Tanking is coming.
I hope you read that in the same way Eddard Stark says, “Winter is coming” in Game of Thrones. Sorry, House of the Dragon has me in a big GOT mood, but I swear I’m here to talk about basketball. You might also find that a bit weird as baseball is headed towards the playoffs and football is in full gear, but my mind is on basketball.
The NBA preseason has recently started, and the Association’s stars have already started to put on shows.
I don’t want to talk about Ja Morant, surprisingly. I want to talk about two guys that are going to have NBA teams trying to lose during the 2022-23 season: Scoot Henderson and Victor Wembanyama. The teenagers squared off last night in an exhibition between Henderson’s G-League Ignite squad and Wembanyama’s Metropolitans 92 team, a pro team from France, in Las Vegas. Everyone knows that famous saying, “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”, the highlights from this matchup have not stayed in Vegas and have excited basketball fans everywhere.
It was known before the matchup that Henderson and Wembanyama were the two best prospects in the 2023 NBA Draft Class, but WOW, they put on a show.
I am far from an NBA scout; I was fully convinced that Andrew Wiggins would be the next Michael Jordan back in 2014.
While Wiggins didn’t turn into the next MJ, it seems as if Wembanyama and Henderson seem to be can’t-miss, generational prospects.
Winless for Wemby
Victor Wembanyama is a 7-foot-5 center from France who is projected to go no. 1 overall in next year’s NBA Draft. Wembanyama has dominated international basketball headlines as well as headlines in the US as he seems to be a once-in-a-lifetime type prospect. The viral clips of the teenager are unlike anything we’ve seen.
The 18-year-old Frenchman is already an accomplished pro as he has three years of pro experience under his belt. He has led the French U18 and U16 teams to silver medals in FIBA U19 World Cup and FIBA U16 European Championship.
In the exhibition in Las Vegas last night, Wembanyama scored 37 points, blocked 5 shots, and made 7 three-pointers.
Wembanyama was already the number one prospect; last night only solidified that. Have we ever seen a 7-foot-5 prospect with an 8-foot wingspan who can shoot like Ray Allen and drive as he does? The things Wemby can do are amazing, and I have truly never seen anyone like him.
NBA teams will no doubt be fighting for lottery odds just for the chance to add Wemby to their roster. Could you imagine Wemby joining a team like Oklahoma City?
Skirting for Scoot
Scoot Henderson is a former consensus 5-star recruit who chose to bypass college and play for G-League Ignite, an NBA G-League team. Henderson has been considered the number two man in the 2023 NBA Draft Class, and last night he showed why in Vegas. He played 11 games for the Ignite last season, but his game still needed polishing. It appears the polishing occurred during the offseason.
Henderson led his Ignite squad to victory in winning fashion; he scored 28 points, grabbed five rebounds, and dished out nine assists. An incredible game from the young Henderson, who consistently drove into the paint and finished consistently against the towering Wembanyama.
If Scoot was a part of literally any other draft class, he would be the number one prospect and showed that against Wembanayama.
Final Thoughts
I hate tanking and have said that several times on the Dylan and Dylan Show. I think every team should try to compete and win games, but this year if a team is at a point in which they know they will not make the playoffs, I think I would understand going to a tanking method.
We’ve never seen anything like Wemby, and Scoot seems to be just as much of a can’t-miss prospect as him. If you missed their matchup, I highly recommend seeking out the highlights on Youtube. You know what, here’s the link, take a few minutes to watch two future NBA superstars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi8sPCqQXQA
You won’t be disappointed. Just like whatever NBA team has a bad 2022-23 season because, as we know at this point, tanking is coming.
