The NBA world, as we know it, may change in October 2023, when the 2023-24 NBA season tips off. At least, that’s how every analyst on this planet is acting. With Victor Wembanyama presumed to go to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2023 Draft, the 7ft 4″ Frenchman is someone every team wanted to get. While Shaquille O’Neal gets the hype around him, he doesn’t agree with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and his comments.
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Adrian Wojnarowski has been on Victor Wembanyama’s case for quite some time now. In October 2022, he talked about how Wemby can instantly add $500 Million to any franchise’s value. Back then as well, Woj called him the greatest prospect in Draft History, and he repeated something similar yesterday. Woj called him the ‘greatest prospect in the history of team sports.’
Shaquille O’Neal disagrees with Woj’s analysis of Victor Wembanyama
Shaquille O’Neal is a former #1 pick himself and had a lot of attention from the media and NBA scouts. He knows what it’s like to be hyped so much, and then face the pressure as well. Shaq was recently on The Rich Eisen Show, where O’Neal shared that he’s happy for Victor Wembanyama and believes the 7ft 4″ big man will do well in the current day NBA.
However, the one thing that didn’t sit well with him was ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski’s comments calling him the ‘greatest prospect in history of team sports.’ Talking about the same, O’Neal said,
“I have a question. Woj was bragging about Victor Wembanyama was the best pick ever. You believe that?”
The host responded with a no and said that Wemby has great potential, but she doesn’t know how someone can say ever.
“I think this kid will do great. The game is different, cause remember, he’s a pick-and-pop guy, who’s gon shoot jumpers, so he’ll do well.”
“This was the boom boom boom #1 pick in the history of the game, and I said ever? In the history of the game ever?”
When the host brought up how Woj called Wemby the ‘best athlete ever’ as well, Shaq said,
“Yes he did, and I was like huh?”
It is clear that Shaq did not agree with Woj’s analysis. He was one of the most coveted picks coming out of college, going at the top spot in the 1992 Draft. However, one cannot mention the greatest draft pick and not bring up LeBron James. Even before he was a senior in high school, it was clear that he’ll go as the #1 Pick in the NBA Draft, beating the likes of collegiate players like Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade.
Wemby has already added $16 Million to the Spurs’ value
According to Darren Rovell of Action Network, the projected #1 pick in the 2023 Draft, Victor Wembanyama, has already added $16 Million to the Spurs, even before they have drafted him. According to Rovell, the $16 Million the Spurs added was just the 9th highest among the lottery teams.
While Wemby added money to the Spurs, he cost Michael Jordan $280 Million. The $16 Million have come in through various sources. The number is expected to rise as the Spurs had some 8% unsold tickets this season. We can expect the same to change in the upcoming year, as Wemby takes the floor for them.
There is tremendous pressure on Wemby’s shoulders, and at that point, there is no better coach than Gregg Popovich to guide him through.
