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Post by mac on Jun 23, 2023 8:15:43 GMT
For the NBA fans, 19 years old French lad. 7' 5" and he shoots the three. NBA Draft: Why Victor Wembanyama is the most exciting prospect since LeBron James - www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/basketball/65907031One to watch? |
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Post by SamH on Jun 23, 2023 10:39:39 GMT
Yes, I don't think the hype is overblown - he looks incredible and the next big star. Zion Williamson came in with loads of hype but hasn't been able to stay healthy, hopefully this kid can.
Back in the days of playing NBA Live on my Playstation, I'd create a player like Wemby - really tall but also athletic who could shoot from range and had an all around excellent game. It's like that player has now come to life with this dude, never seen the like before in someone this tall!
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Post by SamH on Jun 24, 2023 0:29:36 GMT
You know what I want to see? I want to see game 1 of the season on the schedule: San Antonio Spurs v Denver Nuggets.
Oh yeah! Let's throw him straight in against the Joker and see whst happens. I'd love that. Hope the schedule makers give it some thought, it should be a big match like that and be a national tv game.
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Post by milehigh on Jun 24, 2023 6:03:26 GMT
Lets not expect too much from him right away, he's a 19 year old who has to get used to playing in a new system and new league, but also adapt to living in a new enviroment that is totally different to France.
He will have to work hard to improve his fitness so he can cope with both the tirdness of an 82 game season, but also the physicality of the NBA.
While he may have some good performances this season, it could well be two to three years before he becomes a consistant, every night star.
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Post by SamH on Jun 24, 2023 13:49:00 GMT
Im not so sure MH, he's coming in with Lebron like hype, Tim Duncan like hype. Those guys made an immediate impact. Will be fun to see anyway. I remember when Lonzo Ball came in, his hype was all from that idiot dad of his and his first assignment was matching up with Pat Beverley, a top defensive player. Beverley was chomping at the bit to put him in his place. I could see the same happening here, all the big men will want to put Victor in his place, it would be fun to start with the top guy in Jokic and just see what happens.
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Post by mac on Jun 24, 2023 16:23:14 GMT
19 years old and he starts on $10 million a year. That alone sets him up for life.
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Post by spacejammer on Jun 24, 2023 19:27:20 GMT
19 years old and he starts on $10 million a year. That alone sets him up for life. As long as he is responsible with his money then he will be set for life. I watched a fascinating 30 for 30 documentary a few years ago called Broke. It was about players from mostly American Sports like the NBA, NFL, MLB etc... talking about how they made it to the big time. And then through a mixture of poor/reckless investments, career ending injuries or just sheer bad luck they ended up going from being Billionaires to washed up and Broke. Hopefully this will never have to Wembanyama and at the end of the documentary it does say the Colleges now try to educate player athletes about being responsible with their finances better in order to avoid the pitfalls previous athletes have made. Although let's be honest it will sadly properly always still happen and one of those guys who got drafted the other night could one day be an unlucky victim. For anyone who is interested in watching I highly recommend it as it is one of my favourite 30 for 30's. |
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Post by SamH on Jun 24, 2023 21:06:50 GMT
Antoine Walker was the most famous one for this. He earned $100m in his career and somehow lost it all. I believe he now goes round trying to educate people not to make the mistakes he made.
Vin Baker also ended up working at Starbucks, although he's now an assistant coach.
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Post by tugger on Jun 26, 2023 10:16:15 GMT
, all the big men will want to put Victor in his place, it would be fun to start with the top guy in Jokic and just see what happens. You're assuming he'll be playing centre! |
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Post by SamH on Jun 26, 2023 15:18:37 GMT
At 7'5 he'd better be playing it, although these days positions aren't as fixed as they once were (hence why all good big men can now shoot the 3 ball) but regardless what spot he's playing you would expect the biggest dude on the other team to be guarding him, or trying to! Maybe a double team, certainly in time if not immediately. I've not seen too much of him, just the usual highlight clips that are doing the rounds online - but I've never seen anyone quite like this before. He can dribble, shoot, pass like a wing (won't go as far as saying guard) and then he can do all the big man things too. A little bit skinny but not in the Chet Holmgren range (and I am looking forward to seeing him finally debut too). I really don't think we have seen the like before - Kevin Durant might be the closest comparison but this guy has half a foot in height on him!
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jt
Sixth Man
Posts: 219
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Post by jt on Jun 26, 2023 15:28:14 GMT
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Post by SamH on Jun 26, 2023 15:44:22 GMT
That's the other thing, he has been playing at the professional level, it's not like he has just come out of college. Yes NBA is another step up but he's going to get coached by the best in the business, one of the best organisation he could possibly go to - it just feels like everything has fallen into place for him to be an instant success. That French team he was on, I read they were terrible the season before, and him arriving totally transformed them into one of the better teams. I don't see that with the Spurs but I do think they might be competing for a play-in berth next season.
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