2023-24 Around the NBA Thread

[Russ Smith]

Seems to be very high center of gravity which makes sense given how tall he is but with the lack of strength he's VERY easy to bump off the ball right now.

Too early to make any long term stuff but I don't think he's going to dominate the league as a rookie.

 

[Yuma]

Yep, watching too. Hopefully he has better health luck than Holmgren did.

Holmgren playing in SL. Should be cool to watch!

 

[Yuma]

Seems to be very high center of gravity which makes sense given how tall he is but with the lack of strength he's VERY easy to bump off the ball right now.

Too early to make any long term stuff but I don't think he's going to dominate the league as a rookie.

I think he's on the right team to develop him.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Seems to be very high center of gravity which makes sense given how tall he is but with the lack of strength he's VERY easy to bump off the ball right now.

Too early to make any long term stuff but I don't think he's going to dominate the league as a rookie.

If I had to guess he will be brought along slowly by the Spurs the next couple years. Doubt he will be dominating as a rookie and probably doesn't win rookie of the year either.

 

[Raindog]

Seems to be very high center of gravity which makes sense given how tall he is but with the lack of strength he's VERY easy to bump off the ball right now.

Too early to make any long term stuff but I don't think he's going to dominate the league as a rookie.

It will be curious to see some (admittedly not high level) NBA competition footage of him.

 

[Hoop Head]

If I had to guess he will be brought along slowly by the Spurs the next couple years. Doubt he will be dominating as a rookie and probably doesn't win rookie of the year either.

Lots of betting sites saying Chet is the favorite for Rookie of the Year, even before it was known Wemby was going to San Antonio. I agree. OKC has had a year to bring him up to speed and get him used to the NBA somewhat.

 

[Proximo]

Yeah Wemby may need longer to be an impact player than I thought.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

And he just got baptized..

 

[Russ Smith]

It will be curious to see some (admittedly not high level) NBA competition footage of him.

He definitely impacts on defense, 5 blocks tonight, 8 boards, but that's also why the not such a high motor(at least tonight) is a concern. If he plays hard with his size and length he'll be an absolute menace defensively in the paint. But if he jogs back in transition that won't happen.

There's a play in the first half where Amari Bailey goes in ahead of him but double pumps the shot and misses trying to draw the foul. If Wemby had run hard he would have sent Baileys shot into the 4th row but he jogged and it was only Bailey "blowing a tire" trying to evade the first defender that caused him to miss. Bailey's athletic yes but it was really a play where with much hustle at all it would have been an easy block for Wemby.

 

[SeattleCardinal]

And he just got baptized..

Kai Jones on the poster!

 

[Russ Smith]

Kai Jones on the poster!

That guy dunks on everyone

 

[Russ Smith]

Example of lack of strength here. Amari Bailey probably commits an offensive foul clearing with the right hand but no way he should be able to finish this against that size but Wemby just not strong enough.

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[Phrazbit]

I didn't get the hype, I still don't get the hype. Wemby has some hurdles to overcome if he is going to be an impact player in the NBA.

All these people predicting he'd be a star out the gate are nuts.

 

[Yuma]

I didn't get the hype, I still don't get the hype. Wemby has some hurdles to overcome if he is going to be an impact player in the NBA.

All these people predicting he'd be a star out the gate are nuts.

I think it's more the upside and size. I have been skeptical since guys like Porzingas etc, are always the next big thing. He could develop. Depends on desire, etc.

 

[Raindog]

I think it's more the upside and size. I have been skeptical since guys like Porzingas etc, are always the next big thing. He could develop. Depends on desire, etc.

That sounds about right. I don't think he is going to be a bust, as in terrible. He clearly has skills. But you have to wonder with his slender frame if he is going to always be playing "soft" so to speak to avoid what is a high probability of injury if he tries to push himself too hard. Because of that, I have the sneaking feeling when all is said and done, his career will be underwhelming compared to the hype.

It makes sense because he has to know that he can't have a lasting (and likely very profitable) career if it ends prematurely from a serious injury. And that's assuming he can even avoid a major injury occurring coincidentally.

 

[JCSunsfan]

That sounds about right. I don't think he is going to be a bust, as in terrible. He clearly has skills. But you have to wonder with his slender frame if he is going to always be playing "soft" so to speak to avoid what is a high probability of injury if he tries to push himself too hard. Because of that, I have the sneaking feeling when all is said and done, his career will be underwhelming compared to the hype.

It makes sense because he has to know that he can't have a lasting (and likely very profitable) career if it ends prematurely from a serious injury. And that's assuming he can even avoid a major injury occurring coincidentally.

Bol Bol? Just 2 inches taller?

 

[Phrazbit]

I don't think he is going to be a bust, but I think he is going to fall miles short of the expectations. He will show flashes but I think he is destined for an array of injuries and I think he will perpetually be bullied by stronger players. A guy with some amazing highlights but also bad shooting numbers and a lot of turnovers.

I think he's going to be a tease.

 

[Phrazbit]

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He... looks... PUMPED!

 

[CardNots]

I don't think he is going to be a bust, but I think he is going to fall miles short of the expectations. He will show flashes but I think he is destined for an array of injuries and I think he will perpetually be bullied by stronger players. A guy with some amazing highlights but also bad shooting numbers and a lot of turnovers.

I think he's going to be a tease.

I remember when Duncan came into the league. Next to Robinson he seemed timid and looked like a boy amongst men. They grow up, sometimes anyway…

 

[Dan H]

I remember when Duncan came into the league. Next to Robinson he seemed timid and looked like a boy amongst men. They grow up, sometimes anyway…

Umm …

“In his rookie season, Duncan lived up to expectations of being the first draft pick, starting in all 82 regular season games, averaging 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.5 blocks per game, and earning All-NBA First Team honors.”

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Umm …

“In his rookie season, Duncan lived up to expectations of being the first draft pick, starting in all 82 regular season games, averaging 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.5 blocks per game, and earning All-NBA First Team honors.”

If only Ayton could look so timid and immature next to his competition.

 

[CardNots]

Umm …

“In his rookie season, Duncan lived up to expectations of being the first draft pick, starting in all 82 regular season games, averaging 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.5 blocks per game, and earning All-NBA First Team honors.”

I said he looked like a boy next to Robinson.

Duncan’s adaptation to the NBA was quick as he had four years of tough college basketball in a tough league. College basketball back them was like a semi-pro league compared with today.

 

[Dan H]

I said he looked like a boy next to Robinson.

Duncan’s adaptation to the NBA was quick as he had four years of tough college basketball in a tough league. College basketball back them was like a semi-pro league compared with today.

“In their first season together in 1997-98, Robinson and Duncan shared the load equally as Robinson averaged 21.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.63 blocks, while Duncan averaged 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.51 blocks.”

 

[az jam]

Victor Wembanyama is only 19 years. I think he will become a super star if he stays healthy. It will take a few years. Remember that Duncan played four years of college ball before he went pro. He is with the right team (Spurs) and coach (Popovich) to help him achieve success. It was a crowd & PR frenzy nightmare last night in Vegas for his debut. Spurs should get a center and play Wemba at PF so he is not beat up every game. An Ayton trade would make sense for the Spurs.

 

[Mainstreet]

I remember when Duncan came into the league. Next to Robinson he seemed timid and looked like a boy amongst men. They grow up, sometimes anyway…

After all, David Robinson was nicknamed the "Admiral" for his military service.