks like most of you don’t understand what winning basketball is. You’re trying to convince me that apparently a top 10 player in the league can’t win more games than when they were tanking the year prior ? Starts to make you sound stupid when you’re convinced he could’ve been a #1 on a championship team hey ..

Looks you don’t understand basketball period. The league was FAR tougher this last season than the year before. We had 5 teams out West with 50 wins (almost six with the Suns at 49 wins) vs just 2 50 win teams in the West the season prior.

The only one sounding stupid here is you.

If you’re a “top 10 player” already I expect you to win more games for your team than they did the previous year. They were tanking too which makes it look worse that he couldn’t string at least one more win lol

He didnt start the season as a top10 player, but he improved a lot game to game, those who voted Wemby think he will be even better next year.

Spurs was tanking, you cant win a lot of games when your coach decides to check how Socchan does as the main ballhandler(PG). You could put prime Michael Jordan on that team and I doubt he could drag that team to 35 wins on that west conference.

[srhcan]

27% who voted for Tatum are weird as hell

those guys are more like Boston fans than NBA fans. No sane NBA fan would pick Tatum over Wemby.

Would you be the saying the same thing if the Celtics win the chip again next year, Tatum wins FMVP & the Spurs miss the playoffs ?

Because that’s a very good possibility.

of course. Wemby is a generational talent and I would not use just 1 season to go sour on him. Players like Tatum are dime a dozen.

[Impuniti]

For next season only, taking Wemby over anyone not named Jokic.

What is this based on, because it surely can't be under the assumption that 2nd year Wemby is going to be 2nd best player in the world. Surely not.

[Sweet Serenity]

those guys are more like Boston fans than NBA fans. No sane NBA fan would pick Tatum over Wemby.

Would you be the saying the same thing if the Celtics win the chip again next year, Tatum wins FMVP & the Spurs miss the playoffs ?

Because that’s a very good possibility.

of course. Wemby is a generational talent and I would not use just 1 season to go sour on him. Players like Tatum are dime a dozen.

But we’re talking about next season & next season only ?