12 votes

Is Victor Wembanyama actually the truth? Or are we gonna get burned again?

Okay, this is a pretty simple question, but is Wembanyama actually going to be all that he's hyped up to be? I just feel like I've been burned before by this talk around a once in a generation talent (cough cough Ben Simmons, cough cough Zion Williamson). I really do like where he landed in San Antonio given their track record with developing big men in the past but I just don't know. I've seen his games in Europe and he looks great, but I worry about his durability. What do you all think?

8 comments

  1. [3]
    AnthonyB
    Link
    I don't know how anyone in their right mind can call this guy a lock with the body he has. The only comp in NBA history with a great, healthy, lengthy career is Kareem. Other lanky, stringbean...

    I don't know how anyone in their right mind can call this guy a lock with the body he has. The only comp in NBA history with a great, healthy, lengthy career is Kareem. Other lanky, stringbean types that lived up to the hype like Garnett were under 7 ft and were able to bulk up a bit as their career progressed. Sampson, Bradley, Bol, Yao, (Chet?), etc. all had to deal with injuries, which shouldn't be a surprise since they were jumping hundreds of times a day and constantly banging bodies with guys that are significantly bulkier.

    4 votes
    1. [2]
      Stroopwafel
      Link Parent
      Oh for sure. The injury component is huge. As a Nuggets fan, I remember when Bol Bol first got some playing time in games and how terrified I was every time he went up for a contested ball. I...

      Oh for sure. The injury component is huge. As a Nuggets fan, I remember when Bol Bol first got some playing time in games and how terrified I was every time he went up for a contested ball. I wonder if Wemby will be able to bulk up a decent bit before pre-season and whether that will help. But then again, given his size, there's only so much muscle he can put on.

      2 votes
      1. kuraitengai
        Link Parent
        But was he talking about Bol Bol or Manute?

        But was he talking about Bol Bol or Manute?

  2. Corsy
    Link
    I mean, you're definitely going to get burnt again. Now, whether that's with Victor or not is "we'll see"

    I mean, you're definitely going to get burnt again. Now, whether that's with Victor or not is "we'll see"

    2 votes
  3. [4]
    DiggWasCool
    (edited )
    Link
    Not disagreeing with you, /u/Stroopwafel, but was Ben Simmons called a generational talent? Maybe I wasn't paying enough attention when he was drafted so I missed it completely. I know we were all...

    Not disagreeing with you, /u/Stroopwafel, but was Ben Simmons called a generational talent? Maybe I wasn't paying enough attention when he was drafted so I missed it completely.

    I know we were all too excited about Zion and no we're all looking back on it thinking if the same could happen with Victor.

    1 vote
    1. stu2b50
      Link Parent
      Yes he absolutely was, he was supposed to be the second coming of Lebron James. Rookie of the year, one of the youngest DPOY, so forth.

      Yes he absolutely was, he was supposed to be the second coming of Lebron James. Rookie of the year,
      one of the youngest DPOY, so forth.

      5 votes
    2. [2]
      Mr_Cromer
      Link Parent
      When Zion was on the come up he had ridiculous amounts of hype. A friend of mine was the lone voice on the chat saying that he would expect Ja Morant to have a better career because injuries (now...

      When Zion was on the come up he had ridiculous amounts of hype. A friend of mine was the lone voice on the chat saying that he would expect Ja Morant to have a better career because injuries (now there's another waste of talent), but we all shouted him down because have you seen Zion bro?

      I wasn't actively watching basketball when LeBron was on the comeup, but I'm pretty sure that's the only guy before Zion whose hype exceeded his.

      2 votes
      1. Thunder-ten-tronckh
        Link Parent
        Maybe I'm just hopelessly optimistic, but I really think Ja will have his shit together after this suspension. Smart is going to lead by example, and Rose can keep it real with Ja in a way that he...

        Maybe I'm just hopelessly optimistic, but I really think Ja will have his shit together after this suspension. Smart is going to lead by example, and Rose can keep it real with Ja in a way that he has to respect. I think those were lowkey genius acquisitions, despite the Grizzlies' need of a wing. Stabilizing Ja is like priority number one for that organization.