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🏀 Is Victor Wembanyam the Greatest Prospect Ever?

🏀 Is Victor Wembanyam the Greatest Prospect Ever?

Chris Lesiak
October 26, 2022

Brittney Griner's appeal is denied, KD makes history while Ben Simmons fouls out again, and an update on the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes.

Happy Humpday!

BRITTNEY GRINER

Brittney Griner's Appeal is Denied

Brittney Griner’s unlawful detainment in Russia continues as the WNBA superstar’s nine-year prison sentence was upheld this week. Griner has been detained in Russia for over eight months after Russian authorities claimed to have found vape cartridges with cannabis oil in Griner’s luggage.

The Biden administration released a statement in the wake of this news, condemning Russia and rightly calling Russia’s appeal denial “another sham judicial proceeding.” Griner’s best shot at coming home remains a prisoner swap, but Russia remains uncooperative despite the U.S. making a serious offer for Griner and former marine Paul Whelan.

The only positive thing to come from Griner’s appeal is the update that her pre-trial detention will count toward her expected jail time at 1.5 prison days per day held. This means barring any rescue attempt, Griner will be forced to serve eight years in a Russian jail instead of nine. It's far from the justice she deserves, but it's something nonetheless.

BROOKLYN NETS

KD Makes History & Ben Simmons Fouls Out Again

For one member of the Brooklyn Nets, Monday night was one to remember, and for another, one to forget. Despite losing to the Memphis Grizzlies in a high-scoring affair, Kevin Durant dropped 37 points and officially moved into 20th all-time on the NBA's scoring list. He passed Alex English with 25,614 points and now narrowly trails Vince Carter at 25,728 points.

As for Ben Simmons, who’s still shaking off some rust after missing last season after dealing with mental health struggles and injuries, he’s already thinking about the next game. Simmons fouled out for the second time in three games after getting baited into his sixth foul in a calculated move by Ja Morant.

Simmons ended his night with seven points, eight assists, and three rebounds. Even without scoring the ball, a fully ramped-up Simmons can be a monster on the defensive end of the ball, and for the Nets to have any chance this season, they’ll need him to stay on the court and do what he does best.

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA

An Update on the Victor Wembanyama Sweepstakes

There’s no shortage of teams vying for a shot at the French phenom, Victor Wembanyama, but a few games into the season and some tanking teams are “succeeding” better than others.

The Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs may be in a full-on rebuild, but no one told their players because they’re both a surprising 3-1. Both clubs have some impressive wins under their belts as the Jazz beat the Nuggets and the Pelicans, while the Spurs beat the 76ers. But don't be fooled by these hot starts; there are still several talented and tradeable veterans on both teams who won't be by the end of the season — they’ll find a way to bottom out.

The remaining “top three” teams tanking for Wembanyama are the Pacers, Rockets, and Thunder. While all of these clubs have talented and young centerpieces, there’s simply not enough talent around them to be competitive in the modern NBA, and that’s by design.

Going into the Wednesday night slate, these teams have only won two games between the three of them, with the Thunder going winless and routinely giving some of their better players extra rest. The Thunder, more than any team on this list, have been rebuilding and gathering assets for a franchise player like Wembanyama, and there’s no chance GM Sam Presti doesn’t execute his vision.