The San Antonio Spurs won the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes, ladies and gentlemen. The Spurs franchise is celebrating every second right now because the Frenchman will almost certainly be taken No. 1 overall to continue the legacy left by David Robinson and Tim Duncan, two bigs taken No. 1 overall in their respective draft classes. With Gregg Popovich still on the sidelines, the future is very bright for the Spurs as the young international star learns the ropes. The hype is very real on Wembanyama, not only because he moves so well at his height, but because of his elite skills as a scorer, defender, and passer. Not to mention, the big man just swept a host of accolades in the French league, including MVP and Defensive Player of the Year.
Looking back through time, only LeBron James can truly compare to Victor Wembanyama in terms of hype before a single NBA game is played. LeBron’s rookie season was backed by incredible hype because of the fact many compared him to Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson already and his basketball IQ was off the charts. James had a sensational rookie debut, posting 25 points, six rebounds, and nine assists on October 30, 2003. The 18-year-old basketball prodigy was fresh out of high school and was already a supremely talented player for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Will Victor Wembanyama be able to match what James did in his rookie season? Rather, will the Frenchman be able to have an entire rookie campaign as impressive as LeBron’s? James had a massive target on his back for being named “Chosen One”, whereas Wemby is coming out of France and many still don’t know a lot about his character or professional skills just yet. Without LeBron’s heavy target, perhaps Wembanyama will be able to have a more efficient rookie campaign.
With the NBA Draft around the corner and the start of the 2023-24 season a few months away, it is time to take Victor Wembanyama’s skills right now and compare them to that of LeBron when the King was just a rookie. It is time for the full NBA Draft comparison between arguably the two most hyped rookies of all time.
Scoring – Victor Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama is a unique scorer because he combines size and natural talent, which is unmatched. His fluidity in scoring the ball stands out is tremendous because he has everything in the bag already. He can cross defenders over and use his runner to get a good look at any point of a game. At a few inches over 7 feet tall, his shots are unblockable, which means he can get a good look almost whenever he wants. Victor is also a capable shooter and will enter the NBA with an efficient jumper which means he will have no problem in his rookie campaign.
Meanwhile, LeBron James’ scoring ability as a rookie was impressive as he showed great promise for his future in the NBA. He averaged 20.9 PPG in the 2003-2004 season, which ranked him second in scoring among rookies that year. He also became the youngest player ever to score 40 points in a game at the time. James’ scoring prowess was evident in his ability to penetrate defenses, finish at the rim, and knock down midrange jumpers. He also showed the ability to draw fouls and get to the free-throw line, where he shot a respectable 75.4%, although he only nailed 29.0% of his threes. As a result of his inconsistent shooting, LeBron James has to concede that Victor Wembanyama will be the better scorer.
Shooting – Victor Wembanyama
Wembanyama can shoot the ball at a very high level already. We might have never seen a center with a silky smooth jumper that the Frenchman has already at only 19 years old. He is a natural marksman because putting the ball into the hoop from a distance does not look easier for such a tall man. With a quick release, full confidence, and incredible height, Wembanyama will be a force to handle when he creates his own three-point shots or spots up from the corner. Expect Victor to average over 35% from deep over his career.
LeBron James’ three-point scoring ability as a rookie was not great. He only shot 29.0% from beyond the arc, which is below average for most players but not unusual for a rookie. However, his ability to get to the basket and score in the paint, as well as his overall scoring talent, compensated for his relatively weak three-point shooting. James was able to get hot from mid-range as a rookie, but he won’t be able to compare to Victor’s elite three-point shooting that the Frenchman will show in his rookie campaign.
Athleticism – LeBron James
Most players at over 7 feet tall don’t look natural on a basketball court because their movements look so awkward and limited. The movement can be stilted and forced, and it’s often strange just seeing them run up the court. Wembanyama is well over 7 feet tall yet can move like a guard and can get to any spot he wants on the floor with ease. At the same time, he is extremely slender and as we saw with Chet Holmgren, that won’t cut it in the NBA where the players are not only muscle-bound but athletic as well. Victor will add muscle with time, but he can’t compare to the behemoth that was LeBron as a rookie.
LeBron James’ athleticism as a rookie was one of the most talked-about aspects of his game. He was already considered one of the most physically gifted players in the league and his explosive speed, agility, and jumping ability made him a highlight reel every game. He was often compared to some of the greatest athletes in basketball history and his combination of size and skill made him a nightmare for defenders trying to guard him. At 6’9” and over 230 lbs of pure muscle as a rookie, James was unstoppable on a physical level and that was a major part of his Rookie of the Year success.
Defense – Victor Wembanyama
https://youtu.be/nPUQwrnkmYg
Any 7-footer should be able to defend at a high level because just standing up near the rim and lifting arms is enough to make a difference. Victor Wembanyama is quick off his feet to block shots, use his quickness to challenge opposing players and use his basketball IQ. Playing for the San Antonio Spurs will boost his credentials as a defender, especially with Gregg Popovich teaching him the ropes of stardom on both ends of the court. Due to his incredible height and wingspan alone, Wembanyama will be able to dominate the defensive end more than LeBron James, who was a small forward. Expect Victor to average at least 1.0 BPG and 1.0 SPG in his rookie campaign due to his size.
LeBron James’ defense as a rookie was solid, but there was definitely room for improvement. He showed good instincts and had the physical tools to defend multiple positions, but he also had some lapses in concentration and was sometimes caught out of position. With his athleticism and work ethic, however, it was clear that LeBron had the potential to become a great defender in the league. James averaged 1.6 SPG and 0.7 BPG in his rookie season, but he wasn’t able to impact the paint as much as Victor will.
Handles – LeBron James
Victor Wembenyama has elite handles for a big man of his size and this part of his game will only improve. Despite being very long and large, the Frenchman can cross over defenders and create space anytime he wants. This type of handle is unseen by a big man because he is taller than Nikola Jokic and Chet Holmgren and has similar athleticism and handles. As he matures, Wembanyama’s handles will only get better, although he won’t be able to do what LeBron James as the point forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
LeBron James’ ball-handling skills as a rookie were already at an elite level. He possessed an exceptional combination of speed, size, and ball control that made him difficult to defend, even at a young age. His ability to maneuver and change direction while maintaining possession of the ball was truly remarkable for a player of his size. James’ ball-handling also allowed him to create shots for himself and his teammates, which is why he posted 20.9 PPG and 5.9 APG. Whether it was scoring or playmaking, James used his handles to get to where he wanted to go.
Clutch – LeBron James
Victor Wembanyama will be able to dominate in the clutch in due time. For one, he cannot be blocked because he has a natural jumper with a high release point and his basketball IQ means he won’t force up bad shots and will use his physical gifts to get wherever he wants to go on the court. However, playing for the up-and-coming San Antonio Spurs means Victor won’t be placed in positions to succeed in the clutch and will have to concede that a young King was a better clutch player.
LeBron James’ clutch ability as a rookie was also a topic of discussion among fans and analysts. While he had some memorable clutch performances, such as a game-winning alley-oop against the Denver Nuggets, he also struggled at times in late-game situations. The lack of a consistent jumper did hurt James, also paired with the fact that the Cavaliers were not a great team. However, it was clear that he had the potential to develop into a clutch performer, and he showed enough in terms of scoring and playmaking that he was a go-to player in critical moments.
Leadership – LeBron James
Victor Wembanyama is an international player, and while he has his head screwed on tight and wants to be an all-time great superstar, he might have growing pains as a leader. The Frenchman has not appeared in the NBA just yet and we have seen that most international players take a while to settle into leadership, especially since the big man has been in France for his entire career so far. Similar to Kevin Durant, Wembanyama might be more of a quiet superstar than a forceful one like LeBron James.
LeBron James’ leadership ability as a rookie was already evident on and off the court. Despite being just 18 years old, he had a commanding presence that his teammates respected and looked up to. He led by example with his work ethic and competitiveness, and he also demonstrated a willingness to defer to his more experienced teammates when needed. LeBron consistently showed maturity beyond his years, which helped establish him as a leader for the Cleveland Cavaliers early on in his career. No doubt, James was a special leader as a rookie and has a clear advantage over Wembanyama.
Basketball IQ – LeBron James
The game seems to come easy for Victor Wembanyama. The Frenchman knows his athletic gifts and how to impose them on defenses, which means the young man has a special ability at only 19 years old. Wembanyama knows how to get looks for himself, whether it’s from deep or near the rim, and can get any shot he wants. The future No. 1 overall pick can also become a dominant defensive player and that will come in time as well. However, LeBron was already showing Magic Johnson vibes in his rookie campaign and that is something the Frenchman won’t be able to compare to yet.
LeBron James’ basketball IQ as a rookie was considered high by many coaches and analysts for his ability to read the game and make intelligent decisions on the court. Despite being a rookie, he displayed excellent court vision and passing ability to find open teammates. He was also able to make quick adjustments on both ends of the floor and showed excellent instincts in knowing when to make the right pass or take the right shot. Overall, his basketball IQ as a rookie was a good indicator of his future success in the league as a high-IQ player and there weren’t many like him at just 18 years old.
Impact – Victor Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama will have a spectacular impact as a rookie, even if he might lack the weight to handle opposing bigs. Other than his thin frame, Victor can block a few shots in a matter of minutes and also contest shots thanks to his basketball IQ. Offensively, Wembanyama has the handles to break defenses down and get anything he wants, from a jump shot to a runner. At over 7 feet tall, Victor Wembanyama can impact the game in every way although he won’t be able to lead the San Antonio Spurs to the playoffs by most predictions.
Meanwhile, LeBron James’ impact as a rookie was massive and far-reaching. He immediately established himself as a star in the league and gave fans in Cleveland and around the NBA a glimpse of his immense potential. Off the court, his arrival breathed new life into the struggling Cleveland Cavaliers franchise and re-energized the city of Cleveland. On the court, he helped the team improve from 17 to 35 wins and gave the side playoff potential going forward. His impact was felt not just in his impressive individual stats, but in the way he elevated the play of his teammates and inspired those around him. This is a tough comparison, but since Victor is so tall, he gets the nod.
Efficiency – LeBron James
Victor Wembanyama can get any shot he wants on the floor, and that means he can be supremely efficient. The Frenchman is unstoppable when he gets into his package because he can shoot over any defender as he has a high release. He has a very high basketball IQ and his efficiency will follow because he will be able to shoot a high percentage from the field and also use his height to get easy looks.
LeBron James became an efficiency king at one point, but it wasn’t there in his rookie season completely just yet. The King only shot 41.7% from the field, 29.0% from three, and 75.4% from the free-throw line. James was unable to get enough good looks as a rookie, but he was able to impact the game due to his combination of playmaking ability as well. Due to the fact that Wembanyama is so tall, he will likely shoot a higher percentage than LeBron James, but The King was the catalyst for efficient team possessions and there lies the difference.
1-On-1 Game – LeBron James
Credit: Fadeaway World
Victor Wembanyama can dominate any 1-on-1 matchup because he is 7’5” tall and has everything from a silky smooth jumper to the footwork to get him any look he wants. The Frenchman is dominating in France and could soon start his new regime in the NBA. The Frenchman will likely make a ton of headlines in his rookie campaign because there probably isn’t a defender outside of Giannis Antetokounmpo that will be able to handle Victor in transition or in one-on-one situations.
LeBron James’ one-on-one game as a rookie was already solid as he had an array of moves, including crossovers, spin moves, and hesitation dribbles, that allowed him to get past defenders and finish at the rim with authority. His size and strength also made him difficult to stop once he got into the paint. James was also able to use his court vision and passing ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates when defenses keyed in on him. As great as Victor will be in one-on-one situations, James has to take a slight edge.
Final ResultLeBron James vs. Victor Wembanyama 7-4
Victor Wembanyama is a one-of-a-kind superstar player, beyond anyone coming out of the 2023 NBA Draft. There isn’t a single comparison to him in NBA history, and that is enough to prove that the Frenchman is the single best player out of the Draft. Perhaps the closest comparison to him would be Kristaps Porzingis, although Victor is far more skilled and a few inches taller. It is scary the potential that Wembanyama has.
However, LeBron James was a one-of-a-kind rookie. The King’s averages were very solid at 20.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 5.9 APG, 1.6 SPG, and 0.7 BPG for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and won 35 games en route to a massive change in team record to the year prior. James was already playing similarly to Magic Johnson in terms of reading the floor and making the right plays and that was amazing to see. It is very likely that an international player from abroad will be able to have a similar impact coming into the NBA so young.
Victor is an international player and will need time to settle into the NBA, which probably means he won’t be able to be as good as LeBron James was. The King was already the “Chosen One” out of high school, and he had to handle that burden while putting up spectacular numbers in his first season. Wembanyama will probably start out slower than James and is not as refined as The King was, which means until he shows us something different, LeBron will probably be the better rookie.
