Wembanyama, I'm concerned (Part 2)

[sikma42]

There really is no comp for him.

We're conditioned to always compare a player to someone else, but there is no comparison for Wembanyama.

He is the best rim protector of all time, he can get to shots that no one else can reach. He has the ability to shoot 38% (or better) from three on a more selective shot diet. He handles the ball in the pick and roll, even brings it up after a made basket like John flippin' Stockton. He isn't a stat padder - he plays an unselfish game and is interested in winning more than anything else.

"The ceiling is the roof"

Thats what I'm saying. Lot of people are preconditioned to think he's doing things well for a big guy. But we need to move out of that framework.

Wemby is exhibiting things in his handle, perimeter footwork and spatial awareness that are unusual for EVERYONE. When i watched him work out with Hakeem in those clips, thats the thing that stood out to me. He seemed like the only one (this includes Kobe, Lebron, Dwight etc) to actually get the concepts that he explaining. And this tracks, everyone who works with him says he picks up things insanely fast.

Like I've said from the beginning of this thread. People need to be careful not to put Wemby in a box. He's too talented for that. Whatever rules apply 99.999% of basketball players, he might just be the exception to a lot of those. Just have to observe and question this preconditions before just trying to shackle his game.

[Handlez]

There really is no comp for him.

We're conditioned to always compare a player to someone else, but there is no comparison for Wembanyama.

He is the best rim protector of all time, he can get to shots that no one else can reach. He has the ability to shoot 38% (or better) from three on a more selective shot diet. He handles the ball in the pick and roll, even brings it up after a made basket like John flippin' Stockton. He isn't a stat padder - he plays an unselfish game and is interested in winning more than anything else.

"The ceiling is the roof"

Thats what I'm saying. Lot of people are preconditioned to think he's doing things well for a big guy. But we need to move out of that framework.

Wemby is exhibiting things in his handle, perimeter footwork and spatial awareness that are unusual for EVERYONE. When i watched him work out with Hakeem in those clips, thats the thing that stood out to me. He seemed like the only one (this includes Kobe, Lebron, Dwight etc) to actually get the concepts that he explaining. And this tracks, everyone who works with him says he picks up things insanely fast.

Like I've said from the beginning of this thread. People need to be careful not to put Wemby in a box. He's too talented for that. Whatever rules apply 99.999% of basketball players, he might just be the exception to a lot of those. Just have to observe and question this preconditions before just trying to shackle his game.

Kobe’s post game was elite.

He absolutely understood Hakeem.

[BlazersBroncos]

There really is no comp for him.

We're conditioned to always compare a player to someone else, but there is no comparison for Wembanyama.

He is the best rim protector of all time, he can get to shots that no one else can reach. He has the ability to shoot 38% (or better) from three on a more selective shot diet. He handles the ball in the pick and roll, even brings it up after a made basket like John flippin' Stockton. He isn't a stat padder - he plays an unselfish game and is interested in winning more than anything else.

"The ceiling is the roof"

Thats what I'm saying. Lot of people are preconditioned to think he's doing things well for a big guy. But we need to move out of that framework.

Wemby is exhibiting things in his handle, perimeter footwork and spatial awareness that are unusual for EVERYONE. When i watched him work out with Hakeem in those clips, thats the thing that stood out to me. He seemed like the only one (this includes Kobe, Lebron, Dwight etc) to actually get the concepts that he explaining. And this tracks, everyone who works with him says he picks up things insanely fast.

Like I've said from the beginning of this thread. People need to be careful not to put Wemby in a box. He's too talented for that. Whatever rules apply 99.999% of basketball players, he might just be the exception to a lot of those. Just have to observe and question this preconditions before just trying to shackle his game.

Ya there really isnt anyone to compare Wemby with. He is without a doubt the most unique physical specimen in the history of this league. Its not really close either. If he stays healthy he is going to be the GOAT - I just dont think he stays healthy unfortunately.

[zimpy27]

Preseason games have been very encouraging.

His offensive game looks better than it did in his first 2 seasons. Of course it's just preseason, so we wait and see.

[D.Brasco]

I just hope medical and sports science has progressed enough that a player significantly over 7'3" can have a mostly injury free career that doesn't get cut short.

Above 7'2" has always been a limit historically for a big man to have a long healthy career.

[zimpy27]

I just hope medical and sports science has progressed enough that a player significantly over 7'3" can have a mostly injury free career that doesn't get cut short.

Above 7'2" has always been a limit historically for a big man to have a long healthy career.

He's already had significant injury.
Medical science is not built for people his size.

But Wemby seems like he's committed to playing a long career. He will face injury but he will come back.

[SHAQ32]

Are the Spurs going to finally win some games?

[D.Brasco]

I just hope medical and sports science has progressed enough that a player significantly over 7'3" can have a mostly injury free career that doesn't get cut short.

Above 7'2" has always been a limit historically for a big man to have a long healthy career.

He's already had significant injury.
Medical science is not built for people his size.

But Wemby seems like he's committed to playing a long career. He will face injury but he will come back.

Yeah, his injury last season put a bit of damper on things. He does have the right mindset and seems to be doing what he can to stay healthy in the body he's in.

[Rust_Cohle]

Are the Spurs going to finally win some games?

If healthy they'll be a 6th seed. More talented than they have been in probably 8-10 years.

[Rust_Cohle]

Preseason games have been very encouraging.

His offensive game looks better than it did in his first 2 seasons. Of course it's just preseason, so we wait and see.

I love his aggressiveness at the rim now. I didn't mind his 3's, but he looks so much more comfortable around the rim and using Giannis like moves with his length. Hakeem has done wonders, but let's see how the season plays out.

[zimpy27]

Preseason games have been very encouraging.

His offensive game looks better than it did in his first 2 seasons. Of course it's just preseason, so we wait and see.

I love his aggressiveness at the rim now. I didn't mind his 3's, but he looks so much more comfortable around the rim and using Giannis like moves with his length. Hakeem has done wonders, but let's see how the season plays out.

Yeah that's what I was most encouraged by. He could get close to 40 pts per 100 this season.

[tsherkin]

A 7’5” KD with more grit to his game is just dumb.

Excited to see it, though.

Nothing about his game really resembles KD at all.

Just a tall skinny guy with perimeter skills is their only comp.

Right. And maybe the wildest shot blocker of all-time. Certainly the most mobile guy anywhere near that height. And with thay range.

Not really KD, but a pretty wild archetype on his own.

[KillMonger]

I just hope medical and sports science has progressed enough that a player significantly over 7'3" can have a mostly injury free career that doesn't get cut short.

Above 7'2" has always been a limit historically for a big man to have a long healthy career.

feel the same way, it would be a shame to be robbed of a talent like this.....however if you look at history players that tall don't tend to have very long careers

[tsherkin]

I just hope medical and sports science has progressed enough that a player significantly over 7'3" can have a mostly injury free career that doesn't get cut short.

Above 7'2" has always been a limit historically for a big man to have a long healthy career.

feel the same way, it would be a shame to be robbed of a talent like this.....however if you look at history players that tall don't tend to have very long careers

Excellent sentiment. 15 relatively healthy years of Wemby would be AMAZING to watch.

[KillMonger]

I just hope medical and sports science has progressed enough that a player significantly over 7'3" can have a mostly injury free career that doesn't get cut short.

Above 7'2" has always been a limit historically for a big man to have a long healthy career.

feel the same way, it would be a shame to be robbed of a talent like this.....however if you look at history players that tall don't tend to have very long careers

Excellent sentiment. 15 relatively healthy years of Wemby would be AMAZING to watch.

yeah, i'm tired of seeing what if's....tired of seeing careers cut short....i mean we were robbed with Yao Ming, grant hill, brandon roy....hope that wemby learned some secret training with the shaolin that will keep him healthy long term

[tsherkin]

yeah, i'm tired of seeing what if's....tired of seeing careers cut short....i mean we were robbed with Yao Ming, grant hill, brandon roy....hope that wemby learned some secret training with the shaolin that will keep him healthy long term

It's the nature of the sport. Durability is an important ability, you know?

Roy was injured before he started. Yao had too many overseas obligations, so there was some degree of "we all knew this was coming" with him as well. Grant Hill had a freak injury that destroyed his stardom, though he managed to play a long time after that and had a nice renaissance in Phoenix as a roleplayer.

Wemby shoots a lot of jumpers. A LOT of 3s. If he can find a nice balance between the faceup game and the perimeter game, he should theoretically be okay if his feet hold up.

[DwayneSchintzus]

it's just fun to watch the naysayers continually move the goalposts in this thread.

a great study of human psychology lol

[OriAr]

yeah, i'm tired of seeing what if's....tired of seeing careers cut short....i mean we were robbed with Yao Ming, grant hill, brandon roy....hope that wemby learned some secret training with the shaolin that will keep him healthy long term

It's the nature of the sport. Durability is an important ability, you know?

Roy was injured before he started. Yao had too many overseas obligations, so there was some degree of "we all knew this was coming" with him as well. Grant Hill had a freak injury that destroyed his stardom, though he managed to play a long time after that and had a nice renaissance in Phoenix as a roleplayer.

Wemby shoots a lot of jumpers. A LOT of 3s. If he can find a nice balance between the faceup game and the perimeter game, he should theoretically be okay if his feet hold up.

Assuming the clot issues won't come back (And there is a reason to think they won't), I think Wemby could have a relatively healthy career.
He probably will never be an iron man, but I think he can do 10+ seasons of 70+ games, which is fine in the modern NBA now that load managing is fairly accepted.

[tsherkin]

Assuming the clot issues won't come back (And there is a reason to think they won't), I think Wemby could have a relatively healthy career.
He probably will never be an iron man, but I think he can do 10+ seasons of 70+ games, which is fine in the modern NBA now that load managing is fairly accepted.

As a fan, I hope he's able to stay healthy for a long time. He's fun to watch, particularly when he isn't just bombing 9 3s a game. Dude is super talented, and not JUST tall.

[Rust_Cohle]

Assuming the clot issues won't come back (And there is a reason to think they won't), I think Wemby could have a relatively healthy career.
He probably will never be an iron man, but I think he can do 10+ seasons of 70+ games, which is fine in the modern NBA now that load managing is fairly accepted.

As a fan, I hope he's able to stay healthy for a long time. He's fun to watch, particularly when he isn't just bombing 9 3s a game. Dude is super talented, and not JUST tall.

This is probably the season he attacks the rim more, so let's see.