Talking about the NBA Draft, it’s really not expected to be much of a surprise who goes with the first pick. Pundits have been talking for years. And it feels like the pick has already been made, even before draft month has arrived.
But making an NBA prediction helps many to feel validated, to believe they know more about the game than they perhaps have ever let on. The NBA team stats and the NBA player stats will rise and fall. And anybody who predicts these things accurately will almost always feel like a genius.
As the NBA schedule is going to wind up pretty empty over these next nine days with one of the two conference finals done and the other on its way to, the draft is going to take over the conversations.
2023 NBA Draft odds will be ahead of NBA matchups, because there simply will not be any that are happening. The San Antonio Spurs are major winners, and having a team that was veteran-heavy during a period in which they won five titles in sixteen seasons, is going to help them to take off even quicker.
Let’s take a look just for fun, at the guys who could go No.1 overall in case of a dramatic shift.
It Starts With Wembenyama
Anybody that had trouble spelling Antetokounmpo might want to rejoice this time around. This next great star with a long name has a much easier path to getting it correct.
Victor Wembenyama has been the most talked about prospect since LeBron James. Also, he is the only player between then and now that comes close with any kind of hype is Zion Williamson. And it has been clear how he has struggled to stay on the floor and to meet the expectations that came with the fame.
Standing over 7’4 with an insane wingspan, Wemby, as he’s been known to his peers, is simply an athletic freak. He can knock down jump shots with relative ease. He is able to contest shots from anywhere on the floor, getting his hands on almost every last ball. This is why the 2023 NBA Draft odds have him at -2000 to be taken by San Antonio with the first overall pick. There was some real debate and thought last draft, but this one is all but a sure thing.
Maximizing Potential: Wembenyama’s Quest for Greatness
All three of Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Tim Duncan have agreed to mentor Wembenyama, which means that regulars in the best of the best will be in his ear right from the get-go. This type of leadership/thing hasn’t really happened much over the course of the league. He is going to be the second-tallest No.1 pick of all-time behind 7’6 Yao Ming. Unfortunately, injuries made sure his career was not as great as it could have been
Wembenyama is coming into this league ready to take it over. His highlights have been all over social media, and it’s clear that he’s serious about the game. Perhaps similar to Chet Holmgren and Bol Bol, though, he is extremely thin. He is going to have to put on some pounds at some point to be able to deal with contact. Landing space will always be an issue, but let’s see what he winds up doing.
Let’s look at the (extremely long) 2023 NBA Draft odds at No.1 for the other two guys.
Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller
After a dominant season with the G-League Ignite, Scoot Henderson is ready for the NBA. He is an immensely talented 6’2 guard. With +2500 odds to go No.1 if the Spurs should decide to change their minds on Wembenyama. Scoot is a great scorer and playmaker.
There aren’t many holes in his game, and some have even hypothesized that he could wind up being the best player from this draft when all is said and done.
And then of course, is Alabama’s Brandon Miller. At +12000 to go No.1, he has proven to be a great scorer. He can shoot and defend at a high level already. There was some off-court drama and incidents during his tenure with the Crimson Tide, but that appears to be behind him.
He won’t be a superstar in the league, but could wind up as a No.2 option on a future contender.
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