NBA needs Victor Wembanyama draft to improve its shaky image
Victor Wembanyama will officially enter the NBA on Thursday during the NBA Draft at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The NBA needs this night.
It would be more tempting to go to a larger market. But the league desperately needs a new young superstar and a No. 1 pick who can finally reach his full potential.
Since 2016, first choice has been a curse.
The top two picks in the 2019 draft, Zion Williamson and Ja Morant, were on their way to superstardom only to have their paths derailed. Instead of carrying the unity of Adam Silver on their shoulders, this talented duo embarrassed the league.
Williamson's spate of injuries and reports of objectionable behavior toward women, as well as Morant's spate of gun violence, have tarnished the NBA's image.
NBA is looking for new team icons
With LeBron James possibly on the verge of retiring after next season and the recent Hall of Fame trio of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden infuriating fans with their flashy performances, the NBA needs hope.
Subsequently, French unicorn Wembanyama, a 7-foot-4 center, was selected No. 1 overall by the San Antonio Spurs. Top NBA news anchor ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski calls him "the greatest prospect in the history of team sports"
No one in America really watched him play when he was playing for the French league's Metropolitan 92 team.
But some nonpartisan leaders also expect good things to happen if Wembanyama stays healthy. That's no small feat given his skyscraper-like size and slender frame (230 pounds).
Why the French are so special
Wembanyama can do it all on the court - he has the dribbling/passing skills of a point guard, the touch of a shooting guard and the defensive agility of a small forward. Oh, and he also has an 8-foot wingspan and is a great shot-blocker.
This kid is a generational player, with one NBA personnel director saying "It's too early to compare him to anyone but himself." But he has the potential to be great. I've never seen a player of his size and ability, so the world should be better prepared for the Wemby show. The hype is real. ''
There was already controversy over Wembanyama's initial decision not to participate in any of the Spurs' summer league games in Las Vegas, which has become the NBA's premier showcase with all 30 teams and ESPN coverage.
In France this week, Wembanyama told a player in French that he might "play a little bit" but that could mean competition.
This makes sense. The French league season ends on Thursday, ahead of this summer's World Cup. Training camp for the French team begins in early August and the tournament will continue until September to select the best teams. In 2021, France almost won the Olympic gold medal.
Why Tottenham would be good for him
The Spurs have won five NBA championships since 1999, but San Antonio remains the sixth-smallest team in the television market and is coming off a 22-win season.
However, the Spurs will likely be on national television as often as the New Orleans Pelicans were during Williamson's rookie year. But it didn't go well, and Williamson was limited to just 24 games due to injury.
"There is no such thing as a big market anymore," the human resources manager said."(San Antonio) is actually good for him. He needs that environment to develop.''
In a conference call interview on Monday, ESPN draft analyst Jay Bilas said the Spurs have the right coach to develop the 19-year-old.
"Any great talent will be a good fit with Gregg Popovich," Bilas said. "He's one of the best coaches of all time, so it won't be a problem. Vunbanyama is one of a kind. I've never seen anyone like him on the basketball court. 7-foot-4, crazy personality The length, mobility, athleticism and agility, I can't imagine that combination on a basketball court. I think it's clear that Wembanyama is going to be great."
Currently the first placement failed
The latest No. 1 pick hasn't proven to be a game-changer. Markelle Fulz and Ben Simmons, the top picks in 2016 and 2017, are battling mental and physical issues and clinging to relevance.
Suns center Deandre Ayton, the 2018 No. 1 pick, fell out of favor in Phoenix. Anthony Edwards, the 2020 No. 1 overall pick, was selected as an all-time player last season. Star, but played in Minnesota and didn't put his team on the map like a franchise player.
Detroit's Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 overall pick in 2021, missed most of last season due to injury and became a reserve player in the league while playing for one of the NBA's worst teams.
Paolo Banchero, last year's No. 1 overall pick and the 2023 Rookie of the Year, was a standout player at Duke. But he doesn't look like a generational talent while toiling away in the basketball desert of Orlando.
Betting Odds
There is almost no action when betting on first place. At Betonline.org, you have to wager $20,000 to win $100. Both the second and third picks are active, with two big favorites: guard Scoot Henderson, who played in the G-League (instead of college), and Brandon Rice Brandon Miller, a 6-foot-9 power forward from Alabama.
Henderson is the favorite to finish second at 10-13; Miller even has money. The bet on "the other party" is 33:1.
More options at 3: According to Henderson at 5-7 and Miller at 6-5:
Amen Thompson 14/1 +1400
Cam Whitmore 16/ 1 + 1600 Azul Thompson 40/1 +4000
Jalas Walker 50/1
Both Henderson and Miller have question marks. Henderson is an elite driver but still doesn't have a reliable jump shot. Miller is having a great season, but critics say his numbers have dropped significantly compared to top-50 teams.
No one disputes Venbanyama's strengths, which include his excellent defense in transition. But then again, no one is worried about Williamson and Morant.
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Source: www.casino.org
