Wembanyama, Scoot and an NBA tank culture renaissance
Two of the best recent prospects face off, and NBA fans salivate.
Good morning. Let’s basketball.
Victor Wembanyama made his American debut on Tuesday night, starring for French club Metropolitans 92 in an exhibition against Scoot Henderson and the G League Ignite. Wembanyama is the most celebrated European prospect since Luka Doncic and the most celebrated 7-foot prospect since … like, maybe ever? Henderson is a lightning bolt of a prospect in his own right, a player who would be a future No. 1 pick if not for Wembanyama. As such, this game was highly anticipated in draftnik circles — so much so, in fact, that ESPN stole a scoop on the game’s scheduling from an independent publisher.
Wembanyama and Scoot lived up to every bit of the hype, and then some.
First, let’s talk about Wembanyama. He does things few 18-year-old prospects of any size can do. The fluidity, footwork and skill level of his moves to create breathing room on offense and to close space on defense are elite at any size … and he’s 7’4 with an 8-foot wingspan. It’s like someone took a young Kevin Durant and stretched him out. It’s like someone took Rudy Gobert and gave him a dose of Steph Curry serum.
This is just outrageous. As you’d expect, at some point in the proceedings, NBA Twitter turned to tank talk because if you’re one of the 12 or so worst teams in the NBA after a month, it’s almost professional malpractice not to tank for this dude. A special talent. No one is ever a sure thing. Not even LeBron James was a sure thing. But this is a special talent.
The wonderful thing about Tuesday’s game is that it was a bit of a coming-out party for Scoot Henderson as well. His American basketball fame precedes that of Wembanyama, and he’s headed for the 2023 NBA Draft as well. And in Year 2 with Ignite, he’s on national TV looking like the second coming of Derrick Rose, going almost shot for shot with the great Wembanyama.
The play at 1:25 there … what?? An 18-year-old with that level of handle who can also shoot, pass and fly? And who has the body control to get around an elite rim protector? What??
It is obvious these are the two best NBA prospects in the world. Scoot is No. 2 only because size is a still an NBA trump card. The last four NBA MVPs are Giannis Antetokounmpo twice and Nikola Jokic twice. Joel Embiid was the runner-up the last two seasons. Size still matters, and Wembanyama’s size is such an obvious asset for any team that Scoot would need to be Jordan Incarnate to overcome that and become No. 1. But Henderson is going to be a WONDERFUL consolation prize for whoever gets the No. 2 pick.
The great Jay Caspian Kang wondered what Wembanyama would get on the free agent market if there were no NBA Draft. The answer: whatever the maximum contract is. Take it, go on and take it. If there were no limits on contracts, someone out here would be dropping old Magic Johnson contracts on Wembanyama’s porch. How does $400 million over 10 years sound, mon frere?
This is sort of the core “problem” with the NBA Draft and the concept that the league will ever be able to stop tanking, right? Probably 2/3rds of the league RIGHT NOW would give up their best player to get this kid on their roster. But instead of any sort of bidding or decision-making, his fate is going to come down to luck between terrible teams trying to lose games all season. So long as the draft exists, tanking must. It’s too rational when you have prospects like Victor Wembanyama floating around.
Anyway, some good news for you: this is a two-game set. Ignite and Mets 92 play again on Thursday! More Wembanyama, more Scoot, maybe some more fireworks. And I think given the stakes here we’re on full-season tank watch and full-season Wemby watch.
Other Highlights
Wembanyama and Scoot dominated attention on Tuesday but let’s point out three other players of note from the evening’s exhibition slate.
1. Zion Williamson is back.
We’ll talk about the Pelicans more soon, but the synergy between Zion and C.J. McCollum is going to be really fascinating to watch. McCollum might be a really, really smooth fit with Point Zion.
2. Put Dyson Daniels in the mix.
Sticking with the Pels, rookie Dyson Daniels showed some stuff. If they have yet another nice young prospect, especially in the backcourt …
3. Jaden Ivey looked really smooth in his preseason debut.
Schedule
All times Eastern.
Pacers at Hornets, 7 PM
Cavaliers at Sixers, 7 PM, NBA TV
Raptors at Celtics, 7:30 PM
Mavericks at Thunder, 8 PM
Suns at Lakers, 10 PM, NBA TV
What’s the Best Wembanyama Landing Spot?
There was a lot of chatter on NBA Twitter about where fans would like to see Wembanyama land, assuming neutral allegiance. I suggested that the Lakers winning the lottery and having to swap picks with the Pelicans, resulting in Wembanyama pairing with Zion, would be incredible, and that’s not even taking into account my feelings about the Lakers. (I mean, not entirely.) There was a lot of energy behind the Thunder winning No. 1 and pairing Wembanyama with Chet Holmgren.
What about Charlotte with LaMelo Ball? Or Houston with Jalen Green? Or Detroit with Cade and Ivey? Or Indiana with Tyrese Haliburton? Or Utah with uhhhh errrr uhhh some other future prospects?
Let’s hear from you: where do you want to see Wembanyama land next year?
Be excellent to each other.
How about San Antonio with Duncan mentoring and the other Spurs-y stuff.
Magic Five Man Lineup: Mo Bamba- Bol Bol- Wendall Carter- Franz Wagner - Wembanyama at point