David Robinson had it all from a physical standpoint. Bounded up and down the court like a guard. He's a cerebral guy and I think he spent too much time thinking on the court frankly. But he had it all. Saw him play live and was incredibly springy and strong. Also one of the nicest professional athletes ever.
@@Cotswolds1913 For that era he was sorta unprecedented. Hakeem was better but David had the athletic package. Bigs didn't handle the ball like that back then. He was not as instinctual a player...shot too many midrange J's. But he covered so much ground. He was really too nice a guy to be a killer but he had it all for a big man at that time. But no, not a guard in center's body.
@@julius2790 I'm too young to have seen either when they were in their primes, but from watching video I definitely find Hakeem significantly more impressive than Robinson. Maybe its something that required the context of the era and the time to evaluate properly.
@@geebster. Hakeem was better no doubt. But David had the PERFECT physical package for a basketball player. I think playing ball was one of many things he was good at rather than something he was obsessed with. We are talking about a guy who went to the Naval Academy and was an officer. Basketball for him was a career. I don't think he was as competitive as a lot of the other guys in the league. The kind of guy who tended to be good at whatever he tried to do. He wasn't as driven as Hakeem. You have to remember how much of the game is mental. David didn't have the same mentality. But compared to Hakeem, Ewing and even a young Shaq David was faster, better coordinated and had a better physical profile. The game was probably just too easy for him. David was taller than Hakeem and with a longer reach. much faster and more coordinated than Ewing and had much better lateral movement than Shaq. But he didn't have the same mentality. When Tim Duncan came to the Spurs you had a guy with a lesser physical profile who had a VASTLY superior mentality and competitive drive. A guy who I think was better than all of them. But it's an interesting debate for sure.
@@Cotswolds1913 nah idk ab that, watch a young david robinson and he really does look like giannis out there. he could handle and shoot and was definitely fluid for someone his size, it was just different back then for bigs
Ralph Sampson was a beast b4 injury. Don’t forget Bill Walton was a huge prospect and excellent NBA player before he was injured. Walton moved like he was a 6-8 small forward but he was huge.
Speaking of prospects that are before Simmons' time, I would list skinny Arvydas Sabonis. Few of us got to see him play in the early to mid 80s, before he got really thick but retained the same skill set. There's a game between the Soviet national team and UVa with Ralph Sampson that should be checked out (IIRC, Cavs won in OT)
Man, its such a big what-if. I've always wondered if Sabonis was able to play in Portland in his prime with Drexler, Porter and those guys, would they be able to win a chip or two.
He wasn’t that exciting in college. Go watch his final year in the ncaa tournament. It wasn’t clear that he would be the unstoppable presence that he became. He stayed in college for 3 years for a reason. Go watch his game against Laettner.
Normally I don't buy into prospects, I want to see them in the league first. But man, Victor blows my damn mind. That size with those handles and that fluidity shouldn't be possible, and especially so young. If he can put on some muscle dude will be literally unstoppable barring injury.
You could argue that he’s this good because he’s so thin. His mobility at his size is unheard of and I feel like if he even gains 10 pounds his entire game will be thrown off
@@andrewnaranjo6514 nah, 10-15 pounds is what you want. The key is not putting it on too fast, that’s when it can ruin his skillset. By year 3, if he bulks up 10 lbs he’ll be fine
To not name Shaq as a one of the top5-7 NBA center prospects is amateur hour. Shaq averaged 28, 15, 5 blocks, 1.5 spg on 63 FG% as a 19/20 year old sophomore at LSU and was awesome day 1 in NBA as well. Zion over Durant Shaq Duncan AD as a prospect is insanity.
I think he’s talking about hype more than anything. Zion was definitely more hyped than AD and Durant. I’m not old enough to remember what people were saying about the other guys.
@@jacobwilkins8761 right. People wasn't too exicet about shaq because he was ao physicall than they were not sure he ciuld bully people in NBA like he did in college
@@thaitran9640 lol I would agree with you if we were in the middle of a normal distribution curve, but these players are 99.999th percentile in height/length, and a guy like Wemby is far more impactful because of how he moves than an extra inch of height. Ask Tacko Fall.
I’m French, I follow Victor since he’s 14-15. He’ turned pro 3 years ago, he’s first seconds game we’re in Eurocup (little sister of the Euroligue) 3 clubs (franchise) this last 3 years. This dude is ready. He’s just has to be careful with his body and injuries. He did stay at ASVEL (the club owned by Tony Parker) cause he wanted to be in the center of the project, just an anticipation on his future… next year… to handle pressure, become a leader etc…
Kareem was mobile for sure and the balance was on par with hakeem, but i think vic can move laterally a lot better and has a better stop to go speed, i think rookie kevin garnett’s body proportions with porzingis height
We might start having big guys that don't have the injury problems of the past. The difference is, if a big guy can gather himself, he can keep his ankles under his knees and his knees under his hips. So by not having different parts of you body moving in different directions, you're much less likely to get injured.
The things I’d do to see a squad of Tyrese Haliburton, Chris Duarte, Bennedict Mathurin and Victor Wembanyama. It’s the perfect fit. I also think Charlotte would be really fun if we had Vic and Lamelo. But please basketball gods bless the Pacers for once
Nah don’t wish that man Wembanyama Charlotte my G! Send him to a team that is actually relevant and he can flourish, no to a team where nobody in the world cares about 😂😂
@@BabylonGateLA Charlotte is a major city in America now lol. And they weren’t even that bad last year. They went 43-39. Victor on them would be a legit squad
I agree, but there's tbh only Wizards, Jazz, Spurs, Kings are teams that I wouldn't be particularly excited about him joining their current players. Rockets, Magic, Thunder, Pacers, Knicks ,Pistons maybe Hornets with Lamelo would all be exciting destinations. But obviously wherever he goes the future will look 100 times brighter and everyone will watch.
I like Wemby or just Vic. The other nicknames seem forced like when they tried to make everyone call Mahomes “showtime” for 3 weeks but it never stuck bc it felt totally forced
@@r-trippin5078 because he will be there with no true 2, just like Luka in Dallas. Generational talent is so good they start competing for the playoffs asap and dont allow their teams to get other draft talent. I rather him go to a team like Pistons, Charlotte, Houston, or OKC where there is talent and ppl that can get him the ball.
Wemby going to the Pistons, teaming up with Cade, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren 🤤🤤🤤 dude. I go nuts thinking about it. For Wemby's immediate and long term future, I think Detroit is his best landing spot. Those four guys win a chip within 5-6 years.
Lived in Detroit for nearly 40 years, it won't happen but if minor injuries give Det a chance at this dude I'll freak out... Cade, Ivey, Bey, Duren, and Wemby would be a top 3 in the league starting five. Sprinkle in a vet or two and then we'd really have something like we almost did after the 03 draft. I won't even say his name but if we draft ANYBODY else (Wade, Bosh, Melo) we not only win in 2004 but probably 3 maybe 4 more.
Luka was an amazing prospect, being an Euroleague MVP is way better accomplishment than any acomplishment by any US prospect ever, it's not even close.
Luka was probably the second best euro prospect after Ricky Rubio, but not of the the nba best prospects though. Zion who came a year after luka came in with more hype .
Because Americans don’t give a shit about Euroligue, but trust me the Euroligue level is deep. Less athletic than NBA but players are better in terms of fondamental, coaches are tactical experts, refs know how to ref, and public pressure is different… could be crazy af. Put some respect on European basketball !!! Giannis, Jokic, Lucas, Gobert, they all win an individual trophy those last couple years.
Yeah I mean the way they rated bums playing NCAA hoops with zero defense over a guy that was dominating Euroligue games at 17 was crazy. But everyone in europe knew he was going to be a megastar.
If he is some combination of Rudy Gobert (defensively) and Klay Thompson (offensively) he will be a perennial allstar and compete for championships on the right team. If he is a Rudy Gobert/Kevin Durant combo, there are no words to describe that yet.
SHAQ was easily best prospect center in the last 30 years. He came to the leage that was built on big men, at the peak of that era and he generated sooo much hype. And totally delivered to that hype. Well at least for the first 7-8 years
How can you only mention Shaq once?! We’ve never seen or will see anyone like Shaq ever again. He was an absolute beast. I personally saw him play a few times in person and it just wasn’t fair. Same as it’s going to be for VW (V Dub would be a good nickname
Also, amongst the greatest center prospects, I'm surprised, Shaq, Tim, and David Robertson aren't on your list. They were all sure fire, and turned out that way.
He's 100% the best raw prospect ever! I mean come on,it's okay too say it. If he stays healthy this league will belong to Big Vik for a lot of years to come. He will dominate and will win multiple championships and break all kinds of records. This young man is the real deal! ✌️
I was so pissed when the Spurs started the season 5-2 thinking they had taken themselves out of the sweepstakes. But thank god they did so they didn't end up in Detroit's spot drafting #5 haha.
Honestly, like length and defense aside, it feels like Vic plays more like, the perfect version of the Dirk Style Power Forward. Really he could even play as a Combo Foward like Giannis and KD.
I want EVERYONE to go watch footage of Chris Jackson( Mahmoud Abdul Rauf ). He played one year, with both Shaq and Stanley Roberts. But, in his Rookie Year, CHRIS JACKSON WAS THE GREATEST COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAYER EVER( Breaking Pete Maravich Records, at LSU ).
if shaq and wemby was in the same draft class, id still pick shaq.. size skill and built, shaq is a more sure thing to dominate... wemby may hav a better skillsets, but shaq is a far greater sure 2 points inside..and shaq wudv bin a better reboundr.....and sheer intimidation i may even pick shaq over mj and lbj on the same draft class
My dad, a lifetime Indiana Hoosiers fan who has nothing to say about non-Indiana guys, will pipe up every now and then about Ralph Sampson. The hype around Sampson was probably even more then than Wembanyama now. The thing he remembers most is announcers from high school on, "Ralph Sampson is 7'1" and still growing!" "Ralph Sampson is 7'2" and still growing!" "Ralph Sampson is 7'3" and still growing!" "Ralph Sampson is 7'4" and still growing!" The buzz around that guy was incredible as just having a guy with that size was already insane, let alone with a face up game that was better than his back to the basket game. Oh and he was a 3 time national player of the year for Virginia. All that being said, Wembanyama is still just a better prospect.
Wemby has one thing that makes him the best defensive prospect ever. His length and coordination is so rare, he literally shuts down the paint and mid range. In order to beat his teams you're going to need incredible pull up three point shooting.
Let’s see if he can stay healthy. At his size, history hasn’t been kind to players above 7’2. There’s also his competition. Shaq brought up a very good point. VW hasn’t played anybody yet. Let’s see him play against solid NBA power forwards and centers. I’d love to hear Jerry West’s opinion. Jerry will be able to assess a player after watching him play a NBA player. He watched Kobe play against Michael Cooper and realized Kobe was going to be star.
For now, at this moment, October 10, 2022, I think Wemby will be good; he’s no where near Shaq, Hakeem, Bill, Wilt, or Kareem. I will believe it when I see it. In terms of potential, sky’s the limit, but I’m not a scout, I’m an avid fan of the game and will wait and see.
I predict he’ll be a super impactful defender from day 1, but the offense will take a few years to catch up. Not that the Spurs will complain with that.
@@Obiamajoyisrmd This is so silly and disrespectful. Kareem was still a great player well into the 80s when most people would agree was the NBA’s Golden Era. And amongst those part-time students or plumbers, he also had to go up against Wilt Chamberlain, Willis Reed, Bill Walton, Dave Cowens etc. you know, guys that somehow made the top 75 all-time player list.
@@Riles3152 send me your address so I can send you some toddler reading comprehension books. Read my comment and the original one again. What are we talking about? College. Aka pre-NBA. What’s this video about? Prospects. Aka pre-NBA. Your reading comprehension is trash.
Imagine if he guards against injury and cuts out all the point guard bullshit and focuses on his unlockable shooting, and straight up shot blocking. He would still be a great star
“He’s 7’4”, feels like he’s taller than 7’4”, he’s 7’5””. Yes , cause that inch difference is obviously visible and noticeable from a distance, and especially at that height 🙄.
He's still the number 1 pick easy but I can't help but shake his long term injury risk. It's like how I felt about Zion coming into the league but for an opposite reason. Zion generated so much force that while his muscle could handle his weight, his ligaments & tendons are a different story. Victor's height & speed will put serious force on his connective tissue. He might be TOO athletic for his body frame to actually sustain.
I believe Ralph was the biggest prospect since Kareem. Granted I hated him as a UNC fan but he was better (3x College Player of the Year) than any of those you mentioned. I think Victor is very similar to Ralph but with a better outside game.
@@skywalker2759 I don’t know how you’re so thoroughly missing the point. Bill was talking about how much these guys were hyped and how great they seemed in their time. No kidding Victor looks better. He looks better than Lebron as a prospect if we’re going just off play. That wasn’t the point though and your weirdness against Sampson shows you really didn’t understand this video. Sampson is a HOF’er for what he did AS A PROSPECT so I think it’s more than appropriate he was brought up here.
Victor just has it. He clearly works hard at his craft and wants to be great. Injury is the only thing that could hold him back, but he doesn’t seem to have a history of it from what I understand
He already had a concerning foot injury which is very much a big man injury. I'll be shocked if injury doesn't play a huge part in his career - he's just too tall and especially trying to move like he does, it's gonna be bad news for his body
It's Really Cool that next season Giannis, Luka, Jokic, Embiid and Wembenyama are all foreign born players and 5 of the VERY Best players in the NBA. Remember when Dirk and Nash won MVPs and it was shocking that the MVP wasn't an American player. Basketball is in a fun place right now.
Only thing though is that he’s been a pro- Been developing with pro coaches 24/7 since 15 years old, accelerates development. But in terms of freak of nature- tops the list
Barefoot or in shoes? He's not 7'4" cause he's shorter than Mark Eaton and Ralph Sampson but you can look at pictures of all these guys standing next to each other. Bill has mentioned photos of all them at the NBA 50 year anniversary. Supposedly Walton was 7'2" and Kareem towers over him, which I think is where Bill is getting 7'4". Kareem was probably 7'3" though
The Sean Bradley hype train was real ... through a Mormon mission all the way to Space Jam ... every conversation was "never seen" and "change the game"
Thank you for mentioning Ralph Sampson. Who was 7'4" coming outta UVA. #1 overall pick. During college, Sampson won three Naismith Awards. His prime was robbed due to injuries. He made one NBA Finals with Hakeem and lost to BS guy, Larry Joe Bird 🏀
Throughout NBA history, there have probably been only a handful of #1 pics that it was almost if not absolutely a foregone conclusion that they were going to be a superstar, and to literally no one’s surprise that’s exactly what they became: Kareem, Shaq, Duncan, LeBron and if you Would like to consider him a superstar (Which for a number of reasons I don’t) Anthony Davis (Ewing and Robinson as well). IF this kid stays healthy, he will be the next.
David Robinson had it all from a physical standpoint. Bounded up and down the court like a guard. He's a cerebral guy and I think he spent too much time thinking on the court frankly. But he had it all. Saw him play live and was incredibly springy and strong. Also one of the nicest professional athletes ever.
He didn't quite have the fluidity of movement though, ability to get low, directional change (handle to go with it), it's a lil different.
@@Cotswolds1913 For that era he was sorta unprecedented. Hakeem was better but David had the athletic package. Bigs didn't handle the ball like that back then. He was not as instinctual a player...shot too many midrange J's. But he covered so much ground. He was really too nice a guy to be a killer but he had it all for a big man at that time. But no, not a guard in center's body.
@@julius2790 I'm too young to have seen either when they were in their primes, but from watching video I definitely find Hakeem significantly more impressive than Robinson. Maybe its something that required the context of the era and the time to evaluate properly.
@@geebster. Hakeem was better no doubt. But David had the PERFECT physical package for a basketball player. I think playing ball was one of many things he was good at rather than something he was obsessed with. We are talking about a guy who went to the Naval Academy and was an officer. Basketball for him was a career. I don't think he was as competitive as a lot of the other guys in the league. The kind of guy who tended to be good at whatever he tried to do. He wasn't as driven as Hakeem. You have to remember how much of the game is mental. David didn't have the same mentality. But compared to Hakeem, Ewing and even a young Shaq David was faster, better coordinated and had a better physical profile. The game was probably just too easy for him. David was taller than Hakeem and with a longer reach. much faster and more coordinated than Ewing and had much better lateral movement than Shaq. But he didn't have the same mentality. When Tim Duncan came to the Spurs you had a guy with a lesser physical profile who had a VASTLY superior mentality and competitive drive. A guy who I think was better than all of them. But it's an interesting debate for sure.
@@Cotswolds1913 nah idk ab that, watch a young david robinson and he really does look like giannis out there. he could handle and shoot and was definitely fluid for someone his size, it was just different back then for bigs
So not mentioning Shaq in the all time center prospects was a bit of an oversight. Young Shaq was a freak of nature.
Yup I was looking for this comment 🎯
Shaq being ignored is a travesty.... But Simmons being a Boston shill and hence an anti-laker it makes sense
it is shaq
Doesn't he list him on the pod though as best prospects ever?
Yep thumbs downed the whole thing just cuz really you don't mention Shaq!
Shaq was the best center prospect in my lifetime. Wemby is something else.
Crazy how he can forget Shaq 😂
The first guy I thought of was Shaq.
Also; Alonzo Mourning
Agreed
You young guys! Shaq had no skills!
Ralph Sampson was a beast b4 injury. Don’t forget Bill Walton was a huge prospect and excellent NBA player before he was injured. Walton moved like he was a 6-8 small forward but he was huge.
Speaking of prospects that are before Simmons' time, I would list skinny Arvydas Sabonis. Few of us got to see him play in the early to mid 80s, before he got really thick but retained the same skill set. There's a game between the Soviet national team and UVa with Ralph Sampson that should be checked out (IIRC, Cavs won in OT)
Sabonis before his injuries, that would have great to see. One of the great what if's
Very good shout @VimalMurthy
Great observation ! He was a beast and one of the few old-school centers that would thrive in today's game.
Man, its such a big what-if. I've always wondered if Sabonis was able to play in Portland in his prime with Drexler, Porter and those guys, would they be able to win a chip or two.
No love for Shaq as a great center prospect ?
He wasn’t that exciting in college. Go watch his final year in the ncaa tournament. It wasn’t clear that he would be the unstoppable presence that he became. He stayed in college for 3 years for a reason. Go watch his game against Laettner.
@@danielocean3699 exactly. there was a reason Laettner got the 12 spot on the Dream Team.
9:40 he says Shaq
Chris Jackson (Abdul-Raouf) was the star of Shaq first couple seasons at LSU. He was incredible.
@@LaurentCourtines also Kapernick before Kapernick. Except he had better reasons.
Wembenyama with a sky hook would be unstoppable
Normally I don't buy into prospects, I want to see them in the league first. But man, Victor blows my damn mind. That size with those handles and that fluidity shouldn't be possible, and especially so young. If he can put on some muscle dude will be literally unstoppable barring injury.
You could argue that he’s this good because he’s so thin. His mobility at his size is unheard of and I feel like if he even gains 10 pounds his entire game will be thrown off
@@andrewnaranjo6514 nah, 10-15 pounds is what you want. The key is not putting it on too fast, that’s when it can ruin his skillset. By year 3, if he bulks up 10 lbs he’ll be fine
@@Geeandrezzi 💯 The perfect example is Giannis. He put on his muscles gradually over 5 years. He's still "slim" but in a sinewy kind of way.
“ normally I don’t buy into prospects“
A.k.a. someone who doesn’t watch fucking basketball enough to know a good prospect when they see one
@@skywalker2759 this comment is so unnecessary
Somehow Bill was still underestimating this kid.
To not name Shaq as a one of the top5-7 NBA center prospects is amateur hour. Shaq averaged 28, 15, 5 blocks, 1.5 spg on 63 FG% as a 19/20 year old sophomore at LSU and was awesome day 1 in NBA as well.
Zion over Durant Shaq Duncan AD as a prospect is insanity.
I think he’s talking about hype more than anything. Zion was definitely more hyped than AD and Durant. I’m not old enough to remember what people were saying about the other guys.
@@jacobwilkins8761 right.
People wasn't too exicet about shaq because he was ao physicall than they were not sure he ciuld bully people in NBA like he did in college
He literally says Shaq in 92' is one of the 6 best overall prospects he's ever seen at the halfway point. Did you even watch the video?
he literally said Shaq was 5th man🤦♂️ the fact that this many ppl liked this is sad
9:39
This is the best bill Simmons video I have ever watched
Thanks
Am I dreaming? Did he mention the best center draft prospects without mentioning Shaq!?!?
yes he did. simmons is off his game today.
28 and 14 with 5 blocks per game his sophomore year... he's easily above oden.
Spent too much time on the nick names.
Wtf?? I just had to make sure someone left this comment
he did mention Shaq
He looks like a create a player in NBA 2k where you max everything and he's somehow ridiculously athletic at 7'4"
“He’s 7’4. He looks like he’s taller than 7’4. He looks like he’s 7’5.”
A riveting analysis from the sports genius of Bill Simmons.
THIS GUY A BOZO
To be fair an inch at that height looks like way more on the court 😂
I love Bill but that line was absolutely hilarious donkey shit.
@@Eddie0102 stop it bro really... an INCH?
@@thaitran9640 lol I would agree with you if we were in the middle of a normal distribution curve, but these players are 99.999th percentile in height/length, and a guy like Wemby is far more impactful because of how he moves than an extra inch of height. Ask Tacko Fall.
I’m French, I follow Victor since he’s 14-15. He’ turned pro 3 years ago, he’s first seconds game we’re in Eurocup (little sister of the Euroligue) 3 clubs (franchise) this last 3 years. This dude is ready. He’s just has to be careful with his body and injuries.
He did stay at ASVEL (the club owned by Tony Parker) cause he wanted to be in the center of the project, just an anticipation on his future… next year… to handle pressure, become a leader etc…
You become a leader playing against the best. He chose not to
the Kareem comparison for his body type is probably the best example I've seen
Facts, Kareem with a Kevin Durant jumpshot 💯
Kareem was mobile for sure and the balance was on par with hakeem, but i think vic can move laterally a lot better and has a better stop to go speed, i think rookie kevin garnett’s body proportions with porzingis height
he kinda looks like Ralph Sampson
We might start having big guys that don't have the injury problems of the past. The difference is, if a big guy can gather himself, he can keep his ankles under his knees and his knees under his hips. So by not having different parts of you body moving in different directions, you're much less likely to get injured.
Wemby is the nickname I've heard.
The things I’d do to see a squad of Tyrese Haliburton, Chris Duarte, Bennedict Mathurin and Victor Wembanyama. It’s the perfect fit. I also think Charlotte would be really fun if we had Vic and Lamelo. But please basketball gods bless the Pacers for once
They have a chance. Looking at their roster, it could be a rough year.
Nah don’t wish that man Wembanyama Charlotte my G! Send him to a team that is actually relevant and he can flourish, no to a team where nobody in the world cares about 😂😂
@@BabylonGateLA Charlotte is a major city in America now lol. And they weren’t even that bad last year. They went 43-39. Victor on them would be a legit squad
I agree, but there's tbh only Wizards, Jazz, Spurs, Kings are teams that I wouldn't be particularly excited about him joining their current players.
Rockets, Magic, Thunder, Pacers, Knicks ,Pistons maybe Hornets with Lamelo would all be exciting destinations.
But obviously wherever he goes the future will look 100 times brighter and everyone will watch.
Yes sir! First ever NBA #1 pick for our Pacers!
Bill setting it up that he invented the nickname " Alien "....love it
His nickname should be "My Player" because we all have created a dude on 2k like him...
I like Wemby or just Vic. The other nicknames seem forced like when they tried to make everyone call Mahomes “showtime” for 3 weeks but it never stuck bc it felt totally forced
Victor whambamthankyoumam is nothing short of a miracle 😮
Please Lord don’t let this man fall to Utah
Why
@@r-trippin5078 because he will be there with no true 2, just like Luka in Dallas. Generational talent is so good they start competing for the playoffs asap and dont allow their teams to get other draft talent. I rather him go to a team like Pistons, Charlotte, Houston, or OKC where there is talent and ppl that can get him the ball.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
he will fall to the Piston
Please
Let’s go my guy first to call him an alien
Bill simmons greg oden take was spot on, he was one of the few that had kd 1
Wemby going to the Pistons, teaming up with Cade, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren 🤤🤤🤤 dude. I go nuts thinking about it. For Wemby's immediate and long term future, I think Detroit is his best landing spot. Those four guys win a chip within 5-6 years.
Lived in Detroit for nearly 40 years, it won't happen but if minor injuries give Det a chance at this dude I'll freak out... Cade, Ivey, Bey, Duren, and Wemby would be a top 3 in the league starting five. Sprinkle in a vet or two and then we'd really have something like we almost did after the 03 draft. I won't even say his name but if we draft ANYBODY else (Wade, Bosh, Melo) we not only win in 2004 but probably 3 maybe 4 more.
Lol 😂
Detroit might be good this year. Might be a play,in team.But if the top brass order the coach to tank to get him. I wont be mad at them tbh
Luka was an amazing prospect, being an Euroleague MVP is way better accomplishment than any acomplishment by any US prospect ever, it's not even close.
Luka was probably the second best euro prospect after Ricky Rubio, but not of the the nba best prospects though. Zion who came a year after luka came in with more hype .
Sure it is buddy...
Because Americans don’t give a shit about Euroligue, but trust me the Euroligue level is deep. Less athletic than NBA but players are better in terms of fondamental, coaches are tactical experts, refs know how to ref, and public pressure is different… could be crazy af.
Put some respect on European basketball !!!
Giannis, Jokic, Lucas, Gobert, they all win an individual trophy those last couple years.
Yeah I mean the way they rated bums playing NCAA hoops with zero defense over a guy that was dominating Euroligue games at 17 was crazy. But everyone in europe knew he was going to be a megastar.
@@StocktonMush several idiot gms in nba didnt lol
If he is some combination of Rudy Gobert (defensively) and Klay Thompson (offensively) he will be a perennial allstar and compete for championships on the right team. If he is a Rudy Gobert/Kevin Durant combo, there are no words to describe that yet.
Wenbemyama is like Kareem with a twist of KD. He’s a beast. I would tank for him
I can't wait to see him playing with team France 🇫🇷 we will have a strong team !
SHAQ was easily best prospect center in the last 30 years. He came to the leage that was built on big men, at the peak of that era and he generated sooo much hype. And totally delivered to that hype. Well at least for the first 7-8 years
Nope, not the best: the most hyped based on his size alone..sorry basketball skills
How can you only mention Shaq once?! We’ve never seen or will see anyone like Shaq ever again. He was an absolute beast.
I personally saw him play a few times in person and it just wasn’t fair.
Same as it’s going to be for VW (V Dub would be a good nickname
Get beat up for VDub.
Doesn't need a skyhook. No one is ever blocking this guy's fadeaway. No one.
Also, amongst the greatest center prospects, I'm surprised, Shaq, Tim, and David Robertson aren't on your list. They were all sure fire, and turned out that way.
He's 100% the best raw prospect ever! I mean come on,it's okay too say it. If he stays healthy this league will belong to Big Vik for a lot of years to come. He will dominate and will win multiple championships and break all kinds of records. This young man is the real deal! ✌️
Welcome to SAN ANTONIO!!
I was so pissed when the Spurs started the season 5-2 thinking they had taken themselves out of the sweepstakes. But thank god they did so they didn't end up in Detroit's spot drafting #5 haha.
UFO: Unguardable French Overlord
Honestly, like length and defense aside, it feels like Vic plays more like, the perfect version of the Dirk Style Power Forward. Really he could even play as a Combo Foward like Giannis and KD.
So we not go mention Shaq at all as one of the all time great centers 🤦🏾♂️
He did...
I want EVERYONE to go watch footage of Chris Jackson( Mahmoud Abdul Rauf ). He played one year, with both Shaq and Stanley Roberts. But, in his Rookie Year, CHRIS JACKSON WAS THE GREATEST COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAYER EVER( Breaking Pete Maravich Records, at LSU ).
Dude Kareem went 88-2 at UCLA. Talking about prospect. When college ball was more popular then the nba
College is still better
I'm all in on Wembanyama but we need to see more before we pronounce him the greatest prospect ever lol
I definitely need more time before I can pronounce Wembanyama
You’d think this was the Lids official podcast the way this man distributes cap
if shaq and wemby was in the same draft class, id still pick shaq..
size skill and built, shaq is a more sure thing to dominate...
wemby may hav a better skillsets, but shaq is a far greater sure 2 points inside..and shaq wudv bin a better reboundr.....and sheer intimidation
i may even pick shaq over mj and lbj on the same draft class
BILL is gonna be alllll over this. WEMBY to the CELTICS 😂
For those talking about Shaq 9:40
My dad, a lifetime Indiana Hoosiers fan who has nothing to say about non-Indiana guys, will pipe up every now and then about Ralph Sampson. The hype around Sampson was probably even more then than Wembanyama now. The thing he remembers most is announcers from high school on, "Ralph Sampson is 7'1" and still growing!" "Ralph Sampson is 7'2" and still growing!" "Ralph Sampson is 7'3" and still growing!" "Ralph Sampson is 7'4" and still growing!" The buzz around that guy was incredible as just having a guy with that size was already insane, let alone with a face up game that was better than his back to the basket game. Oh and he was a 3 time national player of the year for Virginia. All that being said, Wembanyama is still just a better prospect.
I already feel bad for whoever ends up with the third overall pick.
2018 Luka and Trae
Wemby has one thing that makes him the best defensive prospect ever. His length and coordination is so rare, he literally shuts down the paint and mid range. In order to beat his teams you're going to need incredible pull up three point shooting.
@@MasculinismTV he already a better player then Gobert there’s nothing Gobert can teach him😂
People are gonna drive into him and his body wont stand it
Wenbamyama grows an inch every day i swear
remember what happened to yao? tall guys - injury. shaq, bill, wilt, cap, very rare species
Top 15 episode for sure
Let’s see if he can stay healthy. At his size, history hasn’t been kind to players above 7’2.
There’s also his competition. Shaq brought up a very good point. VW hasn’t played anybody yet. Let’s see him play against solid NBA power forwards and centers.
I’d love to hear Jerry West’s opinion. Jerry will be able to assess a player after watching him play a NBA player.
He watched Kobe play against Michael Cooper and realized Kobe was going to be star.
For now, at this moment, October 10, 2022, I think Wemby will be good; he’s no where near Shaq, Hakeem, Bill, Wilt, or Kareem. I will believe it when I see it. In terms of potential, sky’s the limit, but I’m not a scout, I’m an avid fan of the game and will wait and see.
Leave shaq out of these conversations..he is most hyped, not best
Where does your opinion stand on 10/24/22?
Enjoyed ur video. I tell u what man he belongs in San Antoon 🇨🇱🤘🇨🇱
I predict he’ll be a super impactful defender from day 1, but the offense will take a few years to catch up. Not that the Spurs will complain with that.
Would love to see him land in Charlotte. Feel like he'll land in Houston.
Houston, Orlando, or SA. It feels like those are the only options. I hope I'm wrong though.
Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Wemby is a trio that has a floor of no joke, 5 championships.
Honestly, there isn’t a player I wouldn’t trade for the Frenchman…I’d even move a top duo or trio for him without hesitation.
Kareem only lost two games in all of college and won the title and MVP all three seasons that he played. Really hard to be more dominant than that.
He was older and played in a much lower quality NBA
Playing against part-time students, part time mail men, part time college Ball players.
@@Obiamajoyisrmd This is so silly and disrespectful. Kareem was still a great player well into the 80s when most people would agree was the NBA’s Golden Era. And amongst those part-time students or plumbers, he also had to go up against Wilt Chamberlain, Willis Reed, Bill Walton, Dave Cowens etc. you know, guys that somehow made the top 75 all-time player list.
@@Riles3152 send me your address so I can send you some toddler reading comprehension books.
Read my comment and the original one again. What are we talking about? College. Aka pre-NBA.
What’s this video about? Prospects. Aka pre-NBA.
Your reading comprehension is trash.
Not to mention he won state championships all four years in HS.
This kid will be a top 5 player the minute he steps on the court.. wow!
he won't be close to that but he will likely have a similar impact to Mobley defensively
@@michaelahurt give him 2 years top
His flexibility is the reason his body moves the way it does., graceful ly smooth.
Imagine if he guards against injury and cuts out all the point guard bullshit and focuses on his unlockable shooting, and straight up shot blocking. He would still be a great star
“He’s 7’4”, feels like he’s taller than 7’4”, he’s 7’5””. Yes , cause that inch difference is obviously visible and noticeable from a distance, and especially at that height 🙄.
Golden state is not having a meeting with nobody, the just won the chip
He's still the number 1 pick easy but I can't help but shake his long term injury risk. It's like how I felt about Zion coming into the league but for an opposite reason. Zion generated so much force that while his muscle could handle his weight, his ligaments & tendons are a different story. Victor's height & speed will put serious force on his connective tissue. He might be TOO athletic for his body frame to actually sustain.
Bill explaining how teams need to tank 💀
Like it matters, lol. Teams don't need encouragement
I think the predator nickname is reserved for DeShaun Watson
Ha! ... also too soon...
I listen to the pods on Spotify but here's a like purely for the tanking strats 😇
Shaq is the best center prospect since Wilt and Kareem period
Shaq is the greatest hyped center prospect, not best
Not a Spurs fan but if Pop coaches this kid, skys the limit...Vdub
I believe Ralph was the biggest prospect since Kareem. Granted I hated him as a UNC fan but he was better (3x College Player of the Year) than any of those you mentioned. I think Victor is very similar to Ralph but with a better outside game.
Stop comparing him to Ralph Sampson when this man can dribble and he’s a teenager Ralph Sampson couldn’t dribble to save his life
@@skywalker2759 I don’t know how you’re so thoroughly missing the point. Bill was talking about how much these guys were hyped and how great they seemed in their time. No kidding Victor looks better. He looks better than Lebron as a prospect if we’re going just off play. That wasn’t the point though and your weirdness against Sampson shows you really didn’t understand this video. Sampson is a HOF’er for what he did AS A PROSPECT so I think it’s more than appropriate he was brought up here.
@@skywalker2759 Ralph Sampson often went coast to coast. At the time he was probably the best ball handling bigs.
Victor just has it. He clearly works hard at his craft and wants to be great. Injury is the only thing that could hold him back, but he doesn’t seem to have a history of it from what I understand
He already had a concerning foot injury which is very much a big man injury. I'll be shocked if injury doesn't play a huge part in his career - he's just too tall and especially trying to move like he does, it's gonna be bad news for his body
It's super existing that draft lottery is going to be must watch
It's Really Cool that next season Giannis, Luka, Jokic, Embiid and Wembenyama are all foreign born players and 5 of the VERY Best players in the NBA. Remember when Dirk and Nash won MVPs and it was shocking that the MVP wasn't an American player. Basketball is in a fun place right now.
Listen to Bill about the skyhook. If Victor adds that shot, he'll be able to score an any play with virtural ease.
I feel like everyone is getting all hyped for this dude for him to inevitably play 8 injury plagued years and were all left with a what if
Give him the sky hook 😳
Am I missing something? He mentioned Shaq why is everyone saying he didn’t lol
Imagine a future where the entire NBA is 7'5" guards.
there’s not even enough 7’5 humans on the planet to have a full league w full teams of 7’5 players
@@United010 Victor Wembanyama and the WNBA will be conducting a eugenics program. Stay woke.
Victor should be called Dr Doom
Kareem wasn’t 7,4 he was 7’2 and weeny is 7’5 in court. That’s a huge difference. His sky hook would be even godlier if he works on it
Kareem was possibly 7 ft 5..easily
Only thing though is that he’s been a pro- Been developing with pro coaches 24/7 since 15 years old, accelerates development. But in terms of freak of nature- tops the list
But he’s also not a center so who gives a shit about a Jump hook ?
How is shaq not on this list?
He was mid in college
Big Vic a great nickname
7:58 Kareem's said he wasn't even a full 7'2".
Barefoot or in shoes? He's not 7'4" cause he's shorter than Mark Eaton and Ralph Sampson but you can look at pictures of all these guys standing next to each other. Bill has mentioned photos of all them at the NBA 50 year anniversary. Supposedly Walton was 7'2" and Kareem towers over him, which I think is where Bill is getting 7'4". Kareem was probably 7'3" though
The Sean Bradley hype train was real ... through a Mormon mission all the way to Space Jam ... every conversation was "never seen" and "change the game"
Can’t hit the FFW button quick enough until after Eddie Loves Michael Wayne Hutchison song
His nick name is gonna be Victor "Wam-Bam" (thank you man) Yama.
Wembat. Nailed it.
If you wanna go traditional 1/2, Robertson and West in 1960
call him french revolution
Nickname? I got it:
>>> V-10
Thank you for mentioning Ralph Sampson. Who was 7'4" coming outta UVA. #1 overall pick. During college, Sampson won three Naismith Awards. His prime was robbed due to injuries. He made one NBA Finals with Hakeem and lost to BS guy, Larry Joe Bird 🏀
How is he a better prospect than LeBron?
Clearly a bigger injury risk + LeBron (big as he is) was like the 3rd fastest guy in the NBA when he entered
The professional from that french dude
Throughout NBA history, there have probably been only a handful of #1 pics that it was almost if not absolutely a foregone conclusion that they were going to be a superstar, and to literally no one’s surprise that’s exactly what they became:
Kareem, Shaq, Duncan, LeBron and if you Would like to consider him a superstar (Which for a number of reasons I don’t) Anthony Davis (Ewing and Robinson as well). IF this kid stays healthy, he will be the next.
Zion too and wen he hasn’t been injured he was an allstar right away
Idk why ppl act like tanking works anymore the highest odds you could possibly have for the #1 pick no matter how bad you are is 14%
You wouldn't trade your 40-42 season for a 1/7 shot at this guy? + A 1/7 shot at Scoot when you miss?