[r377Participant]

Anyone got a good comparison for OG Anunoby ?

I see stanley Johnson, even their jumpshot looks the same….

[OhCanada-Participant]

Should be a versatile frontcourt player that can play all forward positions that NBA teams covet. He has great athletisism and physical tools. Tough defensive player and increasing skill. 

I think he will end up being used like Luc Mbah A Moute but with much more offensive polish. He can shoot the three, or attack closeouts. He is much craftier and has good hands.

You guys see that dunk he had against Maryland. Wow.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Though I feel that Stanley Johnson’s shot nor game is all that similar to Anunoby. Johnson had a lower release more consistent release point, Anunoby constantly has that arm that goes to the side. Also, while they both may be tanks, OG is taller and longer. Stanley was 6’5 without shoes (so 6’6.25-6’6.5 in shoes) with a 6’11.5 wingspan measured at the 2015 NBA Draft combine, and I will lean towards his 8’7.5 standing reach that was measured at the Hoop Summit given those two prior measurements. Luckily, got some measurements on OG Anunoby from a great source this summer that he was measured at 6’6.5 without shoes (so 6’7.75-6’8 in shoes) with a 7’2.5 wingspan (not the insane 7’6 one that somehow became a rumor, but still +8"!) and a 8’10.5 standing reach. 

With all of this present, I would feel that a comparison would probably be best with a player with those similar measurements and of course similar game. His measurements are incredibly similar to Kawhi Leonard (whereas Kawhi has a solid 5 inches of wingspan on Josh Jackson, just saying), though games definitely do not line up. When people say "a little Kawhi in his game" (I am looking at you, Chad Ford and apparently whatever scouts he is talking to), they are strictly talking about physical characteristics, and possibly some defensive effect.

One thing that has become pretty clear with Anunoby is he has little ability to create anything off of the dribble. He is pretty much all off of the catch and the cut, along with getting mismatch buckets. While neither Johnson nor Leonard were particularly efficient shooters in college, they did have some game off of the bounce and at least some one-on-one creation ability of note. L.R. Mbah-a-Moute might be a similar prototype, with a small bit less length, though similar role projection. It is honestly pretty difficult to find someone with similar physical characteristics who project as a similar type of combo-forward, but Marvin Williams and Trevor Ariza are a couple that might come to mind with what you might hope OG could provide. My friend Cole Zwicker projects him as a "3&D Versatile Wing", with Trevor Ariza also being in this archetype. While OG has about 35-40 pounds on Ariza when he entered the league, if Anunoby helps a team, it should be in a similar role.

[r377Participant]

There is about an inch difference between Stanley Johnson and Anunoby, but then you compare him to Ariza who is 30-40lbs lighter.

I know 3&D players are the current fad in the NBA at the moment but Anunoby shouldn’t be pigeonholed like this. He is too athletic just to be a spot up 3pt shooter and really isn’t an outstanding shooter. He has had some spectacular dunks. He isn’t a great/knockdown shooter. He only shoots 33% and is awful at the foul line 54% – hardly two traits for a known shooter to have.

A massive 70% of Ariza’s total shot attempts are from 3, while Anunoby’s is almost half of that at only 39% (on par with Stanley Johnson 36%). Ariza is a 12 year pro, starting approx 8 of those seasons. Anunoby can only dream to be this successful as a pro. Right now he is projected to go 10-25 and may be more of a bench guy than a full time 8+yr starter.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

You can focus on the physical characteristics on the similarity of their game. Brought up that beyond the inch of height, there was the three inches difference in wingspan and standing reach. Plus, more importantly, I felt that the role or playing style that Anunoby has is in fact, very different from that of Johnson. Johnson was good in isolation and it behind only transition and spot-up as far as the use of his possessions. Anunoby is actually spot-up, than transition, with so far no points coming for isolation. 0. So, in terms of ball handling, shot creation, vast differences.

Now I will say, I am not a huge fan of comparisons, since you can always find fault with them in some way, be it physically or logistically. I also know that Stanley Johnson is not necessarily setting the world on fire right now. Still, the guy was the 8th pick in the draft and despite being in Stan Van’s dog house, not all is lost. I am not sure I expect him to always be a "bench guy", even if he is for a team sitting on the play-off precipice (better than for a cellar dweller).

Ariza was the 43rd pick in the draft, so safe to say that their were not too many people who thought he would be "pigeonholed" to what my friend deems to be a rather valuable archetype. If you go through his archetypes and find a better one, or feel you have a better one of your own, than by all means slot him in their. Cole currently has him at 9 on his draft board, feeling he could fill a valuable role for a winning team down the line and valuing his defense. While he is not shooting exceptionally well right now, he is still doing a good job overall on a point per possession basis.

Will say, I like the Al-Farouq Aminu comp more than either Johnson or Ariza. I feel that he projects more to Ariza than Johnson in terms of how they are used, though I think in terms of physical characteristics (even if Aminu is slightly longer and again 20 pounds less weight, at least). The other thing was Aminu did not have much long-range ability (even compared to Anunoby) and had superior ball skills. That is where I have problems projecting Anunoby, though I see his value on defense.

Still, I think of all of the comps, the Al-Farouq and even Jerami Grant are closest. Grant did not shoot from deep in college (he was 0-5 from 3 as a sophomore, 6-20 overall in two years), though he got to the line quite a bit. Will say, the best I have heard is Aminu. If Stanley Johnson remains a bench guy, than there could be definite parallels. I know I do not rate Anunoby as a top 10 guy right now, though I do think the archetype he is "pigeonholed" by Cole is actually pretty valuable and I think he has a chance to develop into a good role player.

 

[holefillers1Participant]

 Jerami Grant, Al-Farouq Aminu. OG has limited ball handling but still has the ability to slash and cut to the rim.  Great athlete who would be wise to continue developing his 3pt shot and perimeter D. The more things he can do at the next level the level.

[r377Participant]

Yes, I was also thinking Aminu aswell…

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