The NBA season starts for the first time with the 2.24 m prodigy

To kick things off, defending champion Denver Nuggets with Nikola Jokic will welcome the Los Angeles Lakers with veteran star LeBron James on Wednesday night (1:30 a.m. CEST). The debut of the 2.24 m tall Victor Wembanyama with the San Antonio Spurs is also eagerly awaited a day later. The 19-year-old shooting star from France is considered the greatest talent since James.Denver (Colorado). He was drafted first by the Cleveland Cavaliers 20 years ago; Wembanyama wasn’t even born back then. James, now 38, has set numerous records during his career and is now entering his 21st NBA season.

Wembanyama has the potential for a similar career, but the “prodigy” with shoe size 55 will not be in contention for the title in his first season at Spurs. Nevertheless, the power forward could shake up the league at the former club of Austrian export Jakob Pöltl. Because “Wemby”, as he is called, not only has an enormous range, but also an excellent feel for the ball despite his size, and his long-range throw is also effective.

Wembanyama showed this in pre-season preparation. In his four games, the “rookie”, who has already made appearances for the French national team, averaged 19.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks. However, like the Toronto Raptors with Pöltl, the Spurs have little chance of entering the title race. The Raptors start the new season on Thursday night (1:30 a.m. CEST) against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Spurs two hours later against the Dallas Mavericks.

“Wemby” and the “Greek Freak”

Others will probably fight for the championship in a season that starts a week later than last due to the World Cup in the summer. According to experts and bookmakers, the number of favorites is limited, but the Nuggets are hoping to successfully defend their title. Denver managed to keep the core of the team around Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. together during the offseason. The biggest competitors include the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics.

The Bucks in particular want to fight back led by “Greek Freak” Giannis Antetokounmpo. The 2021 champion therefore brought in well-known reinforcements in the person of Damian Lillard via trade in the summer. The 33-year-old is considered one of the best long-range shooters in the league. However, it remains to be seen how well the two superstars will harmonize. The summer in Boston was even more spectacular. The second top team in the Eastern Conference signed two more stars through trades, Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, at the expense of squad depth.

In the Western Conference, the Phoenix Suns, led by Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and newcomer Bradley Beal, are hoping for a strong season. The Golden State Warriors also want to have a say in the Larry O’Brien Trophy with sharpshooter Stephen Curry, who has another veteran in Chris Paul. Just like Curry, his eternal rival James is going for his fifth NBA championship ring.

James struggled with a foot injury last season, but the superstar is said to be in great physical shape again. “He looks like LeBron in his third or fourth year in the NBA,” emphasized Lakers head coach Darvin Ham.