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

[D.Brasco]

Taller version of KD, will probably play PF/SF at the NBA level. 7”4 pull up shooter, yikes.

Sounds like a recipe for injury. I think KD is probably the limit length wise to be able to operate on the perimeter to keep up with the speed and cutting of wings, and even he has had injuries notably.

[UcanUwill]

Taller version of KD, will probably play PF/SF at the NBA level. 7”4 pull up shooter, yikes.

Sounds like a recipe for injury. I think KD is probably the limit length wise to be able to operate on the perimeter to keep up with the speed and cutting of wings, and even he has had injuries notably.

He is not PF/SF nor is he KD, he will be very versatile center with 3+ block per game average and devastating missmatch offensive game, but he isnt KD, he will be the guy who will mix it up but will still dominate it inside if hes smart.

If you think he will be ruined by injuries its fair game, but I dont get people who arent exited about his skill. He is 19 and is averaging over 22 points per game in Europe. There are very few players averaging 20+ points per game in Europe, period, across hundreds of teams and dozens of leagues.

People have said they would rather have Bol Bol. I get that Bol is NBA player, but you really think he could average 22 points in French A? Because I really doubt that to say it lightly. Wemby will be All star hunting from day one in the NBA.

[peZt]

This kid is extremely overrated.

He will struggle defending in space in the NBA....bigger court, better athletes
He will struggle with fast-paced NBA style...he already struggles in Europe running up and down the court when game gets herky-jerky
He will struggle with longer 3-point line....he is already shooting poor percentage in Europe
He will struggle with stronger NBA guys.....he already has issues with guys who can push him around in lowly French league
He makes poor decisions and lacks next level passing ability...

People get so excited because he is unusual. Never before we had such a tall guy with smooth shooting mechanics. With that said, i dont think he is a generational talent. Cannot see the way he develops into the best player on a championship team. First and foremost, there are injury, durability and stamina issues. He could be Zion 2.0 in that regard. And then there is skill-set, you cannot run your offense through him possession after possession. He doesnt have ability to create his own shot on consistent basis.

Gobert with a jumpshot if he stays healthy. Which is pretty good, but not quite MVP caliber.

Also with better passing, better ballhandling, just overall way better touch. Gobert is a non factor on offense. Wembanyama is leading the French League in scoring at age 18. His offensive game is on another dimension than Gobert's and it's not just shooting.

He's gonna be a league MVP at age 19. This is the #1 indicator that someone is not overhyped but the real deal. I don't think you will find many cases of 18/19 year olds being so productive in Europe and then failing in the NBA. Unless they obviously have massive physical shortcomings for the NBA.
But otherwise, if you are a european MVP at age 19, you will not bust in the NBA. And when you also have generational tools like Wembanyama to combine with that, then it is really hard to imagine anything else than him becoming an incredible force in the NBA.

He's basically a better version of pre injury Porzingis on offense. But also 2 inches taller and 6 inches longer.

Gobert on D, rich man's pre injury Porzingis on O. That's the best player in the league

[peZt]

Watch on YouTube

Man these guys could at least try to educate themselves a little. Chuck literally thinks that Victor is playing against HS kids in France. He's trynna argue that Victor isn't a sure bet by saying "Gotta see how he plays against grown men first", "The only player who didn't play in College and dominated from day 1 was LeBron"

Like wtf. This kid is gonna become an MVP of a GROWN MEN's LEAGUE. He is already playing against grown men. He is already playing in "College" so to speak. Wtf is he talking about. He literally has no idea where Wemby plays, how he plays and what he does on a daily basis.
"I don't care what he does in the Czech Republic". Like come on... I know these guys are just getting paid to be entertaining but still

[BruttoNostra]

Watch on YouTube

Man these guys could at least try to educate themselves a little. Chuck literally thinks that Victor is playing against HS kids in France. He's trynna argue that Victor isn't a sure bet by saying "Gotta see how he plays against grown men first", "The only player who didn't play in College and dominated from day 1 was LeBron"

Like wtf. This kid is gonna become an MVP of a GROWN MEN's LEAGUE. He is already playing against grown men. He is already playing in "College" so to speak. Wtf is he talking about. He literally has no idea where Wemby plays, how he plays and what he does on a daily basis.
"I don't care what he does in the Czech Republic". Like come on... I know these guys are just getting paid to be entertaining but still

This!

Those talking heads have even no idea where Wemby is playing.
The game against Czech Republic was a World Cup Qualifier and it's def a better competition than any NCAA team (well, maybe except some 2-3 stacked programs).
But his main competition this year is a France League, where he's going to be an MVP, at such a young age and with such a dominance.
It's not as strong as Luka taking Euroleague MVP, but it's still against grown men, top 5-6 league in Europe, not 18-19yo kids 80% of whom won't become professional players after they finish their degree.

[UcanUwill]

Watch on YouTube

Man these guys could at least try to educate themselves a little. Chuck literally thinks that Victor is playing against HS kids in France. He's trynna argue that Victor isn't a sure bet by saying "Gotta see how he plays against grown men first", "The only player who didn't play in College and dominated from day 1 was LeBron"

Like wtf. This kid is gonna become an MVP of a GROWN MEN's LEAGUE. He is already playing against grown men. He is already playing in "College" so to speak. Wtf is he talking about. He literally has no idea where Wemby plays, how he plays and what he does on a daily basis.
"I don't care what he does in the Czech Republic". Like come on... I know these guys are just getting paid to be entertaining but still

This kid will play in mens Lithuania-France national team game in a few hours, is already by far biggest name in a game, but man, he didnt play in college rofl... I try not to watch any of these AMerican shows that have no clue, seriously I feel like this is exclusively AMerican problem, to have talking heads and news who talk while not knowing anything they are talking about, no wonder its a buble and political asylum there at this point.

Same happens all the time, even in something like NIKE hoop summit, where you would think they know what they are doing, but they are constantly get facts completely wrong about international players.

[Pachinko_]

Everybody is allowed to be drunk every now and then. That must've been Chuck's night

[Mirotic12]

He looks like perennial DPOY and a guy who can face up, euro step and run like Small forward while being 7 foot 4. Yeah, he is bad shooter and his shot selection is bad at times, go figure he is not the GOAT yet at age 18

You are not incorrect, but the kid is very young, his touch, form, and FT shooting seem way better than average, and he shows shooters potential. at age 18, honestly not many players shoot over 30% from 3 in general at a consistant basis, even some who are projected to be shooters. It is Wemby's weakness, but not a glaring one and only really noticeable, because the rest of his game is so insane good already. If Zach Eddy was having those percentages on those kind of shots sometimes, we would be declaring him surefire floor spacer in a few years and that would probably be seen as his biggest potential strength. Where in Wemby, it is his main weakness.

He's 19.

He is not PF/SF nor is he KD, he will be very versatile center with 3+ block per game average and devastating missmatch offensive game, but he isnt KD, he will be the guy who will mix it up but will still dominate it inside if hes smart.

If you think he will be ruined by injuries its fair game, but I dont get people who arent exited about his skill. He is 19 and is averaging over 22 points per game in Europe. There are very few players averaging 20+ points per game in Europe, period, across hundreds of teams and dozens of leagues.

People have said they would rather have Bol Bol. I get that Bol is NBA player, but you really think he could average 22 points in French A? Because I really doubt that to say it lightly. Wemby will be All star hunting from day one in the NBA.

Bol Bol would probably average like 8 and 5 in a similar level French team that Wemby plays in now. While Bol Bol would probably be a third string center at the EuroLeague level.

People doubting what this kid is doing at his age in Europe..........it's the same ridiculous nonsense that we heard about Luka before his draft year. There was literally a handful of players in history that would have ever had a prominent role in Real Madrid at that age of 19 that Luka was then. You could probably could count them on one hand, for all of the history of basketball, and yet, we had US sports media asking how Luka's performance could be considered legit, when he didn't play against "vastly superior" NCAA athletes.

If someone questions Wemby's performance in the French first division this season, they have never in their lives seen a pro club European basketball game, at any level, in any league, in any country, region, continental-wide, etc.

[UcanUwill]

Wemby coasted all game but decided to close the game in the last 90 seconds with two unguardable fadeaways and dominant defense.

[TheDiesel36]

Watch on YouTube

Man these guys could at least try to educate themselves a little. Chuck literally thinks that Victor is playing against HS kids in France. He's trynna argue that Victor isn't a sure bet by saying "Gotta see how he plays against grown men first", "The only player who didn't play in College and dominated from day 1 was LeBron"

Like wtf. This kid is gonna become an MVP of a GROWN MEN's LEAGUE. He is already playing against grown men. He is already playing in "College" so to speak. Wtf is he talking about. He literally has no idea where Wemby plays, how he plays and what he does on a daily basis.
"I don't care what he does in the Czech Republic". Like come on... I know these guys are just getting paid to be entertaining but still

This kid will play in mens Lithuania-France national team game in a few hours, is already by far biggest name in a game, but man, he didnt play in college rofl... I try not to watch any of these AMerican shows that have no clue, seriously I feel like this is exclusively AMerican problem, to have talking heads and news who talk while not knowing anything they are talking about, no wonder its a buble and political asylum there at this point.

Same happens all the time, even in something like NIKE hoop summit, where you would think they know what they are doing, but they are constantly get facts completely wrong about international players.

The guys would be very suprised that our NT came ahead of US in 2019 WC.. But yeah, we were already eliminated in the quali and that wasnt our strongest team at all, too many guys missing, but still gave them a run for their money.

And Balvins drop step dunk after a backdown was Shaq like

[Pachinko_]

And Balvins drop step dunk after a backdown was Shaq like

Eh that's just lack of experience from Wemby, he probably doesn't get that a lot.
All he has to do if an old school big starts bodying him is to move one step back so he can't find a body to push, and then when he goes up block him up high. He's so much longer than everybody and so quick with his jumping.

[the_other_guy]

Wemby coasted all game but decided to close the game in the last 90 seconds with two unguardable fadeaways and dominant defense.

I would not say he coasted. Lithuania prepared really well, playing physical against him, denying the ball or double teaming where necessary. You could see Wemba being frustrated at times and France looked better without him on the court (well except last two minutes).
It was really good game from Lithuanias pretty much B/C team.

[remi_222]

Watch on YouTube

edit : it can be a french area allowed video, let me know if doesnt work

[UcanUwill]

Wemby coasted all game but decided to close the game in the last 90 seconds with two unguardable fadeaways and dominant defense.

I would not say he coasted. Lithuania prepared really well, playing physical against him, denying the ball or double teaming where necessary. You could see Wemba being frustrated at times and France looked better without him on the court (well except last two minutes).
It was really good game from Lithuanias pretty much B/C team.

Having Wemby as C and Albicy as PG was not fair at that level defensively, Lithuania couldn't do a thing, their coach specifically instructed not to screen ALbicy anymore at one point because it wasnt working. People here always say random NBA game can have worst offensive performance imaginable, but man, when you watch these FIBA window teams play elite Euroleague/NBA level defenders, they were birthing points once every 4 minutes, it can be rough to watch and its just sad.

Wemby once again showed good passing ability, he really wasnt forcing anything until that decisive fadeaway over 2 defenders, kind off a bad decision in a vacuum, but he made the shot and almost closed the game at that point.

As you said, they were shielding him well, and that was one glaring weakness he showed yesterday I thought. When you pass the ball to him inside while he still battling for position, he almost never actually catches the ball and its TO. It is somewhat hands problem, but I think it is more strength problem, it is still easy to ragdoll him around quite a bit.

I think his perimeter defense really improved though. It was and probably still is a huge worry for him, no one is denying is god tier rim protection, but how will he do on switches and everything? Obviously, NBA guards are far far better, but they are still people, and if you dont shake Wemby right away, which is not that easy to do, you will panic IMO even if you are Garland, or Paul or Booker etc. When a 7'4 guy with 8 foot wingspan and good foot speed stick to you, he stretches those arms, he covers all your drive, passing lanes and all your vision. I think that will intimidate even NBA guards, it is scary how freak of a defender he is. Leaves his feet way too often still though.

[Kineto]

Having Wemby as C and Albicy as PG was not fair at that level defensively

Imagine what it will be with Wemby-Gobert-Batum-Tarpey-Albicy

Good luck to score !
(for both team )

[UcanUwill]

Having Wemby as C and Albicy as PG was not fair at that level defensively

Imagine what it will be with Wemby-Gobert-Batum-Tarpey-Albicy

Good luck to score !
(for both team )

France already has huge athleticism and length advantage compared to most Euro teams. Man, I dont even want to think of Gobert and Wemby playing at the same time, opposition could just get their android and go straight on a can right away. And all of gods forbid if Embiid just decides to join too, they will be very strong Gold contenders in Olympics, and not just cute contenders where USA is 9 to 1 favorites, but hey, no, If France keeps at it, they will not be THAT far off from USA even, you can be any NBA star guard, but if you need to go against Gobert And Wemby's defense, what will these guys do ,they will just pray and shoot 3s.

[meekrab]

My heart wants to believe but my head says his ankles and knees are going to be constantly injured.

[nikster]

Watch on YouTube

Man these guys could at least try to educate themselves a little. Chuck literally thinks that Victor is playing against HS kids in France. He's trynna argue that Victor isn't a sure bet by saying "Gotta see how he plays against grown men first", "The only player who didn't play in College and dominated from day 1 was LeBron"

Like wtf. This kid is gonna become an MVP of a GROWN MEN's LEAGUE. He is already playing against grown men. He is already playing in "College" so to speak. Wtf is he talking about. He literally has no idea where Wemby plays, how he plays and what he does on a daily basis.
"I don't care what he does in the Czech Republic". Like come on... I know these guys are just getting paid to be entertaining but still

This is the only true thing Chuck said here lol. He truly doesn't care about whats happening in Europe.

[ReginaldDwight]

My heart wants to believe but my head says his ankles and knees are going to be constantly injured.

Yeah gives me hope because hes playing a fair amount in france. I dont know much about ol wemby but im on the hype train.

[ReginaldDwight]

Watch on YouTube

Man these guys could at least try to educate themselves a little. Chuck literally thinks that Victor is playing against HS kids in France. He's trynna argue that Victor isn't a sure bet by saying "Gotta see how he plays against grown men first", "The only player who didn't play in College and dominated from day 1 was LeBron"

Like wtf. This kid is gonna become an MVP of a GROWN MEN's LEAGUE. He is already playing against grown men. He is already playing in "College" so to speak. Wtf is he talking about. He literally has no idea where Wemby plays, how he plays and what he does on a daily basis.
"I don't care what he does in the Czech Republic". Like come on... I know these guys are just getting paid to be entertaining but still

This is the only true thing Chuck said here lol. He truly doesn't care about whats happening in Europe.

Chuck barely cares whats going on with the NBA, thats not why you watch the chuckster.