Are casuals interested in him? Or is the hype just the novelty of a big man with guard like skills that will wear off?
I honestly don’t see this persisting — if it even exists outside of core NBA fans. The phenomenon of Steph Curry is the opposite of Wembanyama, he’s a ‘normal’ looking guy that is slaying the Goliaths. Curry weaving through big men and shooting over taller guards can draw interest from normies throughout his entire career.
But you do raise the issue of lack of next Gen stars the NBA has to sell to media distributors. The Euros haven’t really been embraced by the Americans and American players seem unlikeable/entitled. Gone are the hopes of Zion and Ja Morant being the faces of the league. It reeked of league desperation last year when they tried to make Jordan Poole a star. Silver has a big problem with this cast.
Wemby is such a physical anomaly with an entertaining game and an outgoing personality. People will watch him, because he is a truly unique attraction. Reminds me of when Shaq hit the league in 92-93. Biggest problem I’ve seen so far with the NBA roll out is they’re trying their hardest to use his National TV slate to elevate other Gen Z stars. He has ESPN/ABC/TNT games scheduled against Sacramento, Atlanta, and Charlotte, while having no National TV games against the best bigs in the league. No Zion, No Jokic, No Giannis. He does have one v. Joel on NBA TV, but that shouldn’t count. He plays the Lakers on national TV, so we should see him against AD. My personal opinion is he should be matched up heavily on national TV against the teams I listed because what he does v. those bigs could make National and Global news, as those guys are seen as unstoppable. If a 19 year old makes them look silly, it’s going to turn a lot of heads. Talked more about this on my twitter/X https://x.com/jonesonthenba/status/1720339943418138746?s=46&t=LT-MND9AyeoNpEnSUv3wMQ
So, I was thinking of Shaq when reading the article too, but had a different perspective. As a kid, Shaq was cool and a spectacle — I remember the Shaq Attack toys and a ball with his hands print. But by the time I was in Jr high and it was Shaq and Kobe, my friends thought Shaq was just big. Vince and Kobe were carrying all of the interest. I can see Wemby following that path, people become dull to his dominance just because he’s the physical anomaly since he’s not on “an even playing field”.
I hear what you're saying. But Shaq other than Jordan is arguably the most recognizable NBA player ever. He's been in a bunch of movies, video games, sold enough records to go platinum, is still in a ton of commercials, and is still on tv. The NBA would love for Wemby to end up as popular and well known as Shaq is.
Not yet, but they will be. He'll be a name everyone knows in 5 years time (serious, career-derailing injury aside). He has the mix of freak appeal and approachable humanity that people will love when they discover him.
I’m sorry, I know that physical care has improved, Durant has been pretty lucky, but I still worry about guys with this body type staying on the court. Hoping for the best, he’s a lot of fun.
Me too. In the old days a Larry Smith (Mr. Mean), or Anthony Mason, or a Dave Cowens would hand someone like Wembanyama a "welcome to the NBA" moment. Now, things like that happen only by accident, which makes is worse, as everyone is caught off guard.
I'll tell ya something - tonight the rest of the NBA is looking into a dark mirror.
Wemby is light years far ahead of what anyone expected offensively, but more than that, MENTALLY. And he's still 19. It took him 5 games in the NBA to get to the point where he dropped 38 on a good team, and outplayed Kevin Durant in the 4th quarter of a close game. He sank pressure free throws. He calmly got to his spot and nailed a one dribble pullup 3 going left. What will he be in 40 games? In 80 games? In 3 seasons? The NBA is quietly shitting itself tonight.
The poise and complete invincibility to pressure is the thing I'm most surprised and impressed by. Most rooks do the opposite, play well Q1-3 then shrink a bit in Q4. Check out games 1, 2, and 4 of the season to see how he went from a lost kid early in the game to an assassin in the 4th. He seems like he only focused when the game was on the line. Then in game 5 he put together a complete game.
He's 15-19 in the 4th so far btw. But it's not just that - he passes better, rim runs more, rebounds harder and defends more cleverly. He eats pressure for breakfast, it is his lifeblood. Great signs for a dominant career. Only injury will slow him down.
One other thing - he is a very thoughtful kid, very intelligent, and seems to have a broader perspective than just basketball. And he is charismatic. I see him as a global icon by the age of 25. I think his reach will extend far beyond basketball.
PS Here's an email I sent to the Basketball Illuminati crew after that Wemby-JJ interview that pertains to his character and global appeal:
"Hey there Illuminators!
I've been meaning to write to you guys since episode 1 but you've covered everything so well I didn't feel I could add much. Then along comes Wemby on JJ's pod and I finally have a topic that I can shed some real light on, add some true insight. So, here's some illumination re: Wemby
NBA media and fans have all been referencing Wemby's incredibly mature JJ interview - and rightly so, the kid is 19 going on 29 - and many have picked up on the Universe stuff. But I'm yet to see anyone who has truly grasped what he was actually talking about. The key is where he comes from and what he said about freedom. Here's the whole quote from just after 30:30 on the YT:
"My totem, it is bigger than basketball y'know. It's accomplishing yourself inside this Universe. When I am [struggling] I always remember that I am free in that Universe, I do what I can, and nothing is going to stop me from doing it, I've always got that in mind. And it doesn't just stop at basketball, it's about life." JJ - "fuck, mannnnn… he’s reached enlightenment." Tommy - "well said!"
Here, Victor is actually referencing Existentialism, a philosophical movement championed in the mid 20th century by Jean Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauviour and Albert Camus among others. It goes back a fair bit further than them, but that is not relevant to us.
Now, the French take philosophy very seriously, it is integral to French culture. Since Wemby is French, he would have been formally and informally schooled in French philosophy by those around him, and Existentialism is a crucial part of that education.
Central to Existentialism is the idea of immutable freedom. In his seminal tome "Being and Nothingness", Sartre writes a lot on the nature of freedom, including the example of someone locked in a jail (Sartre was a POW in 1940-41) still being free because they are free inside their mind, and that can never be taken away. The philosophy goes a lot deeper and more abstruse, but suffice it to say that Wemby's comment about freedom is absolutely a reference to the Existentialist conception of freedom. And that dovetails into his references to "the Universe" because Existentialism is based in atheism, so references to God are antithetical.
To my mind Wemby clearly understands Existentialism. He has adopted one of its central ideas: that freedom comes with a responsibility to fully commit to whatever you believe gives meaning to your life. And he is saying that he will keep that central in his mind as he moves through basketball and the Universe. That is highly Existentialist.
I hope this sheds some light on some of Victor's more esoteric pronouncements. I know this stuff because I studied Existentialism at University. I waded through the same philosophical sludge as Wemby, and came out the other end thinking much the same way - only I can choose what gives my life meaning, so I may as well commit to it fully.
Wemby seems like a great talent and an even better person.
That said, he has no charisma from the perspective of American zoomers. Zero teenage boys will be learning/imitating his moves or spending their parents’ last dollars on his shoes.
If I were Adam Silver, I’d be looking for a David to be his rival.
Chet is the obvious choice in this regard. The Thunder and Spurs will play each other 3/4 times a year and both players play the same position. Holmgren is also another slightly freakish player who there are not really any comparisons for
He could, he is absolutely someone with a broader view of life as I note above. But he is so passionate about basketball - he has explained that his entire life has been devoted to getting to the NBA since a young age - that I think he follows through on it to the end (serious injury could derail this, as it did for Walton), while simultaneously doing whatever else he wants to achieve in the world. Has has the maturity to realise he's only young once.
Ethan- Can you explain how Zion was allowed to miss last night’s game for “rest?” He was an All Star last season and I thought the rules prohibited this for this category of players. Not to mention the fact that he’s only played in four games so far this season.
Reminds me of a more extroverted, media friendly Tim Duncan (who really had to be seen to be believed. Even towards the end of his career he was an athletic freak). Duncan is insanely smart and quick, he’s just a lot quieter.
Are casuals interested in him? Or is the hype just the novelty of a big man with guard like skills that will wear off?
I honestly don’t see this persisting — if it even exists outside of core NBA fans. The phenomenon of Steph Curry is the opposite of Wembanyama, he’s a ‘normal’ looking guy that is slaying the Goliaths. Curry weaving through big men and shooting over taller guards can draw interest from normies throughout his entire career.
But you do raise the issue of lack of next Gen stars the NBA has to sell to media distributors. The Euros haven’t really been embraced by the Americans and American players seem unlikeable/entitled. Gone are the hopes of Zion and Ja Morant being the faces of the league. It reeked of league desperation last year when they tried to make Jordan Poole a star. Silver has a big problem with this cast.
Wemby is such a physical anomaly with an entertaining game and an outgoing personality. People will watch him, because he is a truly unique attraction. Reminds me of when Shaq hit the league in 92-93. Biggest problem I’ve seen so far with the NBA roll out is they’re trying their hardest to use his National TV slate to elevate other Gen Z stars. He has ESPN/ABC/TNT games scheduled against Sacramento, Atlanta, and Charlotte, while having no National TV games against the best bigs in the league. No Zion, No Jokic, No Giannis. He does have one v. Joel on NBA TV, but that shouldn’t count. He plays the Lakers on national TV, so we should see him against AD. My personal opinion is he should be matched up heavily on national TV against the teams I listed because what he does v. those bigs could make National and Global news, as those guys are seen as unstoppable. If a 19 year old makes them look silly, it’s going to turn a lot of heads. Talked more about this on my twitter/X https://x.com/jonesonthenba/status/1720339943418138746?s=46&t=LT-MND9AyeoNpEnSUv3wMQ
So, I was thinking of Shaq when reading the article too, but had a different perspective. As a kid, Shaq was cool and a spectacle — I remember the Shaq Attack toys and a ball with his hands print. But by the time I was in Jr high and it was Shaq and Kobe, my friends thought Shaq was just big. Vince and Kobe were carrying all of the interest. I can see Wemby following that path, people become dull to his dominance just because he’s the physical anomaly since he’s not on “an even playing field”.
I hear what you're saying. But Shaq other than Jordan is arguably the most recognizable NBA player ever. He's been in a bunch of movies, video games, sold enough records to go platinum, is still in a ton of commercials, and is still on tv. The NBA would love for Wemby to end up as popular and well known as Shaq is.
Not yet, but they will be. He'll be a name everyone knows in 5 years time (serious, career-derailing injury aside). He has the mix of freak appeal and approachable humanity that people will love when they discover him.
Was it the league or the Warriors that tried?
The league had him featured in the NBA App campaign and that played all season long.
Oh that’s right.
I’m sorry, I know that physical care has improved, Durant has been pretty lucky, but I still worry about guys with this body type staying on the court. Hoping for the best, he’s a lot of fun.
Me too. In the old days a Larry Smith (Mr. Mean), or Anthony Mason, or a Dave Cowens would hand someone like Wembanyama a "welcome to the NBA" moment. Now, things like that happen only by accident, which makes is worse, as everyone is caught off guard.
Yeah I have thought since day 1 people are underselling the increased injury risk from being a physical freak.
I'll tell ya something - tonight the rest of the NBA is looking into a dark mirror.
Wemby is light years far ahead of what anyone expected offensively, but more than that, MENTALLY. And he's still 19. It took him 5 games in the NBA to get to the point where he dropped 38 on a good team, and outplayed Kevin Durant in the 4th quarter of a close game. He sank pressure free throws. He calmly got to his spot and nailed a one dribble pullup 3 going left. What will he be in 40 games? In 80 games? In 3 seasons? The NBA is quietly shitting itself tonight.
The poise and complete invincibility to pressure is the thing I'm most surprised and impressed by. Most rooks do the opposite, play well Q1-3 then shrink a bit in Q4. Check out games 1, 2, and 4 of the season to see how he went from a lost kid early in the game to an assassin in the 4th. He seems like he only focused when the game was on the line. Then in game 5 he put together a complete game.
He's 15-19 in the 4th so far btw. But it's not just that - he passes better, rim runs more, rebounds harder and defends more cleverly. He eats pressure for breakfast, it is his lifeblood. Great signs for a dominant career. Only injury will slow him down.
One other thing - he is a very thoughtful kid, very intelligent, and seems to have a broader perspective than just basketball. And he is charismatic. I see him as a global icon by the age of 25. I think his reach will extend far beyond basketball.
PS Here's an email I sent to the Basketball Illuminati crew after that Wemby-JJ interview that pertains to his character and global appeal:
"Hey there Illuminators!
I've been meaning to write to you guys since episode 1 but you've covered everything so well I didn't feel I could add much. Then along comes Wemby on JJ's pod and I finally have a topic that I can shed some real light on, add some true insight. So, here's some illumination re: Wemby
NBA media and fans have all been referencing Wemby's incredibly mature JJ interview - and rightly so, the kid is 19 going on 29 - and many have picked up on the Universe stuff. But I'm yet to see anyone who has truly grasped what he was actually talking about. The key is where he comes from and what he said about freedom. Here's the whole quote from just after 30:30 on the YT:
"My totem, it is bigger than basketball y'know. It's accomplishing yourself inside this Universe. When I am [struggling] I always remember that I am free in that Universe, I do what I can, and nothing is going to stop me from doing it, I've always got that in mind. And it doesn't just stop at basketball, it's about life." JJ - "fuck, mannnnn… he’s reached enlightenment." Tommy - "well said!"
Here, Victor is actually referencing Existentialism, a philosophical movement championed in the mid 20th century by Jean Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauviour and Albert Camus among others. It goes back a fair bit further than them, but that is not relevant to us.
Now, the French take philosophy very seriously, it is integral to French culture. Since Wemby is French, he would have been formally and informally schooled in French philosophy by those around him, and Existentialism is a crucial part of that education.
Central to Existentialism is the idea of immutable freedom. In his seminal tome "Being and Nothingness", Sartre writes a lot on the nature of freedom, including the example of someone locked in a jail (Sartre was a POW in 1940-41) still being free because they are free inside their mind, and that can never be taken away. The philosophy goes a lot deeper and more abstruse, but suffice it to say that Wemby's comment about freedom is absolutely a reference to the Existentialist conception of freedom. And that dovetails into his references to "the Universe" because Existentialism is based in atheism, so references to God are antithetical.
To my mind Wemby clearly understands Existentialism. He has adopted one of its central ideas: that freedom comes with a responsibility to fully commit to whatever you believe gives meaning to your life. And he is saying that he will keep that central in his mind as he moves through basketball and the Universe. That is highly Existentialist.
I hope this sheds some light on some of Victor's more esoteric pronouncements. I know this stuff because I studied Existentialism at University. I waded through the same philosophical sludge as Wemby, and came out the other end thinking much the same way - only I can choose what gives my life meaning, so I may as well commit to it fully.
Regards, "
This too, shall pass
What happens when an arena sells out in anticipation of seeing Wembanyama, and Pop has him 'load managing'?
Wemby seems like a great talent and an even better person.
That said, he has no charisma from the perspective of American zoomers. Zero teenage boys will be learning/imitating his moves or spending their parents’ last dollars on his shoes.
If I were Adam Silver, I’d be looking for a David to be his rival.
Chet is the obvious choice in this regard. The Thunder and Spurs will play each other 3/4 times a year and both players play the same position. Holmgren is also another slightly freakish player who there are not really any comparisons for
He strikes me as someone who could walk away in the middle of a successful career because basketball no longer serves his purpose.
He could, he is absolutely someone with a broader view of life as I note above. But he is so passionate about basketball - he has explained that his entire life has been devoted to getting to the NBA since a young age - that I think he follows through on it to the end (serious injury could derail this, as it did for Walton), while simultaneously doing whatever else he wants to achieve in the world. Has has the maturity to realise he's only young once.
Ethan- Can you explain how Zion was allowed to miss last night’s game for “rest?” He was an All Star last season and I thought the rules prohibited this for this category of players. Not to mention the fact that he’s only played in four games so far this season.
Wemby is basically Shaq combined with Kobe but he shoots 3s. The hype is real.
Is this a subtle Israel / Palestine reference?
Slenderman is going as Wembanyama next Halloween
Never watched the video stream of JJ's podcast. Is he always that glassy eyed?
I really wanted someone to question that it was really him dressed up as Slender Man. Why was it not some other 7'5" dude coming to the Spurs game?
Reminds me of a more extroverted, media friendly Tim Duncan (who really had to be seen to be believed. Even towards the end of his career he was an athletic freak). Duncan is insanely smart and quick, he’s just a lot quieter.