2023 NBA Draft

[Hal14]

I would take Scoot. I don't trust the body of Victor. Same as I didn't trust the body of Chet. Consensus wouldn't mean much to me if the guy is always in street clothes.

Fair point.

There was one point in the game last night (I think it was 2nd or 3rd quarter) where Victor started wincing/hobbling a little bit, like favoring one of his legs. I got nervous, thought he was gonna come out of the game but he didn't.

I feel like if my team took him no. 1, I'd be always watching him with this nervousness that he'd get hurt at any time.

Maybe sports medicine/athletic training has made some advancements though so he has a better shot now?

[SeattleJazzFan]

scoot was just ridiculous. but how many dudes his size are top 10 players in the league? that's the superstar sweet spot. the list begins and ends with Steph - and he's the greatest shooter in the history of the league. it's just so difficult for a guy 6'3 or shorter to be a legit superstar - the type of guy who can carry a team to the title. it's nothing against him or his game or ability - it's just a reality of NBA basketball.

[CptCrunch]

scoot was just ridiculous. but how many dudes his size are top 10 players in the league? that's the superstar sweet spot. the list begins and ends with Steph - and he's the greatest shooter in the history of the league. it's just so difficult for a guy 6'3 or shorter to be a legit superstar - the type of guy who can carry a team to the title. it's nothing against him or his game or ability - it's just a reality of NBA basketball.

Good point, the last MVP contenders at his size have been Curry (a goat of shooting), Paul (a goat of passing), Westbrook (a goat of stat padding).

[clyde21]

Rose was a top10 player in the league for a few years, Ja Morant is right there if not already, Lillard as well was considered top 10 for a couple of years.

[yoyoboy]

scoot was just ridiculous. but how many dudes his size are top 10 players in the league? that's the superstar sweet spot. the list begins and ends with Steph - and he's the greatest shooter in the history of the league. it's just so difficult for a guy 6'3 or shorter to be a legit superstar - the type of guy who can carry a team to the title. it's nothing against him or his game or ability - it's just a reality of NBA basketball.

I mean even if he didn’t win a title, Paul was definitely good enough in his prime to do it. I mean we saw him come close just a year ago while way past his prime. Steph obviously. Nash just like Paul could have in the right situation even if he technically didn’t. Maybe if Amare didn’t get hurt in 2006. Sure it’s rarer to make that kind of impact when you’re smaller but how many 6’3 or under prospects have been as good as Scoot? Seriously though, I’m not sure how many historically at his size or below coming into the draft (without hindsight) should be selected ahead of him, if any…

And I think it’s even more rare to not suffer debilitating health issues at some point when you’re Wemby’s size. He’s legitimately 7’4 barefoot. And he’s already had issues staying on the court.

[clyde21]

Said this on the GB and Ill repeat it here. This is really feeling like a repeat of 2019.

#1: The freaks that we really have never seen before. We have never seen a physical specimen like Zion and he was so dominant as well. It was impossible not to take him #1. But he also had huge question marks about his body. Is there anyway a body can hold up to what he was doing at that size. Similar to Wemby, we really havent seen anything like him before. But just like Zion, you have to ask yourself, is that body and long skinny legs going to be able to hold up?

#2: You had the freak athletic PG in Ja. Ya great prospect and even if you liked him more over Zion, there was no way you could take him #1 over Zion, just because if both guys hit their ceilings you would look like an idiot for not taking Zion. That kind of feels like Scoot here. Even if you like Scoot more than Wemby for whatever reason, there is no way you could take him #1. Because ya if both players hit their absolute ceilings, youd look dumb on passing on Wemby.

And to be clear this is no shot at Ja's and Scoot's ceilings, its just guys like Zion and Wemby if they were to stay healthy can have truly freakish high ceilings.

Problem is that no one seems to take this in to account. I think it's because no one is thinking like the actual team at this stage. Once we know which team has the number 1 pick I think we will see their fans leaning towards Scoot.

Wemby is great for punters to say yeah he's a great prospect. Then when he invariably gets injured they can talk about how he was the GOAT prospect and the greatest what if.

The truth is that Scoot had an awesome game. Scored similarly and had 9 assists with 1 TO. Had more.rebounds than Wemby too.

you can't pass on Wemby even if u think there is an injury risk there tho, similar situation to Zion.

[crows2]

Said this on the GB and Ill repeat it here. This is really feeling like a repeat of 2019.

#1: The freaks that we really have never seen before. We have never seen a physical specimen like Zion and he was so dominant as well. It was impossible not to take him #1. But he also had huge question marks about his body. Is there anyway a body can hold up to what he was doing at that size. Similar to Wemby, we really havent seen anything like him before. But just like Zion, you have to ask yourself, is that body and long skinny legs going to be able to hold up?

#2: You had the freak athletic PG in Ja. Ya great prospect and even if you liked him more over Zion, there was no way you could take him #1 over Zion, just because if both guys hit their ceilings you would look like an idiot for not taking Zion. That kind of feels like Scoot here. Even if you like Scoot more than Wemby for whatever reason, there is no way you could take him #1. Because ya if both players hit their absolute ceilings, youd look dumb on passing on Wemby.

And to be clear this is no shot at Ja's and Scoot's ceilings, its just guys like Zion and Wemby if they were to stay healthy can have truly freakish high ceilings.

Problem is that no one seems to take this in to account. I think it's because no one is thinking like the actual team at this stage. Once we know which team has the number 1 pick I think we will see their fans leaning towards Scoot.

Wemby is great for punters to say yeah he's a great prospect. Then when he invariably gets injured they can talk about how he was the GOAT prospect and the greatest what if.

The truth is that Scoot had an awesome game. Scored similarly and had 9 assists with 1 TO. Had more.rebounds than Wemby too.

With all due respect, I think it's you who's not thinking like an actual team, because at this stage 30/30 teams would take Wembanyama at number 1, not Scoot. I mean we literally saw this 3-4 years ago when Zion was the consensus number 1 over Morant. If there's a freak prospect with a complete size anomaly, they're going to get taken ahead of a short guard 30 times out of 30 even if they have injury concerns. GMs know they'd lose their job if they pass on the genetic freak and he explodes. Whereas if they draft him and he suffers injuries they still have an excuse to keep their job.

[Duke4life831]

Said this on the GB and Ill repeat it here. This is really feeling like a repeat of 2019.

#1: The freaks that we really have never seen before. We have never seen a physical specimen like Zion and he was so dominant as well. It was impossible not to take him #1. But he also had huge question marks about his body. Is there anyway a body can hold up to what he was doing at that size. Similar to Wemby, we really havent seen anything like him before. But just like Zion, you have to ask yourself, is that body and long skinny legs going to be able to hold up?

#2: You had the freak athletic PG in Ja. Ya great prospect and even if you liked him more over Zion, there was no way you could take him #1 over Zion, just because if both guys hit their ceilings you would look like an idiot for not taking Zion. That kind of feels like Scoot here. Even if you like Scoot more than Wemby for whatever reason, there is no way you could take him #1. Because ya if both players hit their absolute ceilings, youd look dumb on passing on Wemby.

And to be clear this is no shot at Ja's and Scoot's ceilings, its just guys like Zion and Wemby if they were to stay healthy can have truly freakish high ceilings.

Problem is that no one seems to take this in to account. I think it's because no one is thinking like the actual team at this stage. Once we know which team has the number 1 pick I think we will see their fans leaning towards Scoot.

Wemby is great for punters to say yeah he's a great prospect. Then when he invariably gets injured they can talk about how he was the GOAT prospect and the greatest what if.

The truth is that Scoot had an awesome game. Scored similarly and had 9 assists with 1 TO. Had more.rebounds than Wemby too.

you can't pass on Wemby even if u think there is an injury risk there tho, similar situation to Zion.

Ya this is why Im saying its 2019 all over again. And also why I wouldnt be shocked if whoever gets the #2 spot is the happiest team on draft night.

Because ya I am sure there are GMs out there that love Wemby's potential but are scared to death about his injury potential. Just like Im sure a few teams viewed Zion the same way. And you have a legit stud that would go #1 in most drafts sitting there at #2. So #2 is a no lose situation, you dont have to have any discussion on who youre going to pick, he looks like he has superstar in the making himself and his body is far more normal and far less worries about potential injury problems.

Now granted just to be clear, no doubt the majority of GMs are drooling over Wemby and that is why no matter what you have to take him #1. Even if you had Ja above Zion when you factored in potential injury and so on, youd still wouldve had to pick Zion #1. The value is just too much to not take at #1.

[clyde21]

yea def like 2019, this class is much better after the top 2 tho.

[Duke4life831]

yea def like 2019, this class is much better after the top 2 tho.

As of right now I agree with that. But I do remember the 2018 recruiting class viewed as a really good class, its just the college season basically destroyed the top 10 of that recruiting class. Looking back that recruiting class top 25 looks pretty weak, but ya going into college it was viewed as a really good class. But ya it just bombed haha.

Assuming the rest of this recruiting class doesnt bomb like that one and acts more along the lines of an average class, ya the depth of this draft class will be much better after the top 2.

[EMG518]

Ja was never in consideration over Zion and although Zion has an unconventional build he is not a lanky 7'5" guy.

I really don't think the situation is comparable.

[Duke4life831]

Ja was never in consideration over Zion and although Zion has an unconventional build he is not a lanky 7'5" guy.

I really don't think the situation is comparable.

People questioning if Zion could stay healthy with the way he plays and his size was no doubt a huge talking point prior to the draft. And there were definitely many people that were very high on Ja prior to the draft. Many people said they would rather have Ja because they didnt think Zion would stay healthy.

Is it a perfect comparison? No of course not. I was just pointing out I view them as similar situations. Because the conversations that is currently going on right now between Wemby and Scoot, are very very similar to the conversations between Zion and Ja leading up to the draft.

[clyde21]

Ja was never in consideration over Zion and although Zion has an unconventional build he is not a lanky 7'5" guy.

I really don't think the situation is comparable.

you thought Duke was comparing Wemby and Zion as players or something?

[EMG518]

Ja was never in consideration over Zion and although Zion has an unconventional build he is not a lanky 7'5" guy.

I really don't think the situation is comparable.

you thought Duke was comparing Wemby and Zion as players or something?

Nope, I got that comparison he was making, I just disagree with the point being made.

There are alot of people claiming they would take Scoot here and it's due to Wemby being lanky, 7'5", and Scoot being a very high level prospect coming in that could have probably went #1 in a few of the recent drafts..

There were very few if any, I don't remember any honestly calling for Morant over Zion. Morant was a sophomore that was not highly recruited coming out of Murray State that also was very slight of frame and there were shooting concerns. I don't think anyone thought Morant was going to be this good and this is coming from someone whom had him #2 that year convincingly over Barrett which many did not.

[EMG518]

Ja was never in consideration over Zion and although Zion has an unconventional build he is not a lanky 7'5" guy.

I really don't think the situation is comparable.

People questioning if Zion could stay healthy with the way he plays and his size was no doubt a huge talking point prior to the draft. And there were definitely many people that were very high on Ja prior to the draft. Many people said they would rather have Ja because they didnt think Zion would stay healthy.

Is it a perfect comparison? No of course not. I was just pointing out I view them as similar situations. Because the conversations that is currently going on right now between Wemby and Scoot, are very very similar to the conversations between Zion and Ja leading up to the draft.

I honestly don't remember anyone calling for Ja over Zion and the level of prospect is different in my eyes.

Wemby is lanky, 7'5" and Scoot is a much higher ranked prospect coming in. He could have probably went #1 in a few of the most recent drafts.

Ja was not highly recruited, a sophomore out of Murray State, very thin, had shooting concerns, and many didn't even have him above Barrett even. I don't think many if anyone thought he was going to be this good and that is coming from someone whom really liked him and wanted the Knicks to move up for him.

[NYPiston]

scoot was just ridiculous. but how many dudes his size are top 10 players in the league? that's the superstar sweet spot. the list begins and ends with Steph - and he's the greatest shooter in the history of the league. it's just so difficult for a guy 6'3 or shorter to be a legit superstar - the type of guy who can carry a team to the title. it's nothing against him or his game or ability - it's just a reality of NBA basketball.

How many dudes at 7'4" are top 10 players in the league or anything in the league?

I don't know, I think the size argument is silly. It's not like Scoot is 6' or under. Just look at his skillset, it's special and he seems to have that competitive fire to along with it.
Not saying that I'd take him over Wemby but I think it's a bigger debate than some people would like to admit. The "unicorn" aspect is what gives Wemby the edge but there's also risk, I think there's much less risk with Scoot with a really high reward.

[Big J]

After what we saw in Vegas it ain’t close. Wemby is generational. Hell, the guy might cause the league to consider raising the rims another foot because he’s so damn dominant. It’s silly to suggest another guy in this draft is even close to his level.

[EMG518]

After what we saw in Vegas it ain’t close. Wemby is generational. Hell, the guy might cause the league to consider raising the rims another foot because he’s so damn dominant. It’s silly to suggest another guy in this draft is even close to his level.

It's really not. You have to consider the risk with taking a guy built like that. He is literally 7'5", lanky, and he plays with athleticism. If he can stay healthy and have a long career then you could have a generational prospect but those are bigger if's with him.

Scoot is the best player his size that I have seen since I have started following the draft. Well over a decade worth of drafts. Way less risk of injury for him and more likely to have longevity.

So if you want to roll the dice without a second thought that's fine, but I would seriously consider Scoot who could be a perennial All-Nba player and one of the best players in the league.

I imagine Wemby does go 1, I haven't decided yet what I would do.

[Big J]

Scoot is what my dog did across the living room floor yesterday in comparison to Wemby.

[PhilBlackson]

If Wemby stays healthy all year there’s absolutely no way I’d take Scoot over him and I love Henderson.

Funny thing is, while I expect Scoot to be the pretty clear 2nd best player this coming year, I also don’t rule out other wings like Thompson, Whitehead or Whitmore COULD (not saying odds are in their favour) reach a similar level when it’s all said & done. But there’s no one that touches Victor’s potential. Just sayin…