In an exclusive episode of Podcast P with Paul George, Mikal Bridges made a guest appearance. They spoke about everything that is going on in the NBA world, including Bridge’s captivating journey through his NBA career, from his Draft day experience where he was traded away from his hometown team, to his eye-opening Summer League encounter with the speed of play.
Bridges and George even mentioned their top picks out of the youngsters in the NBA currently who possess the ability to make it to the NBA All-Stars. But while discussing their top picks, who would make it to the NBA All-Stars, they did not mention the first draft pick of 2023, which has shocked the NBA audiences.
Bridges and George’s top picks from the young talent
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Mikal Bridges, the versatile star of the Phoenix Suns, brings with him a journey that is nothing short of awe-inspiring. From being a role player in Phoenix to finding his wings with the Brooklyn Nets, Bridges showcases the resilience that defines an NBA superstar.
Traded to the Nets in exchange for Kevin Durant, Bridges found the perfect platform to showcase his talent and rise to prominence. With his exceptional skills as a guard and small forward, he has solidified his position as one of the league’s brightest stars, captivating fans and critics alike. Bridges was even the finalist for Teammate of the Year and finished second to Jrue Holiday.
But then there was a discussion on the podcast between Bridges and George on their starting lineup of promising young players who have yet to become NBA All-Stars. They began by selecting their point guards, with Bridges opting for Anfernee Simons and George choosing Bones Hyland.
Moving on to shooting guards, Bridges selected Talen Horton-Tucker, while George struggled with a choice and chose Moses Moody. Then for the small forwards, Bridges picked Trey Murphy and George went with Jaden McDaniels. And lastly, for the centers, Bridges selected Nicolas Claxton and George chose Jaren Jackson Jr..
As they made their picks for the future NBA All-Stars, there was one player who was missing from both of their lists, which was very peculiar. That player was the first pick in the NBA Draft 2023, the 7’4 Giant, Victor Wembanyama.
Victor Wembanyama’s impact on the NBA
In a historic moment for international players, the San Antonio Spurs selected the towering 7-4 forward-center as the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft. This makes him the 14th international player to achieve this distinction but the first without playing basketball at a U.S. college since Andrea Bargnani in 2006.
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Even before stepping foot onto an NBA court, Wembanyama has already become a prominent figure in the league. NBA data revealed that he ranked No. 8 among the most-viewed players on NBA social media during the 2022-23 season, accumulating an astonishing 350 million views.
Wembanyama has surely created a name for himself. Even then, Bridges or George did not consider him valuable to their team.
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Do you think they don’t see potential in him? Let us know why you think that Wembanyama was not on either of the players’ lists. And share your own picks in the comments!