NBA Draft Prospects Player Comparisons

Hey much props for the player comparisons by both Paul and Alexboii. I gotta say that Rubio does have that flair and unique style at the point, yeah I agree that Rubio might not put superb points similar to Maravich's own, but I see something special about this prospect. However, like Alexboii pointed out, "he has to prove it at the professional level". Playing at such a young age on an elite level in the Euroleague, Rubio has so much hype around and he earned awards as well. Quick and flashy, I noticed in the Olympics that when he was guarded by CP3, he was quicker than Paul. He tends to switch up his gear whenever the opposition gets comfortable and this gets them off guard. I appreciate reading you guys' opinions on the game. Hey Paul and Alexboii, cheers from the islands!

Cheers for the comments. I appreciate the comments from someone who clearly knows a lot about the game. I think the difficulty when doing this is that people compare players in 3 ways. (1) Level of success. (2) Style (3) Stats.

When looking at Rubio, I agree, he'll never be the scorer Maravich was. But he'll play with that style whilst having the fundamentals Maravich had. I expect Nash-style numbers. I've followed Rubio a lot in Europe (I'm from the UK) and he's the real deal. Not sure he'll ever get above 15 points.

I think Jennings has better PG instincts than Bayless, but I think he'll enter the league as a scorer, not a PG. At the moment he's playing sparkplug, instant offence and I don't think any team will trust him at PG.

DeRozan's comparison with Green was simply a case of the level of success I predict for him, rather than his game. He's got elite athleticism, but I simply don't think he'll put his game together.

Clark: I feel he's got the game where he'll go for stretches like a potential All-Star. He's got a great skill-set, but I feel he'll be too passive to be more than a strong 6th man.

Mullens: Mullens hasn't got the skill-set of Miller as of yet. But I see in him the potential to develop a strong all-round offensive game. He didn't get the opportunity to show any skills this season, especially since he seemed a bit lost this season, but I have a strong feeling he will develop these. Think his jumper will always be a weaker, but I can see him adding strong passing skills.

Ok post Paul. I did not think, personally last year's draft was a weak one. But I was surprised to see the fast success of Brook Lopez. Westbrook, eh he still needs to improve his shooting percentages while playing PG. He probably would have shot respectable numbers playing off the ball, so we'll see how year 2 goes fro him as he continues to learn the lead guard position. As for some of your comparisons; Rubio: Not exactly sure where this Maravich comparison is warranted other than the floppy hair and flashy passing. Maravich was an incredible scorer, Rubio has yet to prove that on a professional level. If he does develop that, it will probably take longer than him turning 20. Jennings: Does not really play like Bayless. Jennings has better passing instincts than Bayless and jacks up too many jumpers, while Bayless is an attack the basket, classic combo guard type of guy. Both though have inconsistent scoring marks due to inconsistent playing time, though. DeRozan: Again, not sure where this comparison takes steam. Yeah, both him and Gerald Green are super athletes with unlimited potential, but play differently. Green likes to float on the perimeter, while DeRozan is a mid-range scorer, who will actually use his athleticism. Earl Clark: Is more athletic than Diaw, not quite the passer. And we'll see is Clark can be the post player, both on offense and defense that Diaw is. BJ Mullens: Brad Miller? Other than both being white, and not particularly good on defense, I don't see how this is a real comparison. Miller has a perimeter jump shot, with above average passing skills. Mullens is an elite athlete at his height, without any real skills at this point.
All in all, I do see this draft being a solid role player draft, while having high expectations for the PG's in this draft.

There seems to be 2 opinions. Either this is the best draft class of all-time or the worse since 2000 (Martin, Miles, Miller, Mihm & Crawford). I tend to be in the middle. Last year's draft was supposed to be weak, but Lopez, Westbrook & Mayo made this a much deeper draft than expected. I expect this draft to be no different. Predicted stats are for a couple of years time.

Griffin: Boozer/Bogut (18-11-3)

Rubio: Maravich (If he comes over this year I expect similar numbers initially to Livingston, but by 20 he'll be a star) (14-4-9)

Thabeet: Mutombo (12-10-2 blocks)

Harden: Poor man's Paul Pierce (18-5-3)

Jennings: Talented, but too wild. Jerryd Bayless (15-3-3)

Jordan Hill: Not seen enough to comment.

Tyreke Evans. Jamal Crawford. Talented, but will never make a team successful. (14-4-4)

Stephen Curry: Will thrive in the right system. Mahmoud-Abdul-Rauf. (18-3-5)

Demar DeRozan: Gerald Green. Good late season surge, but his attitude will determine whether he makes it. Could be a star. (12-4-2)

Earl Clark: Boris-Diaw. All the tools, but I don't think he'll ever put them together. (10-4-3)

BJ Mullens: Brad Miller. Will never be a defensive force but has the talent. Can he put it together? (12-7-4)

DeJuan Blair: Paul Millsap. I think everyone's agreed with this. (11-10-2)

Apologies, don't know how to space it onto separate lines.

No prob man. Ha ha, yeah all of us have our off in-game comparisons for these NBA prospects. Well, these rooks each have their own game that makes each of them distinctive players. But ya, that's true bout being receptive to others' opinions on players, its all good. Yup, the NBA, where amazing happens.

I admit I read your thing quickly and thought you said Henderson is a "better shooter" and not a "bit shorter." And I'm not being defensive of my picks. I'm willing to listen to others opinions on this topic and I have seen the reasoning behind their comparisons. It was just you two were quite off based off in-game performances, in my opinion. And of course, we'll see how they'll play in the NBA, where amazing happens.

YOOOUUUU!! Whoa, TellEM! You are pretty much defensive about your stuff! I don't mean to offend your in-depth comparisons. Ha ha, I meant that Griffin is pretty quick for his position, similar to LeBron, but don't get it twisted they have each completely players with completely different games. Ya, it would be absurd saying that Griffin is Lebron. But I did not say that. With Henderson, I did not say that he was a better shooter. I emphasized that he is versatile but a bit undersized. Ha ha, I think that Rubio-Calderon was funny. Ya, they're both Spanish. Hey, its still early to determine how each player will perform in the NBA. Gotta wait to see how they fare in the pros.

So Tony, you basically think this is going to be the all-star draft, better than the '03 one? Please, your comparisons are ridiculous, and that's all there is to say about that. Did we not forget Griffin played in college last season? This Lebron athleticism stuff is stupid, and Creative saying he's "Lebron at PF" is just as absurd cause he will end up proving to be on the smaller side for PF's by measurement day. Gerald Henderson comparison to Tayshaun Prince = Weird, period. Henderson can shoot at mid-range, but his ability to stretch his range to 3 is his weakness. How is he the better shooter? Rubio is nothing like Calderon; Calderon is a fundamentals, high shooting percentage guy, average defense whereas Rubio is a flash, suspect shooting, pesky defender. Just because they're both Spanish means nothing. Only thing Thabeet and Hibbert have in common is they're are both slow operating, but Hibbert's offense is further along than his defense, and Thabeet is the exact opposite. Oh gosh, and this Suton comparison. He made 21 college 3's all year. Okur would make that many NBA 3's in 10 games. Gonna say Suton spent more time in the paint? One of the worst finishers in the paint for a big man. Former Spartan Paul Davis had far superior stats in college, and he hasn't exactly established himself in the NBA. Still not convinced? He will be 24 by the start of the season, proving he has less time to improve in his development, if he can even develop.

Blake Griffin I believe reminds me of a Lebron James at PF instead of SF. Why you ask? Well, he embodies an above average speed which most NBA players lack at PF, athleticism and strength is present as well. He has a knack for scoring in the paint and can hit mid range jumpers. I think Griffin can be a combo forward, but I see him playing more at PF. Coaches could utilize his speed to put players guarding him at a disadvantage. Stephen Curry, I agree is in comparison with Agent Zero's scoring prowess, but I agree he is less explosive at the point. He needs improvement in making good decisions in passing the ball and spearheading plays. James Harden, ha ha. I see why he was compared to John Salmons. Harden's beard reminds me of Salmons. But he does plays similar to Salmons who can score at will. Blair, undersized and strong. Similar to Utah's Millsap. Henderson to me is quite versatile, reminds me of Prince but minus Prince's defensive abilities and is a bit shorter. Rubio is more of a Calderon but who is more on the offensive side. Rubio is explosive as well and is quite quick. Thabeet is similar to Roy Hibbert in a way, stiff, but Thabeet is much more talented. He can score and defend. But defending is his strong point. Athleticism is his downside. Goran Suton is similar to Memo. He can stretch the defense with scoring from outside. Can wait till the Draft.

blake griffin:carlos boozer with lebron's athleticism

rubio:nash/calderon

t-will:andre iguodala

jennings:iverson (from 96-2006)

chase budinger:rudy fernandez

johnny flynn:stephon marbury

tyreke evans:tracy mcgrady

jeff teague:gilbert arenas

jordan hill:jermaine o'neal

bj mullens:chris anderson

aj abrams:smaller aaron brooks

earl clark:boris diaw meets jeff green

austin daye: homeless mans chris bosh lol

demar derozan:vince carter

stephen curry:nash/less explosive arenas/bibby lol