More physically gifted: 21 year old Wemby or 21 year old LeBron

[LeBronSpaghetti]

I think people have forgotten what young LeBron was like

[Patches Perry]

Its hard to answer without knowing how healthy Wemby will be through his career. LeBron's durability is as freakish as his speed, power and force.

[Mephariel]

How is this even a question?!

It’s obviously the 7’5+ guy with the mobility of a guard/forward. It literally has never been seen before and unlikely to be seen again. LeBron is more talented but guys like Shawn Kemp, Dominique Wilkins, Larry Johnson etc are at least within the realm physically. No one was/is moving like Vic.

Tbh if we’re purely talking about being physically gifted (skill aside), Shaq vs Wemby is more interesting.

Nah, Wemby all the way. Shaq's physical gifts made him special in one era of basketball. But Wemby's physical gifts would have allowed him to succeed in any era. I would argue Lebron is more physically gifted as well. He is the only one out of the 3 that has proven he can dominate in multiple eras.

Idk I think you’re blurring skill level and Shaq’s own lack of commitment to his body in that. We’re purely talking physical attributes. It’s crazy how mobile Shaq was for a guy as big & insanely powerful as he was.

Let’s say for instance someone had Shaq’s body but could shoot & had a handle, idk how anyone would stop that…or better yet…

If each of their body types had the exact same skill level - I don’t see how it wouldn’t be between Shaq and Wemby.



Edit: Let me remind you Embiid who is not as agile, couldn't jump as high and also not as strong as Shaq but is roughly the same size absolutely worked Wemby for 70 points....

Watch on YouTube

Now imagine someone that big and skilled was also faster, stronger and jumped higher - that's the point.

Shooting and handling requires athleticism, and is part of the physical gift equation. Dexterity is part of the physical equation. Wemby is clearly built more mobile and agile than Shaq. Same with Lebron.

[JinKaz69]

Physically gifted ? LeBron easily.

height is a physical gift too

True.
Wemby is also pretty fast, mobile and agile as a 7,4 tall player.

Maybe I'm too exigent but for me he lacks strength and a bit of explosivity so I can't put so far on the same group of LeBron, MJ, young Shaq, D-Rob...

He is still very young though. He's gonna bulk up and get stronger the upcoming years.

[PhilBlackson]

Nah, Wemby all the way. Shaq's physical gifts made him special in one era of basketball. But Wemby's physical gifts would have allowed him to succeed in any era. I would argue Lebron is more physically gifted as well. He is the only one out of the 3 that has proven he can dominate in multiple eras.

Idk I think you’re blurring skill level and Shaq’s own lack of commitment to his body in that. We’re purely talking physical attributes. It’s crazy how mobile Shaq was for a guy as big & insanely powerful as he was.

Let’s say for instance someone had Shaq’s body but could shoot & had a handle, idk how anyone would stop that…or better yet…

If each of their body types had the exact same skill level - I don’t see how it wouldn’t be between Shaq and Wemby.



Edit: Let me remind you Embiid who is not as agile, couldn't jump as high and also not as strong as Shaq but is roughly the same size absolutely worked Wemby for 70 points....

Watch on YouTube

Now imagine someone that big and skilled was also faster, stronger and jumped higher - that's the point.

Shooting and handling requires athleticism, and is part of the physical gift equation. Dexterity is part of the physical equation. Wemby is clearly built more mobile and agile than Shaq. Same with Lebron.

No shooting and handling are NOT a part of the PHYSICAL gift equation - those are SKILLS, not physical advantages they were born with ie/ Jokic can do all of those things...and those are SKILLS that players work on, they are not BORN with those as PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES of their bodies.

Also just as they are more mobile/agile, neither of them are anywhere near as strong/powerful.

Again you need to forget the existing skillset each guy has. We're talking purely about their physical attributes. If each BODY TYPE had the SAME skill level, then again this would be a discussion between the 2 guys who are incredibly mobile for the gigantic size, it's just a battle of strength vs length (Embiid showed it's possible the stronger of the two could actually be the better of them and again he wasn't anywhere near as nimble/quick as Shaq or as strong).

To settle this...a player can go the gym and work on improving their jumper, handle etc. because those are SKILLS. But a player can not go to the gym to make themselves 7'5 and super agile, they can not go to the gym to become 7'2 and over 300pds and still move with the relative quickness Shaq did because those are PHYSICAL GIFTS they were born with.

[Doctor MJ]

Wemby has the incredible height and length while still having guard like touch.

Young LeBron had never before seen speed, strength, and explosiveness for a guy in a 6’9’’ frame.

Both guys have been described as physical specimens never seen before in the history of the league.

To me the question is about the Wemby's physical weaknesses that we don't yet know the scale of - I don't know if I've ever thought "Please stop growing!!!" about a basketball player before, but that's how I feel about Wemby right now. It is entirely possible that Wemby is going to have major injury issues that cripple his career, while LeBron has been the most durable player in the history of basketball.

But if Wemby doesn't have major health issues, he sure seems like the GOAT physical basketball talent to me.

[The Master]

To me the question is about the Wemby's physical weaknesses that we don't yet know the scale of - I don't know if I've ever thought "Please stop growing!!!" about a basketball player before, but that's how I feel about Wemby right now. It is entirely possible that Wemby is going to have major injury issues that cripple his career, while LeBron has been the most durable player in the history of basketball.

But if Wemby doesn't have major health issues, he sure seems like the GOAT physical basketball talent to me.

Yeah, to be honest, for me it's pretty hard to REALLY get into Wembanyama - as great as he is - considering that we've never seen anyone like him and his physical profile can easily impact his long term projection and longevity. 7'5 guy sprinting all over the court and casually playing on perimeter, having 15-year long career? Maybe in 6-7 years we'll be able to correctly assess questions like the one in this thread.

Re: thread - I think LeBron has always had underrated skillset as a player and people attributed a bit too much to his athleticism than they should. He's a GOAT-level athlete for his position, no question about that, but e.g. Giannis as a player IMHO is a tier better athlete and couple of these freakish big men will be always ahead of LBJ in this regard, Wemby included if he stays healthy.

[Lalouie]

for their height,,,wemby

the only player to play exactly like him was sampson. however it has to be said that that wmby is a product of his era,,,sampson wasn't.

lebron is gifted as an irresistable force - like shaq. but there have been many "MEN" types, if you know what i mean

the thing wemby needs to be well rounded is as a passer but that is god-given so it aint happening

wemby's height is more awe-inspiring than lebron's mass. wemby is a gazelle and easy to look at, actually maybe more of a giraffe where lebron is a bull. ZION is more physically gifted than lebron, as was sir charles,,,in that irresistable force kinda way. baron davis was a 6'2 version of 6'8/255 lebron

and wemby is also way more self aware than lebron at the same age

[Handlez]

Wemby has a great game and suddenly he's LeBron lol.

Please.

This likely won't last.

[Memories]

If I had to pick having a Wemby body or a LeBron body? Wemby pretty easy…at least for Basketball.

For everything else in life? Lebron body.

[HMFFL]

Wemby has a great game and suddenly he's LeBron lol.

Please.

This likely won't last.

Shrinking or an injury is the only thing stopping Wemby.

[Mephariel]

Idk I think you’re blurring skill level and Shaq’s own lack of commitment to his body in that. We’re purely talking physical attributes. It’s crazy how mobile Shaq was for a guy as big & insanely powerful as he was.

Let’s say for instance someone had Shaq’s body but could shoot & had a handle, idk how anyone would stop that…or better yet…

If each of their body types had the exact same skill level - I don’t see how it wouldn’t be between Shaq and Wemby.



Edit: Let me remind you Embiid who is not as agile, couldn't jump as high and also not as strong as Shaq but is roughly the same size absolutely worked Wemby for 70 points....

Watch on YouTube

Now imagine someone that big and skilled was also faster, stronger and jumped higher - that's the point.

Shooting and handling requires athleticism, and is part of the physical gift equation. Dexterity is part of the physical equation. Wemby is clearly built more mobile and agile than Shaq. Same with Lebron.

No shooting and handling are NOT a part of the PHYSICAL gift equation - those are SKILLS, not physical advantages they were born with ie/ Jokic can do all of those things...and those are SKILLS that players work on, they are not BORN with those as PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES of their bodies.

Also just as they are more mobile/agile, neither of them are anywhere near as strong/powerful.

Again you need to forget the existing skillset each guy has. We're talking purely about their physical attributes. If each BODY TYPE had the SAME skill level, then again this would be a discussion between the 2 guys who are incredibly mobile for the gigantic size, it's just a battle of strength vs length (Embiid showed it's possible the stronger of the two could actually be the better of them and again he wasn't anywhere near as nimble/quick as Shaq or as strong).

To settle this...a player can go the gym and work on improving their jumper, handle etc. because those are SKILLS. But a player can not go to the gym to make themselves 7'5 and super agile, they can not go to the gym to become 7'2 and over 300pds and still move with the relative quickness Shaq did because those are PHYSICAL GIFTS they were born with.

Of course shooting and handling are part of the physical gift equation. You shoot with the mechanics of your body. If you have stiff hips, stiff hands, and you can't smoothly bring the ball up, then you are not going to able to shoot consistently. And with ball handling, that takes hand eye coordination. It is like pitcher throwing a fast ball. Yes, you need strength, but you also need great vision. Many top level baseball players and golf players have great vision. Shaq just doesn't have the mobility as Wemby. Can you see Shaq taking a step back three after a behind the back dribble like Wemby? No.

It is like saying punching hard in MMA is not about physical attributes, because you can learn how to punch. Of course it is. I actually done a lot of boxing myself years ago, and some guys just hit harder others. It is not a training thing. Some guys just have heavy hands.

I can go to the gym and improve my handles. Will I ever handle the ball like Kobe? Or Iverson? Or Irving? Hell no. In order to dribble at a high level, you need great hand-eye coordination, strength, agility, and explosiveness. I don't have any of those in great level.

I don't think Shaq has the agility of Wemby to do the moves that he is doing. I don't think he has the mechanical smoothness of Wemby to hit a three point shot in a game consistently, no matter how much he trains.

[jbk1234]

Wemby looked pretty unstoppable against a team with AD, Lively, Gafford, and Flagg. Like I watched that game and tried to think of how to scheme against him, and I didn't come up with any good answers. I hadn't see anything like it since LBJ's Game 5 against the Pistons when just carved up a team with Webber, Wallace, Prince, and Hamilton on it.

[sashaturiaf]

If you take durability into account it's Lebron.

Wemby has otherworldly physical ability but I don't trust this build can hold up when teams try to get physical/dirty with him. And they will, since that's the only way to counter him.

[D.Brasco]

Factoring durability, LeBron. He was one of the most durable players playing high minutes even, in his younger days.

[Old_Blue]

Even in his prime, Lebron could be neutralized by a good defender like Iguodala. Lebron himself wouldn't argue the point. Hence the career spent chasing super teams. Wemby, on the other hand, is a whole other breed of animal. The defense, the rim protection and the offensive inside game (smart move working with Hakeem Olajuwon during the offseason) are already there. But, it's the three point shot - as it continues to develop - that is going to make Wemby unstoppable. One of these years not too long from now, it wouldn't surprise me one bit to see him put up a 60/40/90 stat line over the course of a full season. This kid is capable of that kind of efficiency. At which point, Wemby will be carrying a lot of teams deep into the playoffs, regardless of the amount of help he gets.

[dballislife]

did lebron make it look this easy though omg it looks way way too easy for wemby and hes not even in his prime

[UcanUwill]

Physically gifted ? LeBron easily.

WTF? How can anyone vote LeBron here, Victor is most physically gifted player ever, and the margin between him and whoever is second place is huge. This is not even a debate, its Victor by astronomical margins.

What made LeBron special was his skill and IQ in that body, but the body abilities itself we have seen in many players. Theres never been anyone even close to what Victor is physically, and probably never will be.

I understand durability concerns, but it is more assumption. People just do not believe this kind of insane physical athlete can stay healthy, but it is assumption, so far Victor had a bloodcloth, but no actual serious injuries. I get LeBrons durability is unprecedented, but Victor has such a huge lead everywhere else, he just needs average durability and he clears this with ease.

[NoStatsGuy]

they are both pretty peak when it comes to physical gifts.

i wanna say lebron because he also never really got hurt and plays for so long.
I think 21 year old lebron was just as unstoppable as wemby, purely because of his speed, strength and size. Seems like people forgot how dominant lebron was just running to the rim, literally noone could stop him. its not like he had good moves, he just overpowered everybody.

Wemby has the length+coordination and shooting touch (is that a gift or good practice? i wouldnt be able to tell) over lebron. but thats all. i think this question cant be answered. Its a matter of what you prefer. Both players at age 21 seemed to be "unfair" because of their physical tools

[NoStatsGuy]

Of course shooting and handling are part of the physical gift equation. You shoot with the mechanics of your body. If you have stiff hips, stiff hands, and you can't smoothly bring the ball up, then you are not going to able to shoot consistently. And with ball handling, that takes hand eye coordination. It is like pitcher throwing a fast ball. Yes, you need strength, but you also need great vision. Many top level baseball players and golf players have great vision. Shaq just doesn't have the mobility as Wemby. Can you see Shaq taking a step back three after a behind the back dribble like Wemby? No.

It is like saying punching hard in MMA is not about physical attributes, because you can learn how to punch. Of course it is. I actually done a lot of boxing myself years ago, and some guys just hit harder others. It is not a training thing. Some guys just have heavy hands.

I can go to the gym and improve my handles. Will I ever handle the ball like Kobe? Or Iverson? Or Irving? Hell no. In order to dribble at a high level, you need great hand-eye coordination, strength, agility, and explosiveness. I don't have any of those in great level.

I don't think Shaq has the agility of Wemby to do the moves that he is doing. I don't think he has the mechanical smoothness of Wemby to hit a three point shot in a game consistently, no matter how much he trains.

I dont agree with your definition at all.

the punching comparision is just not it. Ask any boxer/fighter and they will tell you technique is all that matters. And you can improve your technique.
How hard you hit in a boxing or mma match just has so many variables. Timing, momentuum of opponent, precision.. thats what defines how hard a shot in a fight is. It has very little to do with being gifted physically.

i dont know.. "physical gift". the term in itself should answer that to be honest. because a gift is a gift, that you have 0 influence on.

handling the ball, shooting the ball, passing the ball are all skills that you can learn and improve on. does that mean you will be able to handle the ball like kyrie? for sure not, because you dont have that talent.

being talented and being gifted is not neccessarily the same.