Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson pick LeBron James as the GOAT over Michael Jordan
The participants of the recently concluded 2023 NBA Draft were not spared from the burning GOAT debate between Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James and His Airness Michael Jordan. Top three draft selectees Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Miller, and Scoot Henderson all had the same answer — and MJ isn’t going to like it one bit. The incoming rookies were all faced with the same question on the red carpet as they were asked to take their pick between LeBron and Jordan. For starters, Wemby, Miller, and Scoot all went in the direction of the NBA’s all-time leading scorer:
Source: Paolo Songco @ Clutch Points
Source: Paolo Songco @ Clutch Points
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Christos Tsaltas @Tsaltas46
Victor Wembanyama’s first NBA contract
2023-24: $10.1M
2024-25: $10.6M
2025-25: $11.1M
2026-27: $11.7M
The first 2 years of the deal are fully guaranteed. There are options in 3rd and 4th year. In the qualifying offer after his 4th year there’s 40% increase. #GoSpursGo #PorVida – 5:26 AM
Victor Wembanyama’s first NBA contract
2023-24: $10.1M
2024-25: $10.6M
2025-25: $11.1M
2026-27: $11.7M
The first 2 years of the deal are fully guaranteed. There are options in 3rd and 4th year. In the qualifying offer after his 4th year there’s 40% increase. #GoSpursGo #PorVida – 5:26 AM
Sean Highkin @highkin
Scoot Henderson and Mike Schmitz watching film together, back when Schmitz was at ESPN before he was hired by the Blazers youtube.com/watch?v=BuPruG… – 11:29 PM
Scoot Henderson and Mike Schmitz watching film together, back when Schmitz was at ESPN before he was hired by the Blazers youtube.com/watch?v=BuPruG… – 11:29 PM
Jason Anderson @JandersonSacBee
Will Victor Wembanyama debut in Sacramento’s California Classic? Here’s when we’ll know sacbee.com/sports/nba/sac… – 9:52 PM
Will Victor Wembanyama debut in Sacramento’s California Classic? Here’s when we’ll know sacbee.com/sports/nba/sac… – 9:52 PM
Ryan Ward @RyanWardLA
According to @betonline_ag, Victor Wembanyama is the favorite to win NBA Rookie of the Year next season – SHOCKER!! Scoot Henderson and Chet Holmgren next in line – Lakers rookies Jalen Hood-Schifino and Max Lewis didn’t make this list. pic.twitter.com/kHbL7qmxK3 – 4:31 PM
According to @betonline_ag, Victor Wembanyama is the favorite to win NBA Rookie of the Year next season – SHOCKER!! Scoot Henderson and Chet Holmgren next in line – Lakers rookies Jalen Hood-Schifino and Max Lewis didn’t make this list. pic.twitter.com/kHbL7qmxK3 – 4:31 PM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Rockets’ presason to include games vs. Spurs, Victor Wembanyama houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-n… via @houstonchron – 3:24 PM
Rockets’ presason to include games vs. Spurs, Victor Wembanyama houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-n… via @houstonchron – 3:24 PM
Jonathan Feigen @Jonathan_Feigen
Rockets to face Spurs draft pick Sidy Cissoko and the Spurs (also Victor Wembanyama) in preseason games Oct. 16 and 18 in San Antonio. – 2:57 PM
Rockets to face Spurs draft pick Sidy Cissoko and the Spurs (also Victor Wembanyama) in preseason games Oct. 16 and 18 in San Antonio. – 2:57 PM
Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
Heralded top pick Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs will make their home preseason debut at the AT&T Center against the Miami Heat on Oct. 13. pic.twitter.com/ESUqxnGn5h – 2:56 PM
Heralded top pick Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs will make their home preseason debut at the AT&T Center against the Miami Heat on Oct. 13. pic.twitter.com/ESUqxnGn5h – 2:56 PM
Jimmy Spencer @JimmySpencer
LeBron James’ SpringHill Co. is co-hosting a one-day film festival focused on empowering athletes and their storytelling at NeueHouse Hollywood on July 13.
The Uninterrupted Film Festival, a collaboration of SpringHill’s digital platform Uninterrupted and Tribeca Enterprises,… – 2:28 PM
LeBron James’ SpringHill Co. is co-hosting a one-day film festival focused on empowering athletes and their storytelling at NeueHouse Hollywood on July 13.
The Uninterrupted Film Festival, a collaboration of SpringHill’s digital platform Uninterrupted and Tribeca Enterprises,… – 2:28 PM
Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA
The 2023 NBA Draft was the most-viewed draft ever across the @NBA’s socials and app:
📈 128 million video views, most-ever for the draft
📈 36 million video views for Victor Wembanyama, 1st among draftees
📈 NBA’s IG generated most video views on the platform on June 22 – 2:09 PM
The 2023 NBA Draft was the most-viewed draft ever across the @NBA’s socials and app:
📈 128 million video views, most-ever for the draft
📈 36 million video views for Victor Wembanyama, 1st among draftees
📈 NBA’s IG generated most video views on the platform on June 22 – 2:09 PM
Jeff McDonald @JMcDonald_SAEN
The Spurs announced dates for three home preseason games today. With Victor Wembanyama aboard, even these are sure to be a hot ticket. expressnews.com/sports/spurs/a… via @expressnews – 1:26 PM
The Spurs announced dates for three home preseason games today. With Victor Wembanyama aboard, even these are sure to be a hot ticket. expressnews.com/sports/spurs/a… via @expressnews – 1:26 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Most points scored in a single season:
4,029 — Wilt Chamberlain
3,586 — Wilt Chamberlain
3,041 — Michael Jordan
3,033 — Wilt Chamberlain
The only players to reach 3,000 points in a season. pic.twitter.com/YuWIlpTqLu – 1:12 PM
Most points scored in a single season:
4,029 — Wilt Chamberlain
3,586 — Wilt Chamberlain
3,041 — Michael Jordan
3,033 — Wilt Chamberlain
The only players to reach 3,000 points in a season. pic.twitter.com/YuWIlpTqLu – 1:12 PM
BasketNews @BasketNews_com
With the recent changes to the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement and NCAA’s increasing ability to recruit top International talent, Europe seems to fall behind 🤔
Why European basketball might not have the likes of Victor Wembanyama anymore: basketnews.com/news-190836-eu… – 12:24 PM
With the recent changes to the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement and NCAA’s increasing ability to recruit top International talent, Europe seems to fall behind 🤔
Why European basketball might not have the likes of Victor Wembanyama anymore: basketnews.com/news-190836-eu… – 12:24 PM
Joe Vardon @joevardon
After meeting over the weekend with the former Team USA coach, Victor Wembanyama is skipping out on Team France for the World Cup, @TheAthleticNBA theathletic.com/4640963/2023/0… – 10:40 AM
After meeting over the weekend with the former Team USA coach, Victor Wembanyama is skipping out on Team France for the World Cup, @TheAthleticNBA theathletic.com/4640963/2023/0… – 10:40 AM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
Victor Wembanyama has decided not to play for France in this summer’s FIBA World Cup and will focus on preparing for his rookie season with the Spurs and next year’s Paris Olympics, he told French newspaper L’Equipe. spr.ly/6018P6CEC – 9:42 AM
Victor Wembanyama has decided not to play for France in this summer’s FIBA World Cup and will focus on preparing for his rookie season with the Spurs and next year’s Paris Olympics, he told French newspaper L’Equipe. spr.ly/6018P6CEC – 9:42 AM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Victor Wembanyama to skip World Cup to focus on Spurs, Paris Olympics
nbcsports.com/nba/news/victo… – 9:28 AM
Victor Wembanyama to skip World Cup to focus on Spurs, Paris Olympics
nbcsports.com/nba/news/victo… – 9:28 AM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
Victor Wembanyama will skip the FIBA World Cup, and instead focus on getting ready for his rookie season.
The Spurs begin Summer League play on July 7 vs. the Hornets.
(via @lequipe) pic.twitter.com/qyOkNYsnsI – 9:26 AM
Victor Wembanyama will skip the FIBA World Cup, and instead focus on getting ready for his rookie season.
The Spurs begin Summer League play on July 7 vs. the Hornets.
(via @lequipe) pic.twitter.com/qyOkNYsnsI – 9:26 AM
Brian Windhorst @WindhorstESPN
Victor Wembanyama reverses decision and will not play for France in World Cup to focus on rookie season with Spurs & 2024 Olympics: espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 7:29 AM
Victor Wembanyama reverses decision and will not play for France in World Cup to focus on rookie season with Spurs & 2024 Olympics: espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 7:29 AM
BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Victor Wembanyama was asked to name his starting 5️⃣ in case the planet would need to be saved 👀
🇺🇸 Steph Curry
🇺🇸 Michael Jordan
🇺🇸 LeBron James
🇻🇮 Tim Duncan
🇺🇸 Shaquille O’Neal pic.twitter.com/Rt1dSdGrNg – 4:57 AM
Victor Wembanyama was asked to name his starting 5️⃣ in case the planet would need to be saved 👀
🇺🇸 Steph Curry
🇺🇸 Michael Jordan
🇺🇸 LeBron James
🇻🇮 Tim Duncan
🇺🇸 Shaquille O’Neal pic.twitter.com/Rt1dSdGrNg – 4:57 AM
Spencer Percy @QCHspencer
I just had a very random thought that maybe Scoot Henderson is Eric Bledsoe. Then I walked outside and smoked a cigarette. – 1:53 PM
I just had a very random thought that maybe Scoot Henderson is Eric Bledsoe. Then I walked outside and smoked a cigarette. – 1:53 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“I think he should stay…it would be great to play alongside a guy like Dame”
🏀 The newest member of the @trailblazers Scoot Henderson wants to be Damian Lillard’s teammate in Portland #RipCity #NBADraft
@TermineRadio | @DalenCuff | @SiriusXMSports
siriusxm.us/NBAdraft23 pic.twitter.com/QJVb7b3wNd – 12:27 PM
“I think he should stay…it would be great to play alongside a guy like Dame”
🏀 The newest member of the @trailblazers Scoot Henderson wants to be Damian Lillard’s teammate in Portland #RipCity #NBADraft
@TermineRadio | @DalenCuff | @SiriusXMSports
siriusxm.us/NBAdraft23 pic.twitter.com/QJVb7b3wNd – 12:27 PM
Ben Anderson @BensHoops
October 29, 2003.
• LeBron James makes his NBA debut.
October 30, 2003.
• Brice Sensebaugh is born. pic.twitter.com/duuPvcrQ1W – 6:08 PM
October 29, 2003.
• LeBron James makes his NBA debut.
October 30, 2003.
• Brice Sensebaugh is born. pic.twitter.com/duuPvcrQ1W – 6:08 PM
Chase Hughes @ChaseHughesNBCS
Bilal Coulibaly served a few reminders of how young he is (18).
– He first got into basketball because his father’s favorite player was Carmelo
– His first memory as an NBA fan was LeBron winning a title with the Heat
– He only knows Gilbert Arenas (the last No. 0) from 2K – 1:32 PM
Bilal Coulibaly served a few reminders of how young he is (18).
– He first got into basketball because his father’s favorite player was Carmelo
– His first memory as an NBA fan was LeBron winning a title with the Heat
– He only knows Gilbert Arenas (the last No. 0) from 2K – 1:32 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Sidy says he looks forward to playing against Scoot Henderson and other former G-League Ignite teammates, as well as LeBron James – 1:02 PM
Sidy says he looks forward to playing against Scoot Henderson and other former G-League Ignite teammates, as well as LeBron James – 1:02 PM
More on this storyline
LeBron James’ SpringHill Co. is co-hosting a one-day film festival focused on empowering athletes and their storytelling at NeueHouse Hollywood on July 13. The Uninterrupted Film Festival, a collaboration of SpringHill’s digital platform Uninterrupted and Tribeca Enterprises, will bring together high-profile athletes, filmmakers and content creators for documentary premieres, post-screening panels and state-of-the-game conversations. -via Los Angeles Times / June 26, 2023
The festival will showcase two new films featuring Black athletes and their experiences. One is “Goliath,” a new Showtime docuseries about Wilt Chamberlain, the trailblazing Lakers champion and basketball hall of famer. Content Cartel, the L.A.-based company owned by Kevin Garnett, another NBA all-timer, is among the film studios that produced the series. -via Los Angeles Times / June 26, 2023
The festival will end with an hourlong live taping of “The Draymond Green Show,” the popular podcast series hosted by the four-time NBA champion power forward. -via Los Angeles Times / June 26, 2023
Before coming to the NBA, Wemby played for Metropolitans 92 where he was coached by Vincent Collet, who also leads the French national team. He was part of the coaching clinic in Belgrade last week. In an interview with Telegraf, the specialist commented about the two players. “I hope that Wembanyama will be like Nikola Jokic. He has potential but the most difficult thing is to realize it all. He is only 19 years old. I know him very well because I coached him. I imagine he will be very successful,” Collet said. “It’s possible that, in a few years, all the best basketball players will be from Europe.” -via BasketNews / June 27, 2023
Tim Reynolds: Victor Wembanyama’s first home preseason game with the Spurs will be Oct. 13 vs. Miami. -via Twitter @ByTimReynolds / June 26, 2023
NBA Communications: The 2023 NBA Draft presented by State Farm was the most-viewed draft ever on NBA Social and the NBA App: 📈128M video views, most-ever for draft 📈36M video views for Victor Wembanyama, 1st among draftees 📈@NBA Instagram generated most video views on the platform on June 22 -via Twitter / June 26, 2023
[The Blazers] felt like picking [Scoot Henderson] was better than any other trades that could have been had… They’re trying to sell to Dame that they’re not in a rebuild.” @ChrisBHaynes on Damian Lillard’s meeting with the Blazers -via Twitter @ClutchPointsApp / June 27, 2023
The relationship between Damian Lillard and the franchise, according to sources, remains on solid ground but the team’s inability to flip the No. 3 pick in Thursday’s NBA draft into a veteran star didn’t sit well with the franchise point guard. -via Oregonian / June 26, 2023
The Blazers could still make key additions during free agency, which begins Friday. Also, the Blazers have remaining assets they could use to acquire a star via trade. However, the No. 3 pick was a huge trade chip that the franchise originally planned to trade. But Cronin said draft night that offers he received from other teams were not good enough to convince him to pass on selecting point guard Scoot Henderson (G League Ignite). -via Oregonian / June 26, 2023
Interestingly enough, Lakers rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino went with MJ. It seems like the youngsters were asked before the actual draft, which means that at that point in time, Hood-Schifino hadn’t been drafted by the Lakers yet. He probably would have answered differently once it was confirmed that he was going to be teammates with James. Jalen now has some explaining to do on his first day of practice. -via Clutch Points / June 27, 2023
The Hornets showed a clip of you getting the phone call from Michael Jordan after being drafted. Can you explain that moment? Brandon Miller: Yeah, like I’ve said before, he’s definitely M.J. — the G.O.A.T. We wear his shoes, we wear his brand. So, just hearing him call your phone, that’s kind of a dream come true and an amazing feeling. -via Charlotte Observer / June 23, 2023
Jake Fischer: Word definitely is spreading among teams in the lottery that Charlotte is still strongly considering Scoot Henderson at No. 2, particularly with support from new ownership. General manager Mitch Kupchak told reporters this week Michael Jordan has final say over the selection. -via Twitter @JakeLFischer / June 22, 2023