San Antonio Spurs win ‘Victor Wembanyama’ NBA lottery pick
He’s a generational talent who is expected to inject over a billion dollars worth of value to the team which recruits him – and today that team was revealed.
Victor Wembanyama – the most exciting draft prospect since LeBron James – appears San Antonio Spurs bound and he has his sights set on “winning a ring asap”.
Wembanyama – the 7-foot-4 French sensation who is projected to be the best draft player in NBA history – looks set to join the Spurs after the Texas-based club were selected as the No.1 pick in Wednesday’s draft lottery in Chicago.
The 19-year-old “generational talent” is expected to immediately inject upwards of $US750 million into San Antonio as a franchise changing talent before he even plants his feet on the floor.
Wembanyama is the Spurs’ first No.1 draft pick since the legendary Tim Duncan in 1997.
San Antonio also has a proud French history, led by all-time great guard Tony Parker.
Wembanyama is ready to join the world’s best basketball league – and he is aiming high.
“I’m trying to win a ring asap, so be ready,” said Wembanyama – the most hyped draft prospect since Cleveland selected James at No.1 in 2003.
Asked what Spurs fans can expect to see, he replied: “A team player. I’m going to do everything I can to win as many games as I can.
“I’m going to try and bring my mentality and I really can’t wait to meet the fans and hopefully the team that I’m about to join.
“My heart is beating, and I’ve got everyone I love and know around me.
“This is a really special moment that I’m going to remember for the rest of my life.”
Wembanyama is a power forward/centre on paper, but he possesses the handle and silky shooting stroke of a guard.
He is taller than the Greek Freak Giannis Antetokounmpo while he can shoot on one leg like Phoenix superstar Kevin Durant.
"I'm trying to win a ring ASAP, so be ready."
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 17, 2023
- Victor Wembanyama. 🗣ï¸
pic.twitter.com/Xo71Aw4pGi
Spurs owner Peter Holt was overcome with joy when his franchise secured the No.1 draft pick, linking them with Wembanyama.
“I might faint,” Holt said.
“I’m so excited. The city of San Antonio and the fans – we just have so many people who love the Spurs.
“So, we’re pumped.”
Wembanyama dropped a near double-double for his French club, Metropolitans 92, in Paris just hours before the NBA draft lottery.
He finished with 18 points and nine rebounds in Metropolitans’ 93-85 win over a Paris side featuring Melbourne United sharpshooter Chris Goulding.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver believes Wembanyama will excel in the NBA.
“I don’t want to put any more pressure on him, but he clearly appears to be a generational talent,” Silver said.
“We’ve seen lots of other examples of generational talent in this league, who have met expectations and some who haven’t.”
Based on the hype and eye test, Wembanyama is destined for greatness.
"This is the most highly-anticipated player to ever enter the NBA. ... Maybe the greatest prospect in the history of team sports."
— ESPN (@espn) May 16, 2023
—@wojespn on Victor Wembanyama 😳 (via NBA Today) pic.twitter.com/LNuOG2RdHR
THE FOUR SUPERSTARS THAT WILL DECIDE THE NBA CHAMPIONSHIP
The King, the Joker, Jimmy Buckets and terrific Tatum.
The NBA’s final four is set, with LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Jimmy Butler and Jayson Tatum the superstars at the forefront.
All the Conference Finals action tips off on Wednesday in the West from 10.30am (AEST) when Jokic’s Nuggets host LeBron’s Lakers in Game 1.
Denver deserve favouritism after finishing the regular season in first place, but Los Angeles can’t be underestimated.
The Lakers have defied the odds to reach the Conference Finals after finishing the regular season in eighth position.
THE #NBAConferenceFinals presented by @GooglePixel_US ARE SET!
— NBA (@NBA) May 15, 2023
Nuggets vs. Lakers.
Celtics vs. Heat.
Who ya got?? pic.twitter.com/kyufbIxW8u
Los Angeles also needed an overtime play-in tournament victory to qualify for the playoffs, but it hasn’t stopped them from starring in the postseason on the back of James and marquee big man Anthony Davis.
For all the Lakers’ success, Denver has dominated in its own right.
Nuggets centre and two-time league MVP Jokic is balling as arguably the NBA’s best player while the men from the Mile High city possess a potent support crew.
In the East, the Boston Celtics will go in as strong favourites against the Miami Heat.
The Celtics cruised into the Conference Finals after a blowout Game 7 victory over Philadelphia on the back of a league record 51 points from Tatum.
Boston appear in the box seat to progress to the NBA Finals for a second straight season, but Miami won’t be easy to beat.
Like the Lakers, the Heat have reached the Conference Finals from the play-in tournament and are playing with enormous belief.
Butler – who is averaging 31.1 points this postseason – will ensure Miami pushes Boston in this series.
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL:
Denver Nuggets (1) vs Los Angeles Lakers (7)
Regular season record: Nuggets 53-29, Lakers 43-35
Head-to-head record this season: 2-2
Jan 10: Nuggets 122-109
Dec 17: Lakers 126-108
Oct 31: Lakers 121-110
Oct 27: Nuggets 110-99
Betting odds for the series: Nuggets $1.65, Lakers $2.25
STAR PLAYERS:
Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)
Regarded by many as the NBA’s premier player – and it’s easy to see why based on the stats and the simple eye test.
Jokic is averaging a near triple double this postseason, with 30.7 points, 12.8 rebounds and 9.7 assists.
Beyond the stat sheet, though, it’s the Serbian’s smarts, toughness and determination that separates him from the rest.
The Lakers possess the defence to limit Jokic’s brilliance, but it will require a major effort to stop him completely.
LeBron James (Lakers)
We’ve selected James based on his ‘King’ status.
He may be 38 and in his 20th NBA season, but the legendary forward is still balling with the best in the business.
James is averaging 22.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 5.0 assists this postseason, but it’s his proven big-game experience that’s really making a difference for the Lakers.
Lakers big man Anthony Davis also deserves a special mention.
Davis has been dominant this postseason, averaging 21.2 points, 14.1 rebounds and 3.3 blocks.
X-FACTORS:
Bruce Brown (Nuggets)
Brown is the perfect bench weapon for Denver. The 26-year-old guard has the ability to excel offensively to give his side the edge.
This was on show in Game 5 of the Western Conference semi-finals against Phoenix when he piled on 25 points in just 26 minutes in a big win.
Lonnie Walker (Lakers)
In a team full of star players, Walker has stepped up from the bench to become a key player for the Lakers.
He has impressed throughout the postseason, but delivered big time in a crucial Game 4 win over the defending champion Golden State Warriors.
The Lonnie Walker IV Game. pic.twitter.com/1J9ub7VP3r
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 10, 2023
Walker exploded in the fourth quarter with 15 points to help the Lakers take a commending 3-1 series lead over the Warriors.
PREDICTION:
Denver has the NBA’s best player in Jokic and home court advantage, but something tells me that Lakers star duo LeBron and AD will ensure this series goes the distance. Nuggets in 6 or 7 games.
EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL:
Boston Celtics (2) vs Miami Heat (8)
Regular season record: Celtics 57-25, Heat 44-38
Head-to-head record this season: 2-1 (Celtics)
Dec 2: Heat 120-116 (OT)
Nov 30: Celtics 134-121
Oct 21: Celtics 111-104
Betting odds for series: Celtics $1.20, Heat $4.75
STAR PLAYERS:
Jayson Tatum (Celtics)
Tatum recently declared he is “humbly” one of the best players in the world and he has backed up the talk for Boston.
He overcame one of his worst shooting performances to help the Celtics beat the Sixers in Game 6 when they trailed the series 3-2.
Tatum had 16 points in the fourth quarter to force a Game 7 before he returned home and dropped a record 51 points to send the Sixers packing.
If Boston’s best player is locked in – the Celtics will be extremely hard to beat.
Jimmy Butler (Heat)
There is something special about Butler in the postseason.
The Heat ace becomes a beast who believes he can beat any player and any team standing in his way.
Butler has once again proved his potency this postseason to guide Miami to the Conference Finals from the play-in tournament.
The Heat’s remarkable run has included beating a No. 1 seed Milwaukee Bucks side featuring the ‘Greek Freak’, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
X-FACTORS:
Malcolm Brogden (Celtics)
One of the best off-season buys has delivered on the hype to win the NBA’s Six Man of the Year.
Brogden is averaging 14.8 points, including 43 per cent from three, this postseason and he could be the piece that gives the Celtics the edge.
Solid defense, and Malcolm Brogdon takes it to the bucket 💪 pic.twitter.com/JPQ4dgCHHC
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) May 10, 2023
Duncan Robinson (Heat)
When Robinson is on, watch out.
He is only averaging eight points this postseason, but he has the ability to explode from range.
This was on display in Miami’s Game 5 semi-final loss to New York when he dropped 17 points off the bench.
Prediction:
Miami will make life difficult for Boston via Butler and their zone defence, but the Celtics should win the series if they play to their potential.
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