Yo, is Wembanyama gonna be the sickest rookie ever to justify his ADP? We’ve seen some crazy talented rookies in the NBA over the years, like Yao Ming, LeBron James, and Zion Williamson. But now it’s time to see how Victor Wembanyama stacks up against these legends. And let me tell you, he’s got some big shoes to fill.
In the fantasy world, we can actually measure how these top picks perform by looking at their fantasy points. So, let’s take a trip down memory lane and check out the rookie seasons of every No. 1 overall pick since 2000. We’ll even throw in a few No. 2 and No. 3 picks who missed their first seasons due to injury.
Now, keep in mind that we’re using the standard ESPN scoring system here. And just to give you some context, Wembanyama has an ADP of 19.3 in fantasy drafts this season. The 20th highest-scoring player in the 2022-23 season had 2,942 fantasy points. So, let’s see how Wembanyama compares.
Alright, there’s a clear divide between the top four players on this list and the rest. Ben Simmons, Blake Griffin, Karl-Anthony Towns, and LeBron James all had rookie seasons that put them in the top 20 fantasy producers. These guys were on another level.
But then there’s a significant drop-off in production from the next tier of rookies. Derrick Rose, Anthony Edwards, Deandre Ayton, and John Wall had solid rookie seasons, but they weren’t quite at that top-tier level.
Now, here’s the thing. We’ve seen some incredible rookie seasons from players like Yao Ming, Dwight Howard, and Kevin Durant. But even their performances fall short of the top 20 fantasy season threshold in today’s game.
So, for Wembanyama to really live up to the hype and justify his draft position, he’s gotta have a rookie season as good as LeBron James in 2003-04. And let me tell you, that’s no easy feat. LeBron set the bar pretty damn high.
But here’s the exciting part. Wembanyama’s style of play is reminiscent of rookie Karl-Anthony Towns. Both players are known for their defensive skills and shot-blocking abilities, but they also have a solid offensive game. Towns surprised everyone with his offensive prowess, and Wembanyama could do the same.
Now, before we wrap this up, let’s give a shoutout to another rookie to watch out for – Chet Holmgren. He was the No. 2 pick in the 2022 NBA draft but missed his first season due to injury. Now, he’s ready to make his mark in his rookie season. Keep an eye on this guy in the Rookie of the Year race.
So, there you have it. Wembanyama has some big expectations to meet, but if he can deliver like LeBron and surprise us like Towns, he just might live up to the hype. Let the rookie season begin!