While the Nets and different contenders will attempt to win a name this season, many different groups will intention to win the lottery — and Victor Wembanyama. The NBA superstar the 18-year-old Frenchman is continuously likened to — the Nets’ Kevin Durant — joined the refrain of admirers who’re announcing the 7-foot-4 phenom goes to be particular.
Wembanyama scored 37 issues on 7-for-11 capturing from 3-point vary and added 5 blocks Tuesday in a loss by way of his French professional workforce to G-League Ignite. He were given revenge Thursday within the rematch, with 36 issues, 11 rebounds, 4 blocks and 4 assists to guide his Metropolitans 92 membership to victory over the Ignite.
That brought about LeBron James to dub him “an alien.” Durant additionally took realize.
“Yeah of course. How can you miss him?” mentioned Durant, breaking into a smile on the mere point out of Wembanyama. “That kind of talent and skill, it just puts a smile on your face if you play basketball, because the evolution of the game has taken us this far. We have 7-5 dudes that are able to do everything on the court. He’s inspiring to a lot of people out here.”
That’s prime reward, however no longer hyperbole. Wembanyama may well be the most-hyped prospect since James. He no longer most effective can be a goal of groups on the backside of the league, but in addition even golf equipment within the heart would possibly tank for an insignificant probability at his franchise-changing products and services.
For his section, Wembanyama isn’t likening himself to Durant, James or anyone else — or proscribing himself to such comparisons — one thing that inspired the Nets superstar.
“I heard a comment he said where someone compared him to some players in the league, where he said I think I do myself a disservice if I compare myself to one or two players. I want to take from everybody. That was such a profound statement. It made me a big fan of his,” Durant mentioned. “The league is really in trouble when he comes in. I want to see how it plays out. Everyone is excited for his arrival to the league.”
Markieff Morris had a cast day trip within the Nets’ loss to the Heat on Thursday with 10 issues and 6 rebounds, even though he was once minus-21 in quarter-hour off the bench.
“Kieff just played hard, tried to get in there and be physical and get offensive rebounds. He can stretch the floor and make threes. A veteran who knows how to play,” trainer Steve Nash mentioned. “The biggest role that Kieff can play for us this year is to be a leader and teach these guys how to compete and push them to higher standards.”
Nets proprietor Joe Tsai has taken in each preseason video games, and was once seated courtside for the loss to the Heat. He and spouse Clara Wu Tsai are being commemorated for his or her $50 million reward to the New York Philharmonic, with the Wu Tsai Theater at Lincoln Center opening on Saturday.
An upcoming Hulu sequence starring Ronny Chieng — which shot scenes at halftime of the primary two preseason video games — is loosely in keeping with Tsai, albeit reportedly replacing the nature from Nets proprietor to GM.
The Nets will host their 6th annual Practice within the Park on Sunday at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 2.