Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images Sometimes height is what makes NBA big men great. What if Wemby was just the average NBA height? When people talk about how good a particular player would be if he were a different height, they normally make the player taller. “Can you imagine if Player X was 6’7” instead of 6’1?” And I’m sure everyone has been told, “I would have played basketball but I wasn’t tall enough,” — something that is rarely true. Indeed, one of the best players in my Sunday morning game, which has a bunch of talented big guys, is 5’7” but pretty much unstoppable, even by those talented big guys. For this post, I am going in a different direction. How good would Victor Wembanyama be if he was 6’7” instead of 7’4”? Victor is one of the few big guys about who we can legitimately ask this question. Most big guys are good because they are tall. Victor is good because he is good. He is great because he is good AND tall, which is why I always describe him with words like agile, smart, quick, mobile, driven and well-rounded. Traditional bigs like Shaq, Yao Ming and even the Great Tim Duncan did not have enough of a well-rounded game to have been NBA players at 6’7”. Shaq and TD did not shoot well enough, and Yao, though a good shooter, was not nearly skilled or mobile enough. Even someone as mobile as Kareem would have issues — his signature sky hook would not be nearly as effective if not actually released from the sky. Current talented big guys like Joel Embiid, Karl Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert would have their own issues — Embiid would not be able to defend a permitter player, Towns would be too slow, and Gobert doesn’t have any offensive skills. Nikola Jokic at 6’7”? Hmm. I’ll let the Nuggets writers handle that one. For Victor, I have my own thoughts, but I decided to rely on the wisdom of the masses. In this case, the “masses” are friends whose basketball opinions I respect. Several are ex-college players (including guys I coached or play with now) and others just have a fine eye for the game. I asked each one the following question: If you are getting this, I respect your opinion about basketball related matters (and perhaps less important things too). Question of the day – Would Victor Wembanyama still be an NBA level talent if he was 6’7” instead of 7’4’’? You can define “NBA level talent” as you wish. (Legal disclaimer: By responding, you might just be quoted in Pounding the Rock.) Here are the responses I received. You will see that most, but not all, decided that the answer is yes. Just for fun, we will have a poll at the end. (Nate Silver would not be pleased with this poll that only asks Spurs fans instead of a “random sample”, but 1. Nate is busy with other stuff, 2. this is my poll, and 3. I happen to like Spurs fans.) I will start with the negative responses from my crew. Hang in there, they get more positive. Trevor Answer is no. The top 6’7 NBA players either play elite perimeter defense (OG Anunoby, Herb Jones, Scottie Barnes), are exceptionally talented/skilled offensively (Luka, LaMelo, Middleton) or are both (Butler and Kawhi). The rest are interchangeable role players for the most part. More importantly, Victor’s Fadeaway and Jump shot percentages are abysmal—if you take away his height, I would expect those percentages drop even further putting more pressure on him to make the three. Alley Oop and dunk percentage would also drop. Stopper So, he had the same vertical, the same lateral movement, the same athleticism, the same jump shot, a wing span appropriate for a 6-7 player? NO – his length and wing span are what make him special. Henry He would have to be 6’9” to be Jaden McDaniels. Steve C If he were 6’7”, which is still taller than average but more common in the NBA, some aspects of his game would undoubtedly be affected. Skill set: if he retained his skills of shooting, dribbling and hoop IQ he would certainly be able to play... one note, he would have to be able to shoot of the dribble much better. Athleticism: does it get worse, no way. I think he gets stronger and a bit thicker in the smaller frame. Adaptability: he now would have to play and guard taller players... I’m sure he could guard, 6”3 - 6-10... but with the thicker, taller players, like now, he needs more muscle weight on him Development: his work ethic is unparalleled for a man his size, his age and lack of weight. So, here’s my one sentence take... He is a once in a lifetime talent at his size now. Not sure he would be as highly thought of, but I know he would quickly adapt because of his intense work ethic and complete passion for being the best. He would be a starter in the NBA and hopefully still on the Spurs! Captain Kirk Hi Lee! My answer is yes, still an NBA level talent, but a far less impactful one, at least early in his career. I think his mentality would allow him to continually improve his skillset and make meaningful contributions. Corey It’s an interesting question. In formulating my response, though, I also concluded that it’s an unfair question. By unfair, I mean unfair to Wemby. If he weren’t eighteen feet tall, he would have been honing other skills more appropriate to his diminished height, in this case 6’7”. MJ was supposedly 6’6”. I don’t think Wemby has anywhere close to the skills MJ had on offense or, especially, on defense. But that’s where the unfair part of the question comes in. If Wemby were 6’7” he would have been using his talents to develop the necessary defensive skills for that height. That said, I still don’t think he’s close to MJ on either side of the ball. But your question isn’t would he be MJ but would he be an NBA level talent. I only offer the MJ analysis as kind of the upper limit. As to being an NBA level talent, I don’t think there’s any question he would be, he just wouldn’t be the franchise player he is at 7’4”. Ryan You asked me if Victor Wembanyama would be in the NBA if he was only 6’ 7’, and my answer is YES, of course, he would. He has a high basketball IQ, he’s got PG skills and a great jump shot. Plus, Euro players are known for their great basketball fundamentals, so I don’t see how he would be any different. That’s my answer and I’m sticking to it. Marc C If he’s still the same level as an athlete at 6’ 7” then yes, he’s in the NBA. Tony NBA level talent is someone who could stick with a team, whether drafted or not, and stay on a roster for more than a year. With that definition, Wemby at 6’7’’ would absolutely qualify. First of all, he possesses skills that would translate: foot speed, a shooter’s eye, and a basketball mind. And the first two would be exponentially enhanced at 6’7”. A prototype 3 and D wing. And, even with his 7’4” physical gifts, he obviously has a work ethic that allowed those gifts to flourish; he didn’t just fall out of bed and become the player he is. That work ethic would have carried him to the NBA.” Tony is a guy I played college basketball with, and he remains a good friend. When I got his answer, I told him that his answer — all of it — was exactly how I would have responded. I might have added one thing — Victor is still only 20 and will only get better. No one has ever peaked at 20. How do you respond? Also feel free to add some analysis in the comments section.