When individuals discuss how good a specific participant could be if he have been a unique peak, they usually make the participant taller. “Are you able to think about if Participant X was 6’7” as a substitute of 6’1?” And I’m certain everybody has been advised, “I might have performed basketball however I wasn’t tall sufficient,” — one thing that’s not often true. Certainly, probably the greatest gamers in my Sunday morning recreation, which has a bunch of proficient huge guys, is 5’7” however just about unstoppable, even by these proficient huge guys.
For this submit, I’m going in a unique course. How good would Victor Wembanyama be if he was 6’7” as a substitute of seven’4”? Victor is likely one of the few huge guys about who we will legitimately ask this query. Most huge guys are good as a result of they’re tall. Victor is nice as a result of he’s good. He’s nice as a result of he’s good AND tall, which is why I at all times describe him with phrases like agile, sensible, fast, cellular, pushed and well-rounded.
Conventional bigs like Shaq, Yao Ming and even the Nice Tim Duncan didn’t have sufficient of a well-rounded recreation to have been NBA gamers at 6’7”. Shaq and TD didn’t shoot properly sufficient, and Yao, although a superb shooter, was not practically expert or cellular sufficient. Even somebody as cellular as Kareem would have points — his signature sky hook wouldn’t be practically as efficient if not truly launched from the sky. Present proficient huge guys like Joel Embiid, Karl Anthony Cities and Rudy Gobert would have their very own points — Embiid wouldn’t be capable to defend a permitter participant, Cities could be too sluggish, and Gobert doesn’t have any offensive expertise. Nikola Jokic at 6’7”? Hmm. I’ll let the Nuggets writers deal with that one.
For Victor, I’ve my very own ideas, however I made a decision to depend on the knowledge of the plenty. On this case, the “plenty” are buddies whose basketball opinions I respect. A number of are ex-college gamers (together with guys I coached or play with now) and others simply have a advantageous eye for the sport. I requested each the next query:
In case you are getting this, I respect your opinion about basketball associated issues (and maybe much less necessary issues too).
Query of the day – Would Victor Wembanyama nonetheless be an NBA stage expertise if he was 6’7” as a substitute of seven’4’’? You may outline “NBA stage expertise” as you want.
(Authorized disclaimer: By responding, you would possibly simply be quoted in Pounding the Rock.)
Listed here are the responses I acquired. You will notice that the majority, however not all, determined that the reply is sure. Only for enjoyable, we could have a ballot on the finish. (Nate Silver wouldn’t be happy with this ballot that solely asks Spurs followers as a substitute of a “random pattern”, however 1. Nate is busy with different stuff, 2. that is my ballot, and three. I occur to love Spurs followers.)
I’ll begin with the damaging responses from my crew. Dangle in there, they get extra optimistic.
Trevor
Reply is not any.
The highest 6’7 NBA gamers both play elite perimeter protection (OG Anunoby, Herb Jones, Scottie Barnes), are exceptionally proficient/expert offensively (Luka, LaMelo, Middleton) or are each (Butler and Kawhi). The remaining are interchangeable position gamers for essentially the most half.
Extra importantly, Victor’s Fadeaway and Soar shot percentages are abysmal—in the event you take away his peak, I might count on these percentages drop even additional placing extra stress on him to make the three. Alley Oop and dunk proportion would additionally drop.
Stopper
So, he had the identical vertical, the identical lateral motion, the identical athleticism, the identical leap shot, a wing span acceptable for a 6-7 participant? NO – his size and wing span are what make him particular.
Henry
He must be 6’9” to be Jaden McDaniels.
Steve C
If he have been 6’7”, which remains to be taller than common however extra widespread within the NBA, some elements of his recreation would undoubtedly be affected.
Ability set: if he retained his expertise of capturing, dribbling and hoop IQ he will surely be capable to play… one be aware, he would have to have the ability to shoot of the dribble significantly better.
Athleticism: does it worsen, no manner. I feel he will get stronger and a bit thicker within the smaller body.
Adaptability: he now must play and guard taller gamers… I’m certain he might guard, 6”3 – 6-10… however with the thicker, taller gamers, like now, he wants extra muscle weight on him
Growth: his work ethic is unparalleled for a person his measurement, his age and lack of weight.
So, right here’s my one sentence take…
He’s a as soon as in a lifetime expertise at his measurement now. Unsure he could be as extremely considered, however I do know he would shortly adapt due to his intense work ethic and full ardour for being one of the best. He could be a starter within the NBA and hopefully nonetheless on the Spurs!
Captain Kirk
Hello Lee! My reply is sure, nonetheless an NBA stage expertise, however a far much less impactful one, not less than early in his profession. I feel his mentality would enable him to repeatedly enhance his skillset and make significant contributions.
Corey
It’s an fascinating query. In formulating my response, although, I additionally concluded that it’s an unfair query. By unfair, I imply unfair to Wemby. If he weren’t eighteen ft tall, he would have been honing different expertise extra acceptable to his diminished peak, on this case 6’7”. MJ was supposedly 6’6”. I don’t assume Wemby has anyplace near the abilities MJ had on offense or, particularly, on protection. However that’s the place the unfair a part of the query is available in. If Wemby have been 6’7” he would have been utilizing his abilities to develop the mandatory defensive expertise for that peak. That mentioned, I nonetheless don’t assume he’s near MJ on both aspect of the ball. However your query isn’t would he be MJ however would he be an NBA stage expertise. I solely provide the MJ evaluation as type of the higher restrict. As to being an NBA stage expertise, I don’t assume there’s any query he could be, he simply wouldn’t be the franchise participant he’s at 7’4”.
Ryan
You requested me if Victor Wembanyama could be within the NBA if he was solely 6’ 7’, and my reply is YES, in fact, he would.
He has a excessive basketball IQ, he’s obtained PG expertise and an important leap shot. Plus, Euro gamers are identified for his or her nice basketball fundamentals, so I don’t see how he could be any totally different.
That’s my reply and I’m sticking to it.
Marc C
If he’s nonetheless the identical stage as an athlete at 6’ 7” then sure, he’s within the NBA.
Tony
NBA stage expertise is somebody who might stick to a group, whether or not drafted or not, and keep on a roster for greater than a yr.
With that definition, Wemby at 6’7’’ would completely qualify.
To start with, he possesses expertise that might translate: foot pace, a shooter’s eye, and a basketball thoughts. And the primary two could be exponentially enhanced at 6’7”. A prototype 3 and D wing.
And, even together with his 7’4” bodily items, he clearly has a piece ethic that allowed these items to flourish; he didn’t simply fall away from bed and develop into the participant he’s.
That work ethic would have carried him to the NBA.”
Tony is a man I performed faculty basketball with, and he stays a superb good friend. After I obtained his reply, I advised him that his reply — all of it — was precisely how I might have responded. I might need added one factor — Victor remains to be solely 20 and can solely get higher. Nobody has ever peaked at 20.
How do you reply? Additionally be at liberty so as to add some evaluation within the feedback part.
