With the French League season underway, Victor Wembanyama continues to display the talents that make him the consensus No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft, writes Jonathan Givony of ESPN. His Metropolitans 92 team is off to a 6-1 start with Wembanyama ranking second in the league in scoring, third in rebounding, first in blocks and fifth in usage rate.
Wembanyama is learning how to use his 7’4″ frame to his advantage, challenging shots on defense and unleashing a turnaround jumper that’s nearly impossible to defend. He’s shooting just 33% from three-point range, a drop-off from his 9-for-18 performance in two games in Las Vegas, and he’s still adapting to the more physical style of play in France, but his coach, Vincent Collet, says that’s to be expected.
“Defense is different [in the United States],” Collet said. “He has more room in the G League game. And probably the referees are protecting more. Sometimes they grab him in France. So that’s something special that didn’t happen [in Las Vegas]. I don’t think he has to play to make seven threes each game.”
Givony notes that Wembanyama will have another international test this week with two FIBA World Cup qualifiers. France will travel to Lithuania on Friday and will host Bosnia and Herzegovina next Monday.
There’s more on the 2023 draft:
- Scoot Henderson, expected to taken second overall, is off to a more uneven start with the G League Ignite, Givony adds. He posted 25 points and seven assists in his first game, but took some questionable shots and didn’t attempt any three-pointers. He had 25 points again Sunday in his second game, but he needed 28 shots and made critical mistakes down the stretch in a one-point loss. Givony describes Henderson’s best plays as “All-Star caliber,” but says he still needs work on his decision making, especially in the half court.
- With the college basketball season tipping off today, Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report offers a look at the best prospects and several others who could rise up draft boards by next summer. Included in Wasserman’s top tier are Arkansas’ Anthony Black and Nick Smith Jr., Baylor’s Keyonte George, Alabama’s Brandon Miller, Duke’s Dariq Whitehead and Villanova’s Cam Whitmore.
- Former No. 1 pick Greg Oden, who’s now director of basketball operations at Butler, can understand the exposure that Wembanyama is getting at such a young age, per Dana Hunsinger Benbow of The Indianapolis Star. “Find something that you enjoy doing and stay with that and always keep that a part of you,” Oden said in offering advice to Wembanyama. “Because this journey is going to mature you a lot faster than everybody else.”
The two largest cities in the West needs Wemby
Rockets fans say Jalen Green is a bust and Smith is a bad pick
Lakers need top tier young players
Ahhh! A riddle!
According to Bill Simmons, Lakers might trade Davis
How would the lakers land wemby if the pelicans have swap rights?
Yep. If lakers want him I would only do it for all of their chips, and trade them like the $300M of bad contracts.
Scoot struggled vs a really good defender in Rawle Alkins but playing against this level of comp is gonna be a big positive for him longterm. Same for Leonard Miller whos versatility was on full display in this 1. Great shot to give his team the lead w/ 2secs left but a rookie mistake cost em the W… link to m.youtube.com
To me, I see Wembanyama being a Yao Ming type with shaky knees in the NBA. It’s nice to see these giants on the floor. But the league has changed and has gone to “small ball” approach. If he can keep up with the small guys and the faster pace, he might do well. But I seriously think he will be on the slower side and unable to keep up with a west coast style offense. Some east coast team like the 6ers or Pistons may have the right system for him. Rockets and Lakers are a fast pace offense with the Rockets being younger and faster. I seriously think Stone needs to fire Silas and look at other options for head coaches. Silas isn’t the man the Rockets need to get over this hump. I am very curious to see what Nash could do in Houston coaching these kids. Maybe teach them some defense. Bring him in as an assistant to the intern coach. After the season is over, he gets appointed head coach with a new style of play. It would be hard to transition Nash system during the season. They could try, but it can be a failure for a few months. Rockets don’t have much to lose by firing Silas and bringing in Steve Nash (whom I think would do wonderful in Houston). They are like 1-8 and really should make the coaching changes now instead of later. Let Silas move onto an assistant elsewhere. He’s not a head coach for a team like the Rockets. If Ferritta doesn’t make this change soon, the fan base is going to explode and call for the sale of the team. The GM would also be called to be canned with Silas. Stone needs to act now before it gets worse.
More to it, hire Nash. Trade A few young guy’s for draft capital. Rebuild within a rebuild. If they have a legitimate chance for Wem, Sengun can be traded for draft picks. Others to consider Tate, KPJ, and Christopher. I am not saying trade all of them, but at least 2 if Wem Rockets get rights to first overall pick. Otherwise, I’d listen to offers for Christopher and Sengun. I love both guys, but trade them while they have value.