The best rookie duo this century

When was the last time two rookies were this good? Victory Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren are incredibly versatile 7-footers forging a new archetype, dominating on defense with guard skills on offense. This detailed film breakdown & scouting report explores their roles this year, their big areas of improvement, and their massive and unique defensive impact as first year players.

Twitter: @elgee35

Find additional Thinking Basketball content on the NBA App, the More Thinking Basketball channel and the Thinking Basketball podcast.

Stats courtesy:
-----
Footage in this video is owned by the NBA and its partners. It is intended for critique and education.

Music by Fair (hairlight)

#ThinkingBasketball

[NotOneToFly]

I think it's super fun that they're also two of the best options for defending each other in the league. Unlike some recent pairs of superstars, it actually makes sense to have them on each other during every OKC/SA matchup. This is gonna be so, so wild to watch!

[coreyshafarman]

Wemby is so good that it makes people forget about Chet, who’s one of the best rookies we’ve had in a long time. Glad to see both of them getting the attention they deserve

[Grumpygrumpygrumpy]

What impresses me about Wemby is when he achieve a stat line similar to MJ, I think, then he said "I bet they did it in a winning effort" there you can tell his competitive genes is natural

[tupacalypse]

MJ and Hakeem thats some tough competition.

[Cindoreye]

If the NBA can find enough 7 footers with this type of coordination and athleticism to create an archetype, I'll be impressed.

[LonelyHoops]

I can’t wait to see Chet in the playoffs and eventually wemby

[FlyWithMe_]

Putting these two randoms over Bennett/Oladipo is a disgrace. Unsubscribed.

[TheFinalEvent]

Perhaps the most fascinating thing with Wemby is how strong his pullup 3 shooting is compared to catch and shoot, he's 123-382 from 3 overall for the season (32.2%) but 61-161 on pullup 3's (37.9%) It's not exactly high volume by any means but it looks like a positive indicator for his shooting potential.

[LaVineMVP]

I love that they absolutely get personal everytime they play each other!

[adammembreno]

It’s crazy, some rivalries feel like destiny. Like there is no other way besides magic vs bird, wemby vs Chet, etc

[diddly]

thank you. this is how the weby/chet conversations should go. they are both phenomenal. we dont have to talk about how one is "trash" and the other is amazing. both are insane

[ethanb]

just have to hope and pray these two stay healthy and we’ll surely have some never before seen displays of skill on the court in the near future

[panaceiasuberes]

Bol Bol has the same physical type as Chet, even taller and more muscular but he can't put those natural gifts to use on the court. It's not just taking bigs and telling them to do this high IQ shots, they need to have an high IQ, discipline and sport intelligence.

[commanderjoj]

I go with what Damien Woody of ESPN said about Wemby and Chet after a game they played: You’ve got 2 aliens nailing crossovers and step back 3’s. An NFL comparison to these 2 would be a 7 foot WR who runs like Tyreek Hill. Or a 325 pound LB who can go sideline to sideline like Ray Lewis. Chet and Wemby should be fun to watch for the next 12-15 years.

[zigguratjones]

I AM IN LOVE WITH BEN TAYLOR (not the referee)

[chadjones]

Greetings from Cape Town 🇿🇦, Love your content brother, keep up the good work.

[jgray]

It's funny how often I've heard that Chet and Victor are what the NBA is going to look like going forward. I mean, yeah, if you can find 7 foot tall hyper skilled athletes, you should probably sign them. But it's not like all the previous 7 foot defensive monsters with guard skills were just getting shut out of the NBA for no reason. It's that there weren't any, and there aren't likely to be many more. The future of the NBA looks a lot more like Anthony Edwards and Jalen Green than it does a sea of 7 foot Kyries or slick shooting Kareems.

[jesustenes]

Aaaand they are both in the west. And so are ja, zion, luka, jdub, shai, antman, sengun... The disparity between conferences is only going to get worse.

[bmillersince]

I’m happy this video exsist, to many ppl tryna put these dudes against one another, to praise one of these 2 usually the other one is getting put down

[AidanXavier]

Alright Chet & Wemby stans here’s an idea! Let’s support both guys, they’re awesome.