[jaysmith1987Participant]

Analyst are saying he was the most hyped player since Lebron and are trying to guess who will be the next most hyped player. I think the next most hyped player will be who ever is number 1 next year. The lebron comparison was overused this year due to the fact it was the 10yr anniversary of his draft class. People said Jabari Parker was best player since Lebron then Wiggins reclassifies and he’s the next great since Lebron. Jabari plays more like a Melo Harrison Barnes and they compared him to Lebron. Every year the number one recruit is given unbelievable hype. Harrison Barnes was compared to Kobe and a little to Jordan. Anthony Davis was compared to Durant out of high school. Shabazz Muhammed was the next Kobe. Im guessing next year theyll say Okafor is the next Olajuwon. The high school hype isn’t going away every one is looking for the next superstar recruit to come in and dominate like Kevin Durant.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

I hear comparisons to Scottie Pippen, but I am not sure about that either. Pippen was more of a complementary player who played stellar defense and locked in.

What if you compare Wiggins to Dr. J as a guy who is an athletic freak, a dunking artist, and a great all-around basketball player who puts butts in the seats. Not on the level of Jordan or LeBron, but still damn good.

Another thing, I haven’t seen a comparison to Dr. J in a while.

So that’s my comparison.

Andew Wiggins is the next Dr. J.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

I hear comparisons to Scottie Pippen, but I am not sure about that either. Pippen was more of a complementary player who played stellar defense and locked in.

What if you compare Wiggins to Dr. J as a guy who is an athletic freak, a dunking artist, and a great all-around basketball player who puts butts in the seats. Not on the level of Jordan or LeBron, but still damn good.

Another thing, I haven’t seen a comparison to Dr. J in a while.

So that’s my comparison.

Andew Wiggins is the next Dr. J.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

It was used is because these guys are the best prospects since LeBron James. It is not even a comparison, it is "since" LeBron James not "as good as" or "like" him. Jabari Parker is tremendously skilled and the #1 player in his class. Kevin Durant was really good, just that a vast majority of pundits felt that Greg Oden was a better NBA prospect. Remember, Durant was incredibly skinny and his athleticism was not out of this world. He could run forever, yet his body was very different than the average 3 man.

Enter Jabari Parker, a guy who goes to the same high school as Derrick Rose and does something Rose did not, play on the varsity team as a freshman. Not only did he play, he started, did well and won a state championship. He continued to do this in each of his next 3 seasons, all the while doing very well for Team USA at the U16 level (and when he had the chance at the U17 level). Jabari’s skill set is advanced, his jumper is incredibly effective and his feel for the game/court vision is very rare. At the high school level, it is hard to see another who stood out as much in these areas since LeBron James.

Than, Jabari got hurt this summer, right after the Sports Illustrated cover that made the claim of his being the best prospect since LeBron James. Andrew Wiggins was healthy and he pretty much killed it. He had a big match-up in the Peach Jam against Julius Randle, with Andrew guarding Julius while Julius did not guard him. Wiggins goes for 27/13 and the win, with Julius going for 15/13. This was around the time where people were really pulling out, "SI got the wrong person on the cover" comments. 

With Wiggins, here is the thing. He has athleticism and speed that are in the highest percentile for his size. Plus, he has an ability to use these to make him a constant factor to contend with. People say he needs to work on his handle, however he can indeed take people off the dribble, with his spin move being a potentially deadly force. He has a developing floater and could become potentially unstoppable due to his combination of height, hops and quickness. Not to mention, he has a definite ability to become just as much of a force on the defensive end. There has not been a prospect with his combination of size/athleticism/ability since LeBron James.

Now, comparing a person "to" LeBron James is different. It is unfair. It is like comparing a player to Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaq or Larry Bird. These players are unique and have such an incredibly rare combination of skills, size and ability that it is unfair to place those expectations on just about anybody. It is unfair to do the same with Kevin Durant at this point as well, because while Andrew and Jabari have nice size, neither of them have the insane height/length and shooting ability of Durant. However, as I pointed out earlier, not a lot of people expected Durant to be a 30 ppg level scorer in high school. 

Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker have this type of hype because both look like bonafide All-Star caliber SF’s. Lets face it, there are not many of them in the league. Plus, the ones who are, like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and Paul Pierce, have led their teams to a nice deal of success. Paul George was a late bloomer, yet will be brought up more and more due to his scenario being an ideal for teams in a similar situation to where the Pacers were when they drafted him. 

So, they bring up LeBron with Andrew Wiggins/Jabari Parker because there really has not been a wing prospects who showed this much promise at the high school level since either of these players. LeBron and Melo have just come close to finishing their 10th season. Someone will need to carry the torch. These two young men will have to pay their dues, will have some great young wings to try and pass, yet both look like possible All-Stars and franchise cornerstones, if not franchise players. Yes, it is a lot to live up to. Still, if you are comparing them to LeBron rather than looking at why his name is being brought up when talking about their significance as prospects, than you are probably misinterpreting what "since" is meant to mean. It is something that brings attention, maybe sells some magazines and gets some clicks. It is not, and would be, an unfair comparison.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

It was used is because these guys are the best prospects since LeBron James. It is not even a comparison, it is "since" LeBron James not "as good as" or "like" him. Jabari Parker is tremendously skilled and the #1 player in his class. Kevin Durant was really good, just that a vast majority of pundits felt that Greg Oden was a better NBA prospect. Remember, Durant was incredibly skinny and his athleticism was not out of this world. He could run forever, yet his body was very different than the average 3 man.

Enter Jabari Parker, a guy who goes to the same high school as Derrick Rose and does something Rose did not, play on the varsity team as a freshman. Not only did he play, he started, did well and won a state championship. He continued to do this in each of his next 3 seasons, all the while doing very well for Team USA at the U16 level (and when he had the chance at the U17 level). Jabari’s skill set is advanced, his jumper is incredibly effective and his feel for the game/court vision is very rare. At the high school level, it is hard to see another who stood out as much in these areas since LeBron James.

Than, Jabari got hurt this summer, right after the Sports Illustrated cover that made the claim of his being the best prospect since LeBron James. Andrew Wiggins was healthy and he pretty much killed it. He had a big match-up in the Peach Jam against Julius Randle, with Andrew guarding Julius while Julius did not guard him. Wiggins goes for 27/13 and the win, with Julius going for 15/13. This was around the time where people were really pulling out, "SI got the wrong person on the cover" comments. 

With Wiggins, here is the thing. He has athleticism and speed that are in the highest percentile for his size. Plus, he has an ability to use these to make him a constant factor to contend with. People say he needs to work on his handle, however he can indeed take people off the dribble, with his spin move being a potentially deadly force. He has a developing floater and could become potentially unstoppable due to his combination of height, hops and quickness. Not to mention, he has a definite ability to become just as much of a force on the defensive end. There has not been a prospect with his combination of size/athleticism/ability since LeBron James.

Now, comparing a person "to" LeBron James is different. It is unfair. It is like comparing a player to Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaq or Larry Bird. These players are unique and have such an incredibly rare combination of skills, size and ability that it is unfair to place those expectations on just about anybody. It is unfair to do the same with Kevin Durant at this point as well, because while Andrew and Jabari have nice size, neither of them have the insane height/length and shooting ability of Durant. However, as I pointed out earlier, not a lot of people expected Durant to be a 30 ppg level scorer in high school. 

Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker have this type of hype because both look like bonafide All-Star caliber SF’s. Lets face it, there are not many of them in the league. Plus, the ones who are, like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and Paul Pierce, have led their teams to a nice deal of success. Paul George was a late bloomer, yet will be brought up more and more due to his scenario being an ideal for teams in a similar situation to where the Pacers were when they drafted him. 

So, they bring up LeBron with Andrew Wiggins/Jabari Parker because there really has not been a wing prospects who showed this much promise at the high school level since either of these players. LeBron and Melo have just come close to finishing their 10th season. Someone will need to carry the torch. These two young men will have to pay their dues, will have some great young wings to try and pass, yet both look like possible All-Stars and franchise cornerstones, if not franchise players. Yes, it is a lot to live up to. Still, if you are comparing them to LeBron rather than looking at why his name is being brought up when talking about their significance as prospects, than you are probably misinterpreting what "since" is meant to mean. It is something that brings attention, maybe sells some magazines and gets some clicks. It is not, and would be, an unfair comparison.

[fliptonnParticipant]

while wiggins probably isnt lebron or jordan i really like the dr. j comparison actually. theyre styles are still pretty different but in terms of what dr. j did i think wiggins can do the same.

the 2014 draft class should go down as one of the best draft classes in the same breathe as 2003, 1996, 1984. its one of those classes that comes along once every decade. we have wiggins, parker, randle, and andrew harrison who all seem to be on the fast track to superstardom. not to mention guys like cauley stein, smart, young, aaron H, GRIII, Seldon and Hezonja who are also probably future all stars.

be prepared to see teams tank this season to get into the lottery. there are some serious game changers even projected in even the late first round next year. also dont be surprised if people trade for picks next year in this years draft.

[fliptonnParticipant]

while wiggins probably isnt lebron or jordan i really like the dr. j comparison actually. theyre styles are still pretty different but in terms of what dr. j did i think wiggins can do the same.

the 2014 draft class should go down as one of the best draft classes in the same breathe as 2003, 1996, 1984. its one of those classes that comes along once every decade. we have wiggins, parker, randle, and andrew harrison who all seem to be on the fast track to superstardom. not to mention guys like cauley stein, smart, young, aaron H, GRIII, Seldon and Hezonja who are also probably future all stars.

be prepared to see teams tank this season to get into the lottery. there are some serious game changers even projected in even the late first round next year. also dont be surprised if people trade for picks next year in this years draft.

[ph90702]

Why do I have a feeling that Andrew Wiggins will be playing for the Los Angeles Lakers?

[ph90702]

Why do I have a feeling that Andrew Wiggins will be playing for the Los Angeles Lakers?

[jaysmith1987Participant]

SF is the most loads position in the NBA a Sf comes out every year that beings excitement. Harrison Barnes Mkg. The list goes on I wonder how Gerald Green would be rated as a prospect if he came out this year instead of 05. He had Wiggins Athleticism with a feathery Jumpshot. Would that one year of college and lottery selection change his fortunes. If people are second guessing the hype on Sf every year Google Lebryan Nash high school. Projected lottery more athletic Ron Arrest one and dine. Reality 3ed year at OK state inconsistent. Every year the number one guy is compared to the all time great its just now the hype for the last 4 yrs is gone to another level. Know every top ten recruit is projected to be an all star.

[jaysmith1987Participant]

SF is the most loads position in the NBA a Sf comes out every year that beings excitement. Harrison Barnes Mkg. The list goes on I wonder how Gerald Green would be rated as a prospect if he came out this year instead of 05. He had Wiggins Athleticism with a feathery Jumpshot. Would that one year of college and lottery selection change his fortunes. If people are second guessing the hype on Sf every year Google Lebryan Nash high school. Projected lottery more athletic Ron Arrest one and dine. Reality 3ed year at OK state inconsistent. Every year the number one guy is compared to the all time great its just now the hype for the last 4 yrs is gone to another level. Know every top ten recruit is projected to be an all star.

[druneave3Participant]

“People said Jabari Parker was best player since Lebron then Wiggins reclassifies and he’s the next great since Lebron.”

People were never comparing Parker to LeBron, just saying best HS player since LeBron. If you argue with that you are crazy. 4 State Championships!

“…then Wiggins reclassifies and he’s the next great since Lebron.”

Again, not being compared to LeBron, just best prospect since. People are not comparing Wiggins to LeBron game/scouting report, but yes, comparisons in terms of athleticism are pretty close. Both are monsters!

Parker and Wiggins, pretty good prospects! Hence the reasons for people saying… Best player(s) since LeBron.

[druneave3Participant]

“People said Jabari Parker was best player since Lebron then Wiggins reclassifies and he’s the next great since Lebron.”

People were never comparing Parker to LeBron, just saying best HS player since LeBron. If you argue with that you are crazy. 4 State Championships!

“…then Wiggins reclassifies and he’s the next great since Lebron.”

Again, not being compared to LeBron, just best prospect since. People are not comparing Wiggins to LeBron game/scouting report, but yes, comparisons in terms of athleticism are pretty close. Both are monsters!

Parker and Wiggins, pretty good prospects! Hence the reasons for people saying… Best player(s) since LeBron.

[ThepessimestParticipant]

….we don’t know on either one. We have not seen enough of either at the next level of competition that let’s us know who these guys are. These so called experts are projecting and guessing. We don’t know how much Wiggins “loves” the game or will work on his game. What experts see is the size and unreal athleticism and “PROJECT” what he will be. Which is the same reason while Nerlens Noel; who does not have 1 post move and just weighed in at 206 pounds as a 6’11 center, is projected to be #1. They are going by “what if” he develops this or that or the other.

At this rate Jabari Parker is the more skilled basketball player with Wiggins having athletic advantages that you simply cannot teach. Wiggins hit the genetic lottery and that is something that is unique to him and only him in this class. He runs like a deer and jumps over the rim. Jabari has an advanced skill set…His body looks a little heavy and as though he hasn’t seen a weight room in his life. “IF” he gets into shape his skill set will be magnified.

But again; I have been on here cautioning against falling into the hype. The OJ Mayo hype was wonderful except that Mayo; while a very good pro, isn’t what he was said to be. The Shabazz hype was great; except the guy who was the next “Kobe” cannot dribble with his right hand and is only like Kobe in that he doesn’t pass very often (sorry couldn’t resist) but can’t touch Kobe’s skill set. Harrison Barnes was also compared to Kobe unfairly. Davis was compared to Duncan and KG… (Davis has grown on me vastly). MKG was overhyped when in fact he is probably more Shane Battier than superstar.

I can go on and on and on.

What we need to realize is that while these kids are incredible the kids are hyped because of marketing. It is now big business to hype high school kids. So this is not to say that Wiggins, Parker, Mayo, etc aren’t great players it’s to say that their feats will be exaggerated so that a media outlet that covers them can sell magazines.

Think about it…..Parker was heralded as the best player since Lebron and 2 weeks later someone else got the same distinction. Why?

Why was Wade, Penny, Grant Hill, Vince Carter, Kobe, McGrady, and Stackhouse and Harold Miner compared to Jordan?

Because comparing them to Jordan forces the viewer to watch.

So I always say; sit back, drink a carpi sun and then see with your own eyes who these players are.

Chad Ford doesn’t know what he is looking at anymore than a lot of us (trust me just read his reports)…. Just watch them for yourself and you will determine for yourself who these guys will be.

So around Dec.- Jan. we will know a lot more about Wiggins than we do today. Today we know that against high school players he is amazing. But so is almost every kid in college.

[ThepessimestParticipant]

….we don’t know on either one. We have not seen enough of either at the next level of competition that let’s us know who these guys are. These so called experts are projecting and guessing. We don’t know how much Wiggins “loves” the game or will work on his game. What experts see is the size and unreal athleticism and “PROJECT” what he will be. Which is the same reason while Nerlens Noel; who does not have 1 post move and just weighed in at 206 pounds as a 6’11 center, is projected to be #1. They are going by “what if” he develops this or that or the other.

At this rate Jabari Parker is the more skilled basketball player with Wiggins having athletic advantages that you simply cannot teach. Wiggins hit the genetic lottery and that is something that is unique to him and only him in this class. He runs like a deer and jumps over the rim. Jabari has an advanced skill set…His body looks a little heavy and as though he hasn’t seen a weight room in his life. “IF” he gets into shape his skill set will be magnified.

But again; I have been on here cautioning against falling into the hype. The OJ Mayo hype was wonderful except that Mayo; while a very good pro, isn’t what he was said to be. The Shabazz hype was great; except the guy who was the next “Kobe” cannot dribble with his right hand and is only like Kobe in that he doesn’t pass very often (sorry couldn’t resist) but can’t touch Kobe’s skill set. Harrison Barnes was also compared to Kobe unfairly. Davis was compared to Duncan and KG… (Davis has grown on me vastly). MKG was overhyped when in fact he is probably more Shane Battier than superstar.

I can go on and on and on.

What we need to realize is that while these kids are incredible the kids are hyped because of marketing. It is now big business to hype high school kids. So this is not to say that Wiggins, Parker, Mayo, etc aren’t great players it’s to say that their feats will be exaggerated so that a media outlet that covers them can sell magazines.

Think about it…..Parker was heralded as the best player since Lebron and 2 weeks later someone else got the same distinction. Why?

Why was Wade, Penny, Grant Hill, Vince Carter, Kobe, McGrady, and Stackhouse and Harold Miner compared to Jordan?

Because comparing them to Jordan forces the viewer to watch.

So I always say; sit back, drink a carpi sun and then see with your own eyes who these players are.

Chad Ford doesn’t know what he is looking at anymore than a lot of us (trust me just read his reports)…. Just watch them for yourself and you will determine for yourself who these guys will be.

So around Dec.- Jan. we will know a lot more about Wiggins than we do today. Today we know that against high school players he is amazing. But so is almost every kid in college.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

^^^

Kobe was as close to Jordan as you are going to get. Penny was great but he got hurt. Same with Grant Hill.
Vince was good, but not a killer. They totally whiffed on Harold Miner but he wasn’t even a top five pick.

I would actually like to see the next Dr. J. Nobody ever compares someone to him. The guy won an MVP award, a title,
had some awesome highlights, and held down the league until Magic and Larry showed up. He was also a great ambassador to the game.

I think I could get used to a Doctor Wiggins.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

^^^

Kobe was as close to Jordan as you are going to get. Penny was great but he got hurt. Same with Grant Hill.
Vince was good, but not a killer. They totally whiffed on Harold Miner but he wasn’t even a top five pick.

I would actually like to see the next Dr. J. Nobody ever compares someone to him. The guy won an MVP award, a title,
had some awesome highlights, and held down the league until Magic and Larry showed up. He was also a great ambassador to the game.

I think I could get used to a Doctor Wiggins.

[aramboneParticipant]

It’s not possible to nail every comparison. Even the SI editors who labeled Lebron ‘The Chosen One’ were undoubtedly hyping him at least slightly beyond what he was likely to develop into.
Mental makeup is pretty tough to project in a 16-20 year old kid. Who predicted Rolando McClain would be out of the league at 24 or whatever?

7 out of 10 kids with Lebron’s gifts would have gone on to become ‘a bigger vince carter’, happy with making all star games and being one of the great dunkers. Probably a busted knee, some weight gain, and a solid career as a jump shot jacking pf like a less accurate Melo.

If Jordan was a junior right now we might be calling him a taller Avery Bradley, if we even heard of him.

Some comparisons are just silly, like harold minor, but unless a kid has a dwight howard or clowning or a menacing self destructive mental makeup, kids with elite gifts are probably deserving of most of these comparisons, as potential upside anyway.

And none of us are checking out high school mix tapes because we’re looking for the next harold minor. We all want to spot the next great one, earlier than the bandwagon.

And if McGrady never got hurt, while Lebron came down with a cronic back, we’d be calling wiggins the next mcgrady, and talking about how silly the ‘chosen one’ sports illustrated lebron cover was.

[aramboneParticipant]

It’s not possible to nail every comparison. Even the SI editors who labeled Lebron ‘The Chosen One’ were undoubtedly hyping him at least slightly beyond what he was likely to develop into.
Mental makeup is pretty tough to project in a 16-20 year old kid. Who predicted Rolando McClain would be out of the league at 24 or whatever?

7 out of 10 kids with Lebron’s gifts would have gone on to become ‘a bigger vince carter’, happy with making all star games and being one of the great dunkers. Probably a busted knee, some weight gain, and a solid career as a jump shot jacking pf like a less accurate Melo.

If Jordan was a junior right now we might be calling him a taller Avery Bradley, if we even heard of him.

Some comparisons are just silly, like harold minor, but unless a kid has a dwight howard or clowning or a menacing self destructive mental makeup, kids with elite gifts are probably deserving of most of these comparisons, as potential upside anyway.

And none of us are checking out high school mix tapes because we’re looking for the next harold minor. We all want to spot the next great one, earlier than the bandwagon.

And if McGrady never got hurt, while Lebron came down with a cronic back, we’d be calling wiggins the next mcgrady, and talking about how silly the ‘chosen one’ sports illustrated lebron cover was.

[aramboneParticipant]

‘Darius Miles (F-G, Los Angeles Clippers)
Height/Weight: 6-9/210
Age: 20
Key 2001 Stats: 9.4 points/g, 5.9 rebounds/g, 1.5
blocks/g, 26 minutes/g
Scouting Report: Despite jumping straight from
high school to the NBA last season, Darius Miles is
ready to start dominating at the highest level. An
explosive athlete with an expansive wingspan, Miles
is cut from the same mold as players such as Tracy
McGrady and Kevin Garnett, in that he can dominate
both in the paint and on the perimeter. As Miles gets
stronger and refines his ballhandling and perimeter
shooting, he will become a player who can play
virtually any position on the floor like T-Mac and KG.
Until this refinement comes, Miles will be expected to
provide energy, rebounding and shotblocking from
the small forward position. That said, it is very
obvious that if Miles continues to work on his game,
he will develop into a true NBA all-star.’

[aramboneParticipant]

‘Darius Miles (F-G, Los Angeles Clippers)
Height/Weight: 6-9/210
Age: 20
Key 2001 Stats: 9.4 points/g, 5.9 rebounds/g, 1.5
blocks/g, 26 minutes/g
Scouting Report: Despite jumping straight from
high school to the NBA last season, Darius Miles is
ready to start dominating at the highest level. An
explosive athlete with an expansive wingspan, Miles
is cut from the same mold as players such as Tracy
McGrady and Kevin Garnett, in that he can dominate
both in the paint and on the perimeter. As Miles gets
stronger and refines his ballhandling and perimeter
shooting, he will become a player who can play
virtually any position on the floor like T-Mac and KG.
Until this refinement comes, Miles will be expected to
provide energy, rebounding and shotblocking from
the small forward position. That said, it is very
obvious that if Miles continues to work on his game,
he will develop into a true NBA all-star.’

[ph90702]

He would have benefited greatly from a year in college.

[ph90702]

He would have benefited greatly from a year in college.

[Ghost01Participant]

I will say, the media is very quick to hype the “best prospect since…”. Greg Oden was definitely looked at as a BIG TIME prospect, and it is true that Parker had a ridiculous amount of hype around him, and Wiggins reclassifies, and now he’s the one who is the best since LeBron. Let’s watch a couple college games with these guys before we make these determinations, PLEASE.

[Ghost01Participant]

I will say, the media is very quick to hype the “best prospect since…”. Greg Oden was definitely looked at as a BIG TIME prospect, and it is true that Parker had a ridiculous amount of hype around him, and Wiggins reclassifies, and now he’s the one who is the best since LeBron. Let’s watch a couple college games with these guys before we make these determinations, PLEASE.

[Author]

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