Victor Wembanyama Mega-Thread - For all your Wembanyama needs!

[M2J]

I'm sure this is already been asked. But how do we know that this guy is any better than kristap porzingis?

Kristaps was having a terrific season and was in All Star, right before he tore his ACL.

I know you never know what a player will turn into. But I guess my question is, why is he a prospect that would be considered the greatest ever... When we've seen him before as a prospect in porzingis and he got none of that hype?

Serious question

[tmorgan]

I'm sure this is already been asked. But how do we know that this guy is any better than kristap porzingis?

Kristaps was having a terrific season and was in All Star, right before he tore his ACL.

I know you never know what a player will turn into. But I guess my question is, why is he a prospect that would be considered the greatest ever... When we've seen him before as a prospect in porzingis and he got none of that hype?

Serious question

Differences from Porzingis:

1) Even taller and longer
2) Much, much better ball control and handle
3) Even better natural shot blocking instincts
4) Better offensive repertoire, including off the dribble shooting

Things could go sideways, of course. Always extra risk in extra tall guys with thin-ish frames. But he’s incredible.

[HardenGoat]

Read on Twitter

Sure why not

Holy sh!!!!!! Those handles!!
How can that be possible?
Dude is a game breaker for sure

That’s all I needed to see. I mean that’s an 18 year old standing 7’4. It’s crazy!!!

[Rastas]

Unfortunately at his height and build - around 200 - 250 NBA games played will be his ceiling.

And even more unfortunate probably half of those games will be sub par playing with injuries.

Though I see him lasting longer than Chet.

[Pachinko_]

It is crazy but this was a buzzer beater prayer, it's not like he shoots one legged very often.

The craziest thing to me is when they said he still hasn't lifted any weights in his life because they want to let his body develop naturally during his teens. Imagine when the NBA puts him through a grown man training regime.

[lt175]

IIRC it´s Dirk´s mentor that asked VW and his agent to stop lifting weights and let him grow naturally into his body.
As for the comparison with KP, first KP is a hell of a player and even better in FIBA.
KP with Sevilla was never that good on offense and even on defense.
And just watch how VW moves his feets. His footwork for someone his size is outstanding. KP is less agile, less dynamic.
So if we compare the twos as prospects, yes VW is better.
Does that mean he will have a better career? No.
I have this idea that VW will be really good in NBA with more spacing to drive but you never know until you see it.

[Exp0sed]

IIRC it´s Dirk´s mentor that asked VW and his agent to stop lifting weights and let him grow naturally into his body.
As for the comparison with KP, first KP is a hell of a player and even better in FIBA.
KP with Sevilla was never that good on offense and even on defense.
And just watch how VW moves his feets. His footwork for someone his size is outstanding. KP is less agile, less dynamic.
So if we compare the twos as prospects, yes VW is better.
Does that mean he will have a better career? No.
I have this idea that VW will be really good in NBA with more spacing to drive but you never know until you see it.

Yeah, that's scary
He can drive much easier in the NBA and if the drive "fails" he can just pull up, KD style and shoot an unguardable, unblockable jumper. Seems like he might be even able to dish on the move to a cutter under the basket etc.

Will he be able to put on extra weight and stay nimble and healthy?

As it stands he is weak by NBA standards

While the KP comparison is valid, KP is a real outlier in terms of shying away from contact.

He asks for the ball guarded by a guard and then..takes a fadeway (which he makes at an ok clip, but not good enough to be a main offensive weapon)

VW doesn't look like that at all atm and he is so long that with a stride and an outstretched arm - he basically go for a layup when having deep position over a smaller guy or even just dunk it over

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[sfernald]

So it's monday already and that means it's time for another update on how the championship is progressing!

Here is the leader board:


As you can see here, the top five anti-competitors are the exact ones we all totally expected:

Rockets (check)
Pistons (check)
Magic (check)
Lakers (wait, wat?)
Warriors (wtf)

I'm sure this is all just a glitch in the matrix and in a few weeks things will be straightened out. If the warriors somehow do get Wemby, that would be some next level ****. I'm not sure that fans would not riot in protest.

Also notice expected top anti-competitors like the Spurs and the Jazz are not on this list! I can only say it's early early early in the season and I'm sure their collapse is imminent.

This week the rockets are in first place and looking very strong. They look just like the Magic who I discussed last week but without the one great rookie Banchero. In fact, Jabari Smith seems very mediocre so far, and has disappointed in the one thing I was sure he would do well, shooting! I got to say, they should just keep giving him the green light! There might be no better tank commanders than him and Jalen Green right now!

Till next week, keep the faith in the 2023 NBA draft! It may just save your team! Or not!

[zeebneeb]

I arrogantly thought I would have no use for this thread.

10 games in, here i am, head hung in shambles.

[tooler]

Read it and weep, boys. Three early-season losses against OKC, Detroit, and Houston. That's a master class.

[King4Day]

Really hoping Charlotte can get lucky this time around.
If not them, I'd like to see Orlando win it.

[UcanUwill]

I'm sure this is already been asked. But how do we know that this guy is any better than kristap porzingis?

Kristaps was having a terrific season and was in All Star, right before he tore his ACL.

I know you never know what a player will turn into. But I guess my question is, why is he a prospect that would be considered the greatest ever... When we've seen him before as a prospect in porzingis and he got none of that hype?

Serious question

Differences from Porzingis:

1) Even taller and longer
2) Much, much better ball control and handle
3) Even better natural shot blocking instincts
4) Better offensive repertoire, including off the dribble shooting

Things could go sideways, of course. Always extra risk in extra tall guys with thin-ish frames. But he’s incredible.

Porzingis was just standing in the corner in Europe, he wasn't the same prospect at all. If anything, this I think shows that for these type of guys, NBA just open their game more compared to restricted Euro style. Wemby already playing like he's been NBA first option for a few years. Of course he started doing this only after he downgraded competition, but he is also teenager who improves.
He will debut on France men's team on Friday, against my Lithuania. Can't wait.

[dWadeOwnzYou]

Victor makes Rudy Gobert look like a small guy and Rudy is freakin tall already!


He must be as tall as Yao Ming but more athletics with good agility(for his size)...Crazy.

[UcanUwill]

Victor makes Rudy Gobert look like a small guy and Rudy is freakin tall already!


He must be as tall as Yao Ming but more athletics with good agility(for his size)...Crazy.

Yes, I think he is NBA 7'5 at least. Dude makes most bigs who guard him look like Facu Campazzo.

[Memories]

If the Pelicans got the 1st pick, would they take Victor or Scoot?

[bravor]

Serious question

Differences from Porzingis:

He will debut on France men's team on Friday, against my Lithuania. Can't wait.

He already confirmed the NT was essential for him in a recent itw. Its no surprise though, without the covid stuff, he would have had a bunch of youth euro/world fiba tournaments. And he has been a game changer for the ones he participated to.

As for that game (that i've been waiting as well as i already said), its the first real test in fiba in 2022. Next one should be against Monaco in early december.
Our 'fiba window' nt does not have a good creator at pg though. Curious to see how it will turn, considering our roster seems to be heavily 'fastbreak oriented'. Knowing Lith's game plan will probably sending Kuzminkas and alike at Victor to get him in foul trouble (or double him as soon as he enters the paint, we'll see if Victor's passing and court vision work at that level, knowing with Sabonis in the crowd, i hope he will be good without forcing things). I also expect lots of pick n pop for him

For once we have a supposedly strong frontcourt (and two pure centers). My main interest is at which spot Victor will be played (at the 4 would be my guess, this is where he impacts the more on the game). For the fun of it, i would like to see him at the 3 in that context but the game is too important for both teams.

[tmorgan]

If the Pelicans got the 1st pick, would they take Victor or Scoot?

If X got the first pick, they will take Victor.

[turnmeup88]

I'm sure this is already been asked. But how do we know that this guy is any better than kristap porzingis?

Kristaps was having a terrific season and was in All Star, right before he tore his ACL.

I know you never know what a player will turn into. But I guess my question is, why is he a prospect that would be considered the greatest ever... When we've seen him before as a prospect in porzingis and he got none of that hype?

Serious question

Beyond some of the other comments, just overall he is much much more polished on both sides of the ball.

It is his year 19 season, if you compare where KP was at the same time he was barely breaking 7 points a game. Wembanyama is giving you 20 and 10 with elite shot blocking already.

They have a similar physical profile but that's where the comparision ends.

[peZt]

If the Pelicans got the 1st pick, would they take Victor or Scoot?

Every team would draft Victor #1 without thinking about it for one second. But especially the Pelicans. There is not a better pairing for Zion then Wemby. Zion wrecking havoc inside while Wemby is the outside threat and playmaker from the high post while shutting down the defense. Give it 5 years and that's the best 4/5 pairing ever

[Memories]

If the Pelicans got the 1st pick, would they take Victor or Scoot?

Every team would draft Victor #1 without thinking about it for one second. But especially the Pelicans. There is not a better pairing for Zion then Wemby. Zion wrecking havoc inside while Wemby is the outside threat and playmaker from the high post while shutting down the defense. Give it 5 years and that's the best 4/5 pairing ever

They do have Jonas Val tho…

I mean I get that, but if Scoot is also a franchise player, and point guard is a HUGE NEED for the Pelicans, then him, with CJ next to him in the backcourt, Ingram, Zion, Val…there’s no weakness in that lineup.

But I also understand the can’t miss prospect as well.