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Welcome to the Space Jam!

The Wemby Bounce

This kid is basketball CGI

Are you sick of Victor Wembanyama and the hype surrounding the San Antonio Spurs rookie’s career before it officially starts? Then, you might want to scroll down because he kept doing hype-worthy stuff in preseason action that stopped the internet and made everybody cartoonishly rub their eyes and ask “Is this BLEEP real?”

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So, what did Wemby do against the Miami Heat Friday night? He dunked from outside the restricted area, friends.

Big deal, right? He’s at least 7-4. Dunking from that spot is normal for super athletes like Ja Morant. Here’s the thing with Wemby: he didn’t jump from outside the charge circle and come toward the hoop to dunk it. His entire body, other than his arm, was outside of it! Don’t believe me? See for yourself:

Look at Thomas Bryant’s face. That’s the expression of a man saying, “maybe I’ll retire sooner than later.”

Through two preseason games, Wemby has been a walking highlight. And I know cynics might respond with, “It’s only preseason.”

If that’s your attitude toward what’s happening, please find some joy in your life. All of this action is special. No, Wemby is not the first special prospect we’ve seen, nor will he be the last. But we can celebrate special action of any sort on the court. Who cares if  “it’s only preseason?” Wemby is doing all of this while resembling an awkward drawing of an athlete. His limbs don’t make physical sense. He has a balance that feels like video game sliders were unfairly adjusted.

Look at this incredible give-and-go lob play that started out with him as the initiator and ended with a dunk in the blink of an eye.

Watch every minute of Wembanyama this season.

Let’s check in with Shams to start the week!

GO DEEPER

Victor Wembanyama flashes fourth-quarter flurry in debut

The Latest From Shams

Harden’s push from Philly continues

In case you missed it Friday, Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden addressed the media after an offseason that included a contract opt-in, a trade request, a six-figure fine from the NBA and more.

You can dive into Harden’s comments here, but the 10-time All-Star was pretty adamant about whether he thinks his relationship with the organization can be repaired. Harden wants to be traded to the LA Clippers, and I’m told LA has continued to pursue additional draft assets from other teams in order to improve their offer to the 76ers.

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The situation continues to be among the biggest storylines in the NBA, and even former 76ers owner Michael Rubin weighed in recently during an appearance on current 76er Pat Beverley’s podcast. We’ll continue to keep an eye on how it all develops as the regular season nears.

Back to Zach for a couple more season previews.

Clippers Preview

Are they credible contenders?

Team previews for the 2023-24 season have begun! Until the regular season starts, we’re doing a team from the Western Conference and the Eastern Conference each day while going in reverse order of last season’s standings. Catch up here, if you’ve missed any.

The Clippers went 44-38 on their way to a fifth-place finish in the West last season. They got smoked in the first round of the postseason by the Phoenix Suns, as Kawhi Leonard played two games and Paul George (33) didn’t play any. So, once again, should you believe in the Clippers?

Player to watch: Kawhi Leonard

Leonard (32) is a top-five player in the world when healthy and cooking. He can drag teams through a playoff series. But his health (played in 52 games last season) must be managed, no matter what hacky pundits say. If Leonard reaches the playoffs healthy, we’re in business.

Contract year guy: Marcus Morris Sr.

Maybe he’s used in a Harden trade or another deal. But Morris (34) is one of those role players who can have a nice short-term impact on a team. He’s shot nearly 40 percent from deep in his last five seasons.

Big question: Will they be healthy?

It always comes down to that question with this group. I hate basing a season preview around health, but that’s just the unavoidable truth with the Clippers. When they’re healthy, they’re dangerous to everybody. But that’s so rare now. 

Big obstacle: A stagnant offense

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Moving away from health for a section, the Clippers were pretty good offensively when Leonard and George played (118.9 offensive rating with both on the court). For context, the Sacramento Kings’ mark of 118.6 in 2022-23 is the highest single-season mark in NBA history. However, there wasn’t much movement or passing, which Coach Ty Lue is trying to fix. Maybe he can also help with getting to the free-throw line when it matters most?

Best-case/Worst-case:

Best: They make it through the regular season, their two stars remain healthy and the Clippers finally make a real run at contention.

Worst: They’re good enough to be a top-six team in the West before flaming out due to injuries and listlessness in the playoffs.

Win total over/under: 46.5

The talent is there to be a 50-win team, but even I’m getting sick of mentioning health in this preview.

Prediction: I’ll believe in them during the regular season with 48 wins, but you can’t feel great about the postseason, based on their history.

Knicks Preview

Can New York reach another level?

The Knicks had a bounce-back season with a 47-35 record to finish fifth in the East. Then, they eliminated the No.3 Cavs in the first round before getting beat by the Heat. Do the Knicks have the consistency to keep this moving forward?

Player to watch: Julius Randle

The last few years have been a roller coaster for Randle, but he had a great return to form last season. The key for Randle and the Knicks is whether he disrupts the flow of their offense. Does his production take away from Jalen Brunson’s rhythm? Can the Knicks collectively find balance to remain successful?

Contract year guy: Immanuel Quickley

We’ll see if an extension gets done for Quickley before the season starts, but he could enter restricted free agency looking to make a ton of money. He’s good enough to be a starter, but he’s a super sub as a backup. Can Quickley make it obvious he shouldn’t come off the bench anymore?

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Big question: Is Tom Thibodeau an offense-first coach now?

During his time in Minnesota, the Wolves played bad defense but had a great offense under Thibs. Last season, the Knicks were mediocre defensively and incredible on offense. I’m not sure the offense should take a dip with Brunson’s steady hand running things. Is Thibs fine with this particular imbalance?

Big obstacle: 3-point defense

The Knicks allowed a ton of 3-pointers last season, though they ranked a respectable 12th in 3-point percentage allowed. Was some of their opponents’ inaccuracy luck? The Knicks’ defense could see some regression.

Best-case/Worst-case:

Best: They replicate last season’s energy, find their way back to a top-five finish in the East and reach the second round.

Worst: The scoring isn’t quite there, the defense remains mediocre and guys are just going for themselves as this becomes a Play-In team.

Win total over/under: 45.5

This team should absolutely hit the over on this, but I’m not sure they’ve earned the outright belief to do so.

Prediction: I believe in this team from a regular-season standpoint. I’m saying 48 wins and a comfortable top-six finish in the East

Bounce Passes

Will the Lakers be a great 3-point shooting team now?

How will Khris Middleton change his game with Damian Lillard in town?

Want to feel old? Jason Richardson’s kid committed to Michigan State, and he can fly.

Udonis Haslem’s reaction to Jimmy Butler’s lineup picture from Media Day is priceless.

(Top photo: Ronald Cortes / Getty Images)

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