Two Hot Takes About The 2023-24 Rookie Class
After months of waiting, the NBA season finally returns this week. Amongst the many players suiting up in new destinations for the first time officially, the 2023 draftees will make their NBA debuts.
Many season predictions are being made right now, so we will follow suit. Here are two hot takes regarding this year’s rookie class:
Victor Wembanyama Contends For Defensive Player Of The Year
Wembanyama is currently 19 years old. For a normal player this young, adding any sort of value on defense is a win. But as most know, very little about the San Antonio Spurs' top overall draft pick is normal.
Given that he is still a teenager, Wembanyama lacks some high-end technique defensively. He often begins his help rotations late and lacks pristine positioning when guarding pick-and-rolls.
However, at 7-foot-4 with a wingspan north of eight feet, Wembanyama has the largest defensive margin for error ever. He can completely overplay one side in the pick-and-roll or get beat on the perimeter just to turn around and send a shot to the rafters regardless.
Wembanyama will make a lot of mistakes on defense this season that just will not matter due his one-of-a-kind ground coverage and stature. He is also mobile enough to move with perimeter players at times and his sheer presence on the court will shrink the floor for players and make them think twice about attacking the basket. Wembanyama should be the best rim protector in the league early on and contend for the Defensive Player Of The Year award.
Ausar Thompson Immediately Plays At An All-Defense Level
Keeping the topic on defense, we move down the draft order to the fifth overall pick: Ausar Thompson.
The Detroit Pistons' newest wing is an athletic dynamo. At 6-foot-7, he possesses the lateral speed to slide with anybody as well as the strength to take bumps with his chest. He’s also an incredible mover and leaper who can sky to reject shots. Additionally, Thompson makes smart decisions and possesses strong hands to prod the ball free.
Thompson will quickly be able to overwhelm ball handlers with his athleticism and make positive plays as a help defender. He will make a compelling run at a spot on one of the NBA’s All-Defense squads despite being a rookie.
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