In pursuit of Vembanyama

Very soon, the NBA will close the transfer window (February 9) and the All-Star Game (February 19). This means that the league will enter the final part of the regular season without any problems. And if 25 of the 30 NBA teams are still actively fighting to qualify for the playoffs, and the distribution of places at the table changes almost every game day, the circle of candidates for the high picks of the next voter has already formed.

What is attractive in the next draft? Under the first number on it, Victor Vembanyama will be chosen. The Frenchman has an incredible height – 223 cm, and the arm span is usually a great 243 cm. For comparison, Boban Marjanovic has the same height with an arm span of “only” 239 cm; Kristaps Porzingis – 221; 229 respectively. Victor also shoots from any distance: 2-pointers – 57.3% of sales on average of 10 tries; 3-pointers – 30% in 5 tries.

In addition, Vemby knows how to attack facing the shield, he can beat his opponent while dribbling, his shot on the post is hard to hide, and a soft brush allows you to make him a threat from behind the arc in an ongoing attack. basis. Victor has good playmaking skills, can accelerate the team’s fast attacks right after the rebound, and is already seen as a contender for the title of main talent of the generation among the tall men. Next up are clubs that can get him to audition.

Houston rockets

Texans are obviously suffering after the Harden trade. With 13 wins and 38 losses so far, they have a 14% chance of winning the elective lottery. Houston has talented young people but nothing more. The center and forward positions were closed by newcomers Shengyun and Smith. And in the last two years, the team has been in the top 3 draws twice.

Ever since Maury, the Rockets had a strategy of picking the most talented player in basketball. As a result, no player in the front row of the team can remain calm until the draw. After all, any coach and manager sharpens the team for Vembanyama. With such an unstable roster, Houston needs a touchstone to build the entire team as a whole. which time. Smith is more of a disappointment. And don’t trust Jaylen Green.

What is the plan of Steven Silas’ wards for the final episode of the season? Play and lose more. The organization is completely satisfied with the possibility of fighting for the French. And they have nothing to hope for this season. Except for the development of basketball players, which should add a number of former players with a good work ethic. At the very least, this will prepare the young “rockets” for the arrival of the most talented tall man of the generation. But will the administration decide this, as such a step would give them a few “unnecessary” victories? In the worst-case scenario, the team will take on Scoot Henderson in the auditions, which will allow them to choose one of the Green or forwards from the sides of the field who can qualitatively complete the roster.

So, Houston has a win-win situation: they either take Vemby or replace the unlucky Green or close a problematic position on the roster. And the fact that the team… will retain a 14% chance of winning the next audition is almost an obvious thing.

Detroit Pistons

Motor City already has a franchise player, giant quarterback Cade Cunningham. And in the past three seasons, the organization has been in the top 6 of the draw three times. Among them, a choice fell on the first election – Cunningham. By the way, they used to say that you can build a championship team by making the elite connection between “small” and “big”. Good examples of this are Kobe and Shaq Lakers and Kareem and Magic, Parker and Duncan and San Antonio. Consider a group of modern quarterbacks and tall men. With a long-range shot, seeing the field, head on his shoulders. Will Detroit have many rivals in 4-5 years?

The Pistons are currently last in the Eastern Conference and second to last in the league as a whole. So they own 14% of Vembanyama. Their record is 13 wins with 39 losses. Cunningham himself has long been crippled. Add to that the “Pistons” desire to trade top basketball player Bogdanovich, and we’ve got a team that doesn’t count on anything higher than the 28th line in the regular season.

But should the organization twitch about today’s results? French Hayes replaced Cade (5.8 assists per game). Defensive rookie Düren (the team’s best in rebounding) is improving in the frontcourt and can complement the environment-loving Vembanyama. The wings in Detroit are also in place. Only an elite center is missing.

So, Duane Casey’s team is young and promising and well supported. Soon, Detroit will be ready to take the next step in its development – signing strong free agents who will fight for the playoff zone. And before that, it would be ideal if the organization had a center with this level of capabilities.

Charlotte Hornets

The team surprised by sacking James Borrego, a highly skilled mentor. But even more surprising was the return to the coaching bridge of Steve Clifford, who has recently become the most successful coach in franchise history in terms of wins. Probably Michael Jordan doesn’t trust this season and wants to add Vembi to the Lamelo Ball.

Something like Detroit. Will Lamelo give up his role as the team’s first violin? If not, would it not harm the development and formation of the French? It should probably hurt. However, Charlotte has a 14% chance to get Vembanyama. Can it change? The Hornets could suddenly gain a few extra wins at the end of the season and lose a high spot in the auditions. And do not be embarrassed by the fact that the team has only two wins in the last matches.

In terms of previous draft picks, the Charlottes only had one Top 3 pick, LaMelo Ball. Otherwise, this is a typical representative of the swamp of the NBA, where the team could not completely unite due to a good roster, but there was almost no struggle to get into the playoffs. Obviously, now Michael Jordan has decided to take a high draft pick and thus add talent to his roster. But don’t forget Steve Clifford, he knows how to get the team a few wins that will totally ruin their audition position.

orlando magic

Orlando didn’t trade Shaq or Howard last season, which means it’s nearly impossible to be a French big, first pick in this year’s draft. Moreover, the organization has been in the top 8 three times in the last two seasons, one of which was the winner last year. But still. Let’s consider this situation.

The team from the southeast United States is currently fifth from the bottom of the standings and has a very real 10.5% chance of Veembe. And that’s relatively high. But the cast consists of talented youngsters: Bankero, Wagner, Anthony, as well as Suggs, Fultz and Carter Jr. Orlando should consider more important tournament goals than the next best pick challenge. And next season that fight should begin.

The team can already beat the Clippers, Atlanta, Toronto twice in a row and Boston (what? Season favourite? Twice in a row?). However, having a strong squad, such a chance to lag behind the best odds falls quite rarely. Floridans want to take advantage of it, too. Yes, and only four wins in the last 10 games under the tutelage of Jamal Moseley. Why don’t you try to get Vembanyama?

San Antonio Spurs

Knowing that Tim Duncan had put forward his candidacy for the draft, Gregg Popovich deliberately lost Tim to win. The plan worked, and the lottery draw was obviously lucky (Boston wanted Duncan, too).

Why is the Duncan story important? Because the CAC needs a franchise player on which to build the foundations of a new San Antonio dynasty.

And for this, everything is already ready in Spurs: players are selected by position (except center) from the draft draw, age leaders have been exchanged for a long time, the current center team is prepared for transfer (Peltl) and there is a demand for this all players from behind the belts comes out and coach Popovich is at the helm.

Who is San Antonio after? It is clear that their target is Victor Vembanyama. The lack of wins in recent games clearly illustrates the situation in Texas. But most importantly, it can be a good repeat of history, as with Tim Duncan. And it will make Gregg Popovich retire with peace of mind.

Vyacheslav Shevchenko