Wembanyama. I'm concerned

[bkohler]

Who would you rather have?

Player A: 20.3 ppg
4.4 trb
2.4 ast
1.0 stl
0.9 blk
.430 fga
.288 3pt
.873 ft
.451 efg

Or Player B:
18.6 ppg
9.3 trb
2.5 ast
1.0 stl
2.4 blk
.432 fga
.283 3pt
.766 ft
.480 efg

Or Player C:
20.9
5.5
5.9
1.6
0.7
.417
.290
.754
.438

Two of them were the second or third-best player in the league in their third year. The other is Wemby.

I think he's doing just fine. Also, his three-point percentage is in the same realm as Damian Lillard, Klay Thompson, and Bradley Beal this year. At some point, you've just got to say this is a small sample-size theatre.

[Dick Tate]

This is not supposed to be a reactionary thread...

Yet...

[dockingsched]

I don’t understand how anyone can watch his form, movement, body control, handles, defensive abilities, physical tools, and be concerned.

[D.Brasco]

His development as a player always mirrored Giannis more than it mirrored Lebron. If you expected him to come into his first year as an immediate MVP candidate then you weren't really paying attention.

Bingo. He's a good long term prospect but he's been set up to fail by being the most hyped rookie since LeBron.

Let's compare them at the same stages. LeBron was a true man child, coming in at a chiseled 245 lbs as an 18 year old rookie. Wemby came into the league at 7'4" and 209 lbs!

His body is still quite far from being developed. He's gonna need a few years still like Giannis did. He's likely at risk of injury if they try to rush that process tbh

[The Real Dalic]

To be fair, Paolo also shot only 42% and 31% from 3 last season. He's already up to 45% and 40% in just his second season. It takes time for rookies. Wemby should be fine as he matures and evolves as a player.

[Miami_Lux]

I think some level setting was in order. You have WOJ saying he’s expected to be the best offensive player in the NBA by his third season. That was an OUTRAGEOUS statement.

Anchoring expected offensive production to guys like Curry, Durant, Jokic, LeBron, Embiid, Harden, Doncic is foolish - he’s not even close to their skill sets.

I think if he develops a lot he has a chance to be a really good offensive player, but he came into the league

1. A bad shooter
2. Extremely weak
3. Good enough passer / BBIQ / etc but nothing game breaking
4. Good touch but not elite
5. OK handle but not elite
6. Most importantly - a play style resembling Durant / Dirk but not the skillset or coordination to execute it

I expect him to be a dynamite offensive player eventually, but he’s going to have to score most of his points at or near the hoop. I think at his peak he will be closer to a top 10-20 offensive player than a top 3.

Admittedly my opinion is tainted by the unrealistically high expectations that have been set on Wemby. That s not necessarily his fault but we have to evaluate these claims and compare them to his actual level of play. I think he will be a very good player and I think his impact will be similar to Porzingis. I think he will he be a better defender than Porzingis (and probably one of the best in the NBA). Offensively I just don t think he ll reach that superstar level.
Of course I could be wrong and he ll become an indestructible force.

[Miami_Lux]

To be fair, Paolo also shot only 42% and 31% from 3 last season. He's already up to 45% and 40% in just his second season. It takes time for rookies. Wemby should be fine as he matures and evolves as a player.

But is Paolo Banchero the measuring stick for Wemby? Shouldn t the greatest rookie of all time be better than Paola Banchero in his first season?

[Miami_Lux]

I don’t understand how anyone can watch his form, movement, body control, handles, defensive abilities, physical tools, and be concerned.

I disagree with the handles. His ball handling is very suspect, to say the least.

[theforumblue]

Wemby doesn't even know what he is yet. Teams will adjust, then he'll adjust, back amd forth few times, then he'll know.

[zero rings]

I don’t understand how anyone can watch his form, movement, body control, handles, defensive abilities, physical tools, and be concerned.

Basketball is about more than just physical tools. If Wemby is a bad shooter, as the numbers suggest, he’s going to fall way short of expectations.

[JustBuzzin]

You guys over hyped Wemby.

He's not a generational player. LeBron was generational. Shaq was generational.


Look at those guys in their rookie season they dominated from jump. Wemby is more of a project if surrounded by talent he could be special.

[The Real Dalic]

To be fair, Paolo also shot only 42% and 31% from 3 last season. He's already up to 45% and 40% in just his second season. It takes time for rookies. Wemby should be fine as he matures and evolves as a player.

But is Paolo Banchero the measuring stick for Wemby? Shouldn t the greatest rookie of all time be better than Paola Banchero in his first season?

Well, considering Paolo just had one of the greatest rookie campaigns ever, comparable to LeBron, Durant, and Luka, I'd say it's okay to compare them.

Also, lets say he isn't comparable. That makes it look better for Wemby that a player you don't think is anywhere as good was able to turn the effeciency up in only his second season.

[Saints14]

I have zero concerns with him long-term, unless maybe you expected him to be the next GOAT (I think it's more likely he'll be an Embiid-level of player, which is certainly no knock). He's a teenager being asked to "explore the studio space" instead of actually play winning basketball, it's not surprising his efficiency stinks right now. Given the flashes he's shown, it's still scary to think about how good he can be in 3 years, but (again, comparing him only to the ridiculously high expectations set) if he's "only" a 33% 3P shooter and/or not much more than a 1:1 A/TO guy, his ceiling might not be quite as high as hoped

In any case Chet is the better rookie right now as far as impact on winning goes

[og15]

Who would you rather have?

Player A: 20.3 ppg
4.4 trb
2.4 ast
1.0 stl
0.9 blk
.430 fga
.288 3pt
.873 ft
.451 efg

Or Player B:
18.6 ppg
9.3 trb
2.5 ast
1.0 stl
2.4 blk
.432 fga
.283 3pt
.766 ft
.480 efg

Or Player C:
20.9
5.5
5.9
1.6
0.7
.417
.290
.754
.438

Two of them were the second or third-best player in the league in their third year. The other is Wemby.

I think he's doing just fine. Also, his three-point percentage is in the same realm as Damian Lillard, Klay Thompson, and Bradley Beal this year. At some point, you've just got to say this is a small sample-size theatre.

Beal has played three games, so he doesn't count, but regardless, his rookie 3PT% is not really going to indicate how good of a shooter he will be from 3PT, even next season.

Here are some rookie 3PT percentages:
Durant: 28.8%
George: 29.7%
Chris Paul: 28.2%

Poor rookie 3PT% of a player who has solid form and shoots well from the FT line isn't telling us that this player won't be a good 3PT shooter in the future.

[Miami_Lux]

You guys over hyped Wemby.

He's not a generational player. LeBron was generational. Shaq was generational.


Look at those guys in their rookie season they dominated from jump. Wemby is more of a project if surrounded by talent he could be special.

Agreed. Wemby obviously has all the talent and physical tools but I just don t see superstar. Part of his initilal appeal was that he is Kevin Durant but 7 4 insted of 6 10. But Wemby can t shoot which severely limits his upside. Now you might say Giannis can t shoot and he is dominating the league. But Giannis is 6 11 and part of the reason he is so dominant is because he bulked up. Wemby can t bulk up, he is too tall and added weight will significantly increase his risk of injury.

[dirkforpres]

Wembanyama will be one of the GOATs... I just dont think Popovich is that good of a coach anymore. Hes not being used properly and Sochan at PG is just goofy

[bkohler]

You guys over hyped Wemby.

He's not a generational player. LeBron was generational. Shaq was generational.


Look at those guys in their rookie season they dominated from jump. Wemby is more of a project if surrounded by talent he could be special.

Agreed. Wemby obviously has all the talent and physical tools but I just don t see superstar. Part of his initilal appeal was that he is Kevin Durant but 7 4 insted of 6 10. But Wemby can t shoot which severely limits his upside. Now you might say Giannis can t shoot and he is dominating the league. But Giannis is 6 11 and part of the reason he is so dominant is because he bulked up. Wemby can t bulk up, he is too tall and added weight will significantly increase his risk of injury.

He's literally shooting better than Durant did as a rookie. That didn't seem to limit KD's upside.

[C0bR]

7'4 dude who thinks and plays like he is a 6'6 wing - jacking **** midrange jumpers, turning the ball over at record rate and even mostly camping out on the perimeter while playing defense

Screams soft and bad bball IQ and Pop is indulging him

[SNPA]

You guys over hyped Wemby.

He's not a generational player. LeBron was generational. Shaq was generational.


Look at those guys in their rookie season they dominated from jump. Wemby is more of a project if surrounded by talent he could be special.

Agreed. Wemby obviously has all the talent and physical tools but I just don t see superstar. Part of his initilal appeal was that he is Kevin Durant but 7 4 insted of 6 10. But Wemby can t shoot which severely limits his upside. Now you might say Giannis can t shoot and he is dominating the league. But Giannis is 6 11 and part of the reason he is so dominant is because he bulked up. Wemby can t bulk up, he is too tall and added weight will significantly increase his risk of injury.

Gonna regret these posts.

[ghillphx]

He's a rookie. How long you been watching basketball?