By Mohammed Akkawi, sports analyst and founder of Sport Scoop
The San Antonio Spurs won the draft lottery and secured the No. 1 overall pick last night, ensuring that they are likely to select French phenom Victor Wembanyama, a 7’3″ prodigy who will undoubtedly bring them back into the league’s spotlight. The Spurs were one of three teams with the best odds, 14%, to obtain the No. 1 pick. Nineteen-year-old Wembanyama has widely been hailed as the greatest NBA prospect since LeBron James and is expected to make an immediate impact in the league.
The San Antonio Spurs, a highly respected organization with a history of nurturing players and helping them reach their full potential in pursuit of championships, will have their first No. 1 overall pick since 1997 when they selected the legendary power forward Tim Duncan, who is regarded as the best in his position in NBA history and played a crucial role in winning five NBA championships for San Antonio.
All eyes are now on Wembanyama, and he seems ready for the challenge, sending a message to San Antonio: “I’m determined to win a ring ASAP,” Wembanyama told ESPN after the lottery results were announced. “So be ready.”
Direct impact:
Only a few players in NBA history have immediately changed the league and had a significant impact from their debut. Notable examples include LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. However, due to recent changes in the draft rules, with lower-seeded teams having a better chance of obtaining the first pick, Wembanyama, in this case, has already impacted the league even before playing a game, as teams were deliberately performing poorly to increase their chances of acquiring the talented French big man.
Why everyone is watching Wembanyama:
Never before in NBA history have we witnessed an athlete with such unique physical attributes. Standing at 7’3″ tall with an over 8-foot wingspan, Wembanyama possesses the ability to block shots, alter opponents’ shots, and finish at the rim with remarkable ease. Despite his size, he also demonstrates exceptional agility, coordination, and overall athleticism. Wembanyama’s versatility allows him to handle the ball, shoot from the perimeter, and create his own shot off the dribble.
NBA superstars are on alert:
When asked about Wembanyama, LeBron James described the Frenchman’s skill set as more of an “alien” than a “unicorn.” James stated, “No one has ever seen someone as tall as he is and as fluid and graceful on the floor. He’s definitely a generational talent.” Kevin Durant also shared his thoughts on the French big man, saying, ” “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.”
Moreover, Giannis Antetokounmpo mentioned that he sees Wembanyama as a big problem challenge, as he has never witnessed anything like him before in his life; where as Steph Curry praises the Frenchman saying “He’s like the [NBA] 2K create-a-player, every point guard that wants to be 7-foot. Cheat-code-type vibes, man. He’s a solid talent. It’s great to watch.”
The biggest challenge for Wembanyama is Wembanyama:
Recent high-pick drafts show that taller athletes have missed a greater percentage of games than their shorter counterparts. Throughout their careers, NBA players over 6’9″ in height missed 17.9% of their possible games in the regular season and playoffs due to injury, compared to just 13.5% for players under 6’8″ in height. The legendary Yao Ming is an outstanding example of a tall athlete who struggled with injuries as he announced his retirement from the NBA after eight seasons.
Despite his many injuries, none of them has prevented Wembanyama from reaching new heights. Time and time again, he has conquered every obstacle presented by an injury, defying the stereotype of every tall player by outlasting them all. However, the NBA is a big man’s game, and the physicality is much tougher than college basketball, increasing the risk of injury. Only time will tell if the injuries will prevent Wembanyama from reaching greatness, but playing with a great organization like the San Antonio Spurs and having a veteran head coach like Pop will certainly help in avoiding career-ending ones.
Wembanyama had a shot at the GOAT already!
In a matter of seconds, Michael Jordan experienced a loss of $750 million when the Spurs acquired Wembanyama. Regrettably for MJ, his Hornets secured the second pick, resulting in missed opportunities not only for a player who could have rapidly transformed his team’s performance but also for hundreds of millions of dollars. According to an NBA executive who spoke to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, acquiring Wembanyama could have instantaneously raised a franchise’s worth by $750 million (AUD). Considering the speculations about Jordan contemplating the sale of his team, this substantial amount could have directly contributed to his personal wealth.
Time will tell:
We shall wait and see if Wembanyama can turn the San Antonio Spurs around right away and transform them from a low seed to a championship contender, positioning himself as an all-time great.
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