Luka is a phenom no doubt. There are still some reservations about predicting NBA stardom via Euro league accolades. Sacramento kicks themselves every day Im sure and thanks to Luka more NBA teams will probably ease their opinions on European players and stop buying into the "unicorns" with guys like Marvin Bagley. Sengun won Turkish MVP at a young age too so you have a point in drafting sub 20 yr old European MVPs. I think the point is that NBA success is hardly guranteed by being a Euro league MVP/champion.
That's exactly my point and you are proving it, my friend. As a prospect, Wembanyama has not done anything more than Sengun has. The difference between being a Euroleague MVP at age 18 and being a French/Turkish League MVP at age 18 is much more bigger than the most of the Americans anticipate. We can't really judge if being a Euroleague MVP at age 18 guarentees success in the NBA or not since Luka is the only player who ever achieved that and most likely will keep that title for a long time.
Im fine with that. If there is another 18 year old Euroleague MVP I would probably guess that he will do well in the NBA. Conversely I think its foolish to think Wembanyama will be a bad NBA player due to not playing or earning an MVP in a similar fashion because a guy his size with his skill package has never been seen before in the sport. Guys 7'4 shouldnt be able to do what he does on a basketball court.
IN MY OPINION, his size is more weakness than strength for the skillset he has and he's almost guarenteed to have a major injury at some point of his career. I'm not saying he'll be a bad NBA player if he can stay healthy. Porzingis is a good NBA player and i think he's much more likely to be Porzingis caliber player than a superstar (again if he stays healthy). But ultimately i'm not saying he's going to be a complete bust or i'm not saying he's going to be a superstar. All i'm saying is he's not as big of a prospect as he's been advertised.
Injury history among guys that big is a valid concern. Wemby has a way better skill package than Porzingis. You're entitled to your opinion, but just remember almost every single basketball analyst on planet Earth has billed Wemby as one of the best prospects in history. You might be a brilliant basketball mind and I mean you no ill will, but I have to lean towards guys who have been scouting for a long time and how they view him as a prospect over guys like you and me who talk sports around a water cooler.
Of course he is a massive injury risk. Like Sampson, like Yao, like Oden, like Porz. Doesn't mean he is not the greatest prospect most of us have ever seen in our lifetimes thus far. NBA teams would 100% take him over LeBron if they were in the same draft and there would be no questions asked.
The following two guys obviously know nothing about basketball skills, the comparable strengths of NON-NBA pro leagues, evaluating talent, etc. Just a couple of wannabe experts: Kevin Durant: "That type of talent and skill just puts a smile on your face if you play basketball. The evolution of the game has taken us this far. We got a 7'5" dude that's able to do everything on the court. It's inspiring to a lot of people." LeBron: "Everybody has been labeling this unicorn THING. everybody has been a unicorn for the last two years, but he's more like an alien. I've never seen -- no one has ever seen anyone as tall as he is, but as fluid and as graceful as he is out on the floor. His ability to put the ball on the floor, shoot step-back jumpers out of the post, step-back 3s, catch-and-shoot 3s, block shots ... He's for sure a generational talent." But hey, you're entitled to your take, even if that take has size 49 shoes and a red ball for a nose.
Off topic but anybody else think we can still land Scoot at #3? I can’t imagine the Pistons taking Scoot if they land the #2 pick.
I indeed am entitled to my take. I might end up being hilariously wrong, i might look like a clown as you pointed out. But i would NEVER quote basketball players praising their colleagues like that means a ****. Especially when there's a pretty good chance that those basketball players did not even watch 2 full games of the colleague they praise.
I'd imagine Detroit would try to trade the pick if that happened. No shortage of teams that could use a generational point.
I'm not seeing a "Generational Point" in Henderson, yes I think he's a quality prospect, but we throw that term around every year it seems - He doesn't have some freakish size or combine skills that make him truly special and he's short by NBA standards at 6'2". Wemby might be a generational talent .... like Lebron & Magic before him.
Not my team if I were in that draft, Bron coming out was combo of Magic / Kidd / Shaq (or K Malone), plus Bron had no worries about injury bug coming into draft, which would cause pause for teams based on those players you mentioned that got career stifled by injuries Some teams may draft Wemby over Bron but not 100% landslide, no way no how, but I don't know much, just my two cents
Wemby is exciting he is the modern Ralph Sampson he is also built like a stick, and most guys that size break..... DD
Funny cause you had tons of posts last draft hoping we'd draft Chet cause he was "going to be a star" without any concern for his frame. Don't worry though, you weren't alone.
as someone mentioned before, it’s not just the colleagues take. It’s like 99% of scouts and GMs on the whole planet. Is it more likely that they’re all wrong about his potential. Or that you’re wrong? Serious question
Agreed that Detroit is a team to look out for if they get the second pick. That would mean either Scoot or Ivey is available. Either would be an upgrade to KPJ.
Agreed on the term "generational" gets thrown around too much. Scoot might not be generational, but he is has a lot of things about him that makes him future star material. I could be wrong, but I'd draft him over guys like Cade, Ivey, etc.
Assuming we do not land Wemby or Scoot(the chances are not great). Man, that Keyonte George kid looks like a future stud. Good handle, good in space, crafty off the catch and shoot, oh and he can shoot. Yes his 3 is off to start the season but shooting 86% from the line on 5 attempts a game. Really like what I see there, even over the Thompson twins.
