This topic contains 11 replies, has 9 voices, and was last updated by 
JNixon 16 years, 3 months ago.
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- Posted on: Sun, 02/28/2010 - 8:18am #13375
valentineAs we get closer to the NBA Draft this June you will no doubt hear comparisons of young players to already established NBA players or even now retired NBA greats. On one hand, these comparisons can be helpful. They can give fans a general sense of the way that player plays. On the other hand, crazy comparisons are often tossed around that unfairly amp up expectations.
For example, how often have we heard young players over the years like Harold Miner, Vince Carter, etc. compared to Michael Jordan? It’s almost silly. The only player that has even come close to living up to that comparison is Kobe Bryant, but he has his own unique game that differs from Jordan’s in a number of respects.
Last season the comparison everyone was fixated on was Ricky Rubio and Pete Maravich. Now, let me say very clearly that I’m a fan of Rubio’s game. I actually think he has a chance to be a nice NBA player should he choose to make the leap at some point in the future whether that ends up being with the Minnesota Timberwolves or elsewhere. However, when people advance this comparison I can’t help but think they haven’t really watched Maravich play and don’t really understand his game.
Let’s not forget Maravich was an absolutely prolific scorer when he was the same age Rubio is now. He averaged an astonishing 44.2 points during his four-year career at LSU, and this was without a three-point line. That mark is still the highest mark in the history of NCAA men’s basketball. Rubio, on the other hand, isn’t even averaging double figures this season in Europe.
Again, that’s not to imply I don’t like Rubio as a player because I actually like his game. But comparing Rubio to Maravich because he has floppy hair and makes a few flashy passes on videos that get out to the masses is like comparing my writing to the writing of greats like Grantland Rice, Ben Bradlee, or Seymour Hersh.
So when people begin to toss names around as points of comparison as draft coverage begins to intensify over the next couple of months, remember to take those comparisons with a grain of salt.
Read more: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=15439#ixzz0gr6P9qRk
0 - Posted on: Sun, 02/28/2010 - 8:59am #261274
MkadozaParticipantQuite frankly, anyone who sees a comparison and think that how their career will play out is foolish. Comparisons are merely tools to get an idea of who the scout sees as a similar player. For example, everytime I see Evan Turner, I think Lebron James. Very different body types, and by no means am I trying to insinuate he will be as good as Lebron, but the way they play are extremely similar. Underdeveloped off the ball, excellent handling, supurb court vision, good help defense, attacks the basket and draws contact extremely well. Thats all a comparison is good for, nothing more. I really think people put way too much emphasis on them. Just read the scouting report, strengths and weaknesses, and see how accurate that information is (on point the vast majority of the time).
0 - Posted on: Sun, 02/28/2010 - 9:06am #261279
quinceyhodgesyeah i agree. i think some players get unfairly compared to stars. like someone who compares a player to kobe when they are more comparable to jr smith. or compare them to derrick rose when hey are more like jordan farmar. some of the comparisions are way too high especially when you look at the history of how players in the past turn out to be int here careers
0 - Posted on: Sun, 02/28/2010 - 9:15am #261283
butidonthavemoneyMkadoza is right. People take comparisons too seriously.
0 - Posted on: Sun, 02/28/2010 - 11:25am #261342
OrangeJuiceJonesParticipantI agree 100%. I’ve always used comparisons to give an example as to whom a player resembles in terms to playing style. I can’t believe people would be dumb enough to think that all of these comparisons that they hear are related to career projection.
0 - Posted on: Sun, 02/28/2010 - 1:34pm #261367
WizardofOzParticipantJust because a player is compared to someone great doesn’t mean he’ll be as great as them, it just means that they have the same style of play as the player they’re being compared to.
0 - Posted on: Sun, 02/28/2010 - 3:20pm #261429
Disrespect_MeParticipantI always thought Evan Turner played like a mini-Lebron on the college level.
mini-Lebrons:
Derrick Rose
John Wall
Tyreke Evans
Russell Westbrook
Evan TurnerBrandon Roy
Andre Iguodala
Dwyane Wadeanyone I’m forgetting?
0 - Posted on: Sun, 02/28/2010 - 3:40pm #261444
the I in winParticipantI wouldn’t say Roy is a mini lebron, his game is based on his jumper which i can tell you isn’t lebron.
Also hard to say that about wade, they do play similar but they came in at the same time and one could argue lebron is a bigger wade.
0 - Posted on: Sun, 02/28/2010 - 3:45pm #261447
Disrespect_MeParticipantWhen Roy is at his best he is using his crossover to get into the lane and draw fouls IMO.
yes he can also hit the jump shot and thats what makes him so dangerous but he is at his best when he uses his shifty handle to get into the lane0 - Posted on: Sun, 02/28/2010 - 3:48pm #261448
Disrespect_MeParticipantLebron and Wade get compared to Jordan because they have superior athleticsm and Fundamentals
Not all great players superior athletes. But all great players have great fundamentals.
0 - Posted on: Sun, 02/28/2010 - 4:15pm #261471
knicksfan7ParticipantI hate making comparisons because to be each player is its own individual. Though, I may say a part of a player’s game reminds me of an NBA-great.
0 - Posted on: Sun, 02/28/2010 - 4:20pm #261476
JNixonParticipantI use comparisons just to give the best visual/mental idea of how someone plays, and how they may turn out in the future. Most times I try to make it a best case scenario
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