[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

Of course, playing the comparison game is tough but I think it’s fun to predict how good a player can be and how bad they can end up.

Let me know what comparisons I am way off on and which I’m fairly close with, criticism welcomed and encouraged.

Feel free to post your comparisons as well.

Note: all of these comparisons are in their prime, unless they’re young, then it’s for their current skill-level. (i.e. Markieff Morris and Derrick Williams)

Aaron Gordon

• Worst case: Derrick Williams
• Best case: Antawn Jamison / Kenneth Faried
• Most likely: Markieff Morris

Noah Vonleh

• Worst case: Ed Davis
• Best case: Al Harrington / Serge Ibaka
• Most likely: Tristan Thompson

Marcus Smart

• Worst case: Jarrett Jack
• Best case: Deron Williams
• Most likely: Chauncey Billups

Dante Exum

• Worst cause: Shaun Livingston
• Best case: Penny Hardaway
• Most likely: Evan Turner

Julius Randle

• Worst case: J.J. Hickson
• Best case: Chris Webber
• Most likely: Paul Millsap

Jabari Parker

• Worst case: Caron Butler
• Best case: Paul Pierce
• Most likely: prime Joe Johnson

Andrew Wiggins

• Worst case: Desmond Mason
• Best case: Paul George
• Most likely: Andre Iguodala

Joel Embiid

• Worst case: Michael Olowokandi
• Best case: Hakeem Olajuwon
• Most likely: Roy Hibbert / Andrew Bynum

[Mr. ChicagoParticipant]

I like how you set this up (best case, worst case, most likely). Overall, great analysis, and I think i see where you were going with each prospect.

I disagree with a few, and agree with a few:

I really like the three you laid out for Aaron Gordon. I am not as high on him as most, and agree with your assessment. I just wonder about his ability to shoot the basketball. He is an excellent athlete, but he is going to need to get some sort of midrange/free-throw shooting ability. It will take a lot of work, and he has shown nothing that says he will pick that up. I can definitely see some sort of Faried Clone, flying around creating havoc.

I disagreed with the Julius Randle assessment. I can’t see even in the ‘best’ case scenario he is in the ballpark of Chris Webber. Chris Webber was a cerebral passer and could dissect opponents from the high, mid, and low post. I just don’t think Randle is that type of player. I see him more in the Zach Randolph "brusier in the post mold."

In regards to Jabari Parker, I really like the Butler/Pierce (best case/worst case) – however don’t really see the prime Joe Johnson. Are we talking Pheonix (more of an outside shooter) or Atlanta (Star on a middle of the road playoff team). I think with Parker’s side he is going to be an excellent rebounder, and I think that is one thing that really separates him from the pack. I just don’t think that was ever a part of Johnson’s game.

And for Marcus Smart – my most likely is Emmitt Smith (dude does not look like a basketball player). He is a beast. He is a total question mark in my mind, haha.

Like i said, great analysis – this is just my two cents.

 

[Mr. ChicagoParticipant]

I like how you set this up (best case, worst case, most likely). Overall, great analysis, and I think i see where you were going with each prospect.

I disagree with a few, and agree with a few:

I really like the three you laid out for Aaron Gordon. I am not as high on him as most, and agree with your assessment. I just wonder about his ability to shoot the basketball. He is an excellent athlete, but he is going to need to get some sort of midrange/free-throw shooting ability. It will take a lot of work, and he has shown nothing that says he will pick that up. I can definitely see some sort of Faried Clone, flying around creating havoc.

I disagreed with the Julius Randle assessment. I can’t see even in the ‘best’ case scenario he is in the ballpark of Chris Webber. Chris Webber was a cerebral passer and could dissect opponents from the high, mid, and low post. I just don’t think Randle is that type of player. I see him more in the Zach Randolph "brusier in the post mold."

In regards to Jabari Parker, I really like the Butler/Pierce (best case/worst case) – however don’t really see the prime Joe Johnson. Are we talking Pheonix (more of an outside shooter) or Atlanta (Star on a middle of the road playoff team). I think with Parker’s side he is going to be an excellent rebounder, and I think that is one thing that really separates him from the pack. I just don’t think that was ever a part of Johnson’s game.

And for Marcus Smart – my most likely is Emmitt Smith (dude does not look like a basketball player). He is a beast. He is a total question mark in my mind, haha.

Like i said, great analysis – this is just my two cents.

 

[3 No Biases 3Participant]

I swear if I see one more "Randle is a bruiser/Randolph post player" comment.  

Watch the damn guy play!  

He will be an inside/outside slasher in the league…nothing like Randolph.  I thought Blake Griffin was the best ball handling power forward I’ve seen til Randle and Randle’s handle is much better.  

An accurate comparison is Michael Beasley/Terrence Jones but with 20+ and 10 potential.

 

[3 No Biases 3Participant]

I swear if I see one more "Randle is a bruiser/Randolph post player" comment.  

Watch the damn guy play!  

He will be an inside/outside slasher in the league…nothing like Randolph.  I thought Blake Griffin was the best ball handling power forward I’ve seen til Randle and Randle’s handle is much better.  

An accurate comparison is Michael Beasley/Terrence Jones but with 20+ and 10 potential.

 

[Land of GrantParticipant]

 I don’t like the Gordon comparisons, none of them take into account his very good defense. I like Faried, but with great D.

I like the Randle comps though, spot on.

  Mine go a lil summin like this:

Aaron Gordon:

Worst Case: Jan Vesely

Best Case: Skinny Blake Griffin with defense?

Most likely: Thomas Robinson with defense

 

 

 

Noah Vonleh:

Worst Case: Dante Cunningham

Best Case: Athletic Kevin Love (!)

Most Likely: Tristan Thompson, but more banging

 

 

 

Andrew Wiggins:

Worst Case: Nic Batum

Best Case: Better Paul George

Most Likely: Paul George

 

 

 

Dante Exum:

Worst Case: Big Johnny Flynn

Best Case: Russell Westbrook

Most Likely: Tyreke Evans

 

 

 

Marcus Smart:

Worst Case: Kyle Lowry

Best Case: Gary Payton

Most Likely: Kyle Lowry

 

 

 

Joel Embiid:

Worst Case: Derrick Favors

Best Case: Hakeem

Most Likely: Anthony Davis

 

 

 

Jabari Parker:

Worst Case: Jeff Green

Best Case: Paul Pierce

Most Likely: Rudy Gay (in a slightly down year)

 

Didn’t bother doing Randle bc I thought you had it down pat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Land of GrantParticipant]

 I don’t like the Gordon comparisons, none of them take into account his very good defense. I like Faried, but with great D.

I like the Randle comps though, spot on.

  Mine go a lil summin like this:

Aaron Gordon:

Worst Case: Jan Vesely

Best Case: Skinny Blake Griffin with defense?

Most likely: Thomas Robinson with defense

 

 

 

Noah Vonleh:

Worst Case: Dante Cunningham

Best Case: Athletic Kevin Love (!)

Most Likely: Tristan Thompson, but more banging

 

 

 

Andrew Wiggins:

Worst Case: Nic Batum

Best Case: Better Paul George

Most Likely: Paul George

 

 

 

Dante Exum:

Worst Case: Big Johnny Flynn

Best Case: Russell Westbrook

Most Likely: Tyreke Evans

 

 

 

Marcus Smart:

Worst Case: Kyle Lowry

Best Case: Gary Payton

Most Likely: Kyle Lowry

 

 

 

Joel Embiid:

Worst Case: Derrick Favors

Best Case: Hakeem

Most Likely: Anthony Davis

 

 

 

Jabari Parker:

Worst Case: Jeff Green

Best Case: Paul Pierce

Most Likely: Rudy Gay (in a slightly down year)

 

Didn’t bother doing Randle bc I thought you had it down pat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DukeDaSquadParticipant]

 Because all the people you compare him too other than Kenneth faried are substantially better shooters than Aaron Gordon who is definitely in a slump right now, but brings very little offensively compared with the comparisons you have for him. 

Also I get the Andrew wiggins with Andre iguodala  comparison but iguodala is a much better passer and ball handler than wiggins and is capable of being the floors general on teams that he plays on and I don’t see wiggins doing that in the future

[DukeDaSquadParticipant]

 Because all the people you compare him too other than Kenneth faried are substantially better shooters than Aaron Gordon who is definitely in a slump right now, but brings very little offensively compared with the comparisons you have for him. 

Also I get the Andrew wiggins with Andre iguodala  comparison but iguodala is a much better passer and ball handler than wiggins and is capable of being the floors general on teams that he plays on and I don’t see wiggins doing that in the future

[Lotto StudParticipant]

 Throw Andrew Wiggins/Gerald Green somewhere in the mix.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

 Throw Andrew Wiggins/Gerald Green somewhere in the mix.

[benny15Participant]

I’ll try to put comps for the ones im more familiar with since i havent been able to catch all the games i would have wanted this season.i’ll put a middle ground over a most likely because there are some i believe that may even surpass their best case

 1. Aaron Gordon:

• Worst Case: Stromile Swift
• Best Case: Kenyon Martin
• Middle Ground: Tyrus Thomas(late bull/early bobcat)

2. Marcus Smart

• Worst Case: Dajuan Wagner
• Best Case: Deron Williams
• Middle Ground: Rodney Stuckey

3. Dante Exum

• Worst Case: Shandon Anderson
• Best Case: Gary Payton
• Middle Ground: Tyreke Evans

4. Julius Randle:

• Worst Case: Kenneth Faried
• Best Case: Amare Stoudamire(phoenix days)
• Middle Ground: Paul Milsap

5. Jabari Parker:

• Worst Case: Glen Robinson
• Best Case: Grant Hill(detroit days)
• Middle Ground: Antawn Jamison(early gsw days)

6. Andrew Wiggins:

• Worst Case: Trevor Arriza
• Best Case: George Gervin
• Middle Ground: Shawn Marion

7. Joel Embiid:

• Worst Case: Darko Milicic
• Best Case: Hakeem Olajuwan
• Middle Ground: Tyson Chandler

 

[benny15Participant]

I’ll try to put comps for the ones im more familiar with since i havent been able to catch all the games i would have wanted this season.i’ll put a middle ground over a most likely because there are some i believe that may even surpass their best case

 1. Aaron Gordon:

• Worst Case: Stromile Swift
• Best Case: Kenyon Martin
• Middle Ground: Tyrus Thomas(late bull/early bobcat)

2. Marcus Smart

• Worst Case: Dajuan Wagner
• Best Case: Deron Williams
• Middle Ground: Rodney Stuckey

3. Dante Exum

• Worst Case: Shandon Anderson
• Best Case: Gary Payton
• Middle Ground: Tyreke Evans

4. Julius Randle:

• Worst Case: Kenneth Faried
• Best Case: Amare Stoudamire(phoenix days)
• Middle Ground: Paul Milsap

5. Jabari Parker:

• Worst Case: Glen Robinson
• Best Case: Grant Hill(detroit days)
• Middle Ground: Antawn Jamison(early gsw days)

6. Andrew Wiggins:

• Worst Case: Trevor Arriza
• Best Case: George Gervin
• Middle Ground: Shawn Marion

7. Joel Embiid:

• Worst Case: Darko Milicic
• Best Case: Hakeem Olajuwan
• Middle Ground: Tyson Chandler

 

[King CaluchaParticipant]

 I love what you did here. Jabari Parker as Antawn Jamison from early GSW days… just wow! All of them are down-to-earth comparisons. 

[King CaluchaParticipant]

 I love what you did here. Jabari Parker as Antawn Jamison from early GSW days… just wow! All of them are down-to-earth comparisons. 

[Jr. ROXASParticipant]

 Those were pretty accurate comparisons of Aaron Gordon. Also love the worst case comparison of Darko and the Big Dog one for Parker. Nice.

[Jr. ROXASParticipant]

 Those were pretty accurate comparisons of Aaron Gordon. Also love the worst case comparison of Darko and the Big Dog one for Parker. Nice.

[Memphisboy14Participant]

I don’t think that Andrew Wiggins will be a bad player by anymeans even if he hasn’t exactly set the world on fire in this year. I think that the Tracy McGrady and LeBron James comparisons were waaaay too much to give him so soon. I do think that best case scenario he could be Tracy McGrady and this is absolute best case scenario. I think that the player that Wiggins will most likely become is Andre Igoudola. Nothing wrong with being a very good player but right now I think it’s too soon to say he will be a superstar. 

 

 

 

 

  

[Memphisboy14Participant]

I don’t think that Andrew Wiggins will be a bad player by anymeans even if he hasn’t exactly set the world on fire in this year. I think that the Tracy McGrady and LeBron James comparisons were waaaay too much to give him so soon. I do think that best case scenario he could be Tracy McGrady and this is absolute best case scenario. I think that the player that Wiggins will most likely become is Andre Igoudola. Nothing wrong with being a very good player but right now I think it’s too soon to say he will be a superstar. 

 

 

 

 

  

[kazamParticipant]

I dont know if anyone will agree with me, but I feel as though Julius Randle is almost a Terrance Jones clone. To me, they both use their bodies to bully opponents. Yes Randle isnt nearly as passive as Jones was during his time at Kentucky but I do see some similarities. 

 

[lalailaParticipant]

yes I see it too.. and T-Jones looks like one of the biggest steals of that draft so far..he is around 15/8 since he is getting big minutes and that’s on a team who might be called contenders..

plus Julius still is more athletic more agressive, and looks to be stronger in the future

[lalailaParticipant]

yes I see it too.. and T-Jones looks like one of the biggest steals of that draft so far..he is around 15/8 since he is getting big minutes and that’s on a team who might be called contenders..

plus Julius still is more athletic more agressive, and looks to be stronger in the future

[kazamParticipant]

I dont know if anyone will agree with me, but I feel as though Julius Randle is almost a Terrance Jones clone. To me, they both use their bodies to bully opponents. Yes Randle isnt nearly as passive as Jones was during his time at Kentucky but I do see some similarities. 

 

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

I truly appreciate the feedback everyone!

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

I truly appreciate the feedback everyone!

[JoeWolf1]

 Aaron Gordon

• Worst case: James Johnson
• Best case: Kwahi Leonard
• Middle ground: Marvin Williams

Noah Vonleh

• Worst case: Ed Davis
• Best case: LaMarcus Aldridge
• Middle ground: Antonio Davis

Marcus Smart

• Worst case: Bob Sura
• Best case: Andre Miller
• Middle ground: Alvin Robertson

Julius Randle

• Worst case: Thomas Robinson
• Best case: Larry Johnson
• Middle ground: Tyrone Hill

Jabari Parker

• Worst case: Bonzi Wells
• Best case: Carmelo Anthony
• Middle ground: Jamal Mashburn

Andrew Wiggins

• Worst case: Alec Burks
• Best case: Paul George
• Middle ground: Eddie Jones

Joel Embiid

• Worst case: Larry Sanders
• Best case: Hakeem Olajuwon
• Middle ground: Robert Parish

I’ve never seen Exum play a full game, so I replaced him with…

Gary Harris

• Worst case: James Anderson
• Best Case: Mitch Richmond
• Most likely: Kerry Kittles (pre-injury)

 

[joecheck88Participant]

 May be going back a little too far for some of the people on here. Lol. 

Wiggins needs to work on his ball handling to compare to those guys I think. 

Randle  would have to seriously get a lot better on defense to be Tyrone Hill. 

[joecheck88Participant]

 May be going back a little too far for some of the people on here. Lol. 

Wiggins needs to work on his ball handling to compare to those guys I think. 

Randle  would have to seriously get a lot better on defense to be Tyrone Hill. 

[JoeWolf1]

Wiggins will work on his ball handling, he’s freaking 19, lol 

You’re right, Hill was probably a better defender than Randle ever will be, but I was trying to go for a power forward who cleaned up on the glass.

[JoeWolf1]

Wiggins will work on his ball handling, he’s freaking 19, lol 

You’re right, Hill was probably a better defender than Randle ever will be, but I was trying to go for a power forward who cleaned up on the glass.

[joecheck88Participant]

 Lol. I was probably nitpicking. Nothing wrong with your comparisons. I get the Wiggins comparisons you made. Same with Randle. He has the ability to become a good defender. They’re hard to compare to anyone as their skills are so diverse. It’s all just if because they have a long way to go. 

[joecheck88Participant]

 Lol. I was probably nitpicking. Nothing wrong with your comparisons. I get the Wiggins comparisons you made. Same with Randle. He has the ability to become a good defender. They’re hard to compare to anyone as their skills are so diverse. It’s all just if because they have a long way to go. 

[Tdvols123Participant]

 Agree pretty much with everything, except I fully question how you think Smart’s best case scenario is Andre Miller. I see one similarity off the top of my head and they are both strong.

[Tdvols123Participant]

 Agree pretty much with everything, except I fully question how you think Smart’s best case scenario is Andre Miller. I see one similarity off the top of my head and they are both strong.

[JoeWolf1]

 Aaron Gordon

• Worst case: James Johnson
• Best case: Kwahi Leonard
• Middle ground: Marvin Williams

Noah Vonleh

• Worst case: Ed Davis
• Best case: LaMarcus Aldridge
• Middle ground: Antonio Davis

Marcus Smart

• Worst case: Bob Sura
• Best case: Andre Miller
• Middle ground: Alvin Robertson

Julius Randle

• Worst case: Thomas Robinson
• Best case: Larry Johnson
• Middle ground: Tyrone Hill

Jabari Parker

• Worst case: Bonzi Wells
• Best case: Carmelo Anthony
• Middle ground: Jamal Mashburn

Andrew Wiggins

• Worst case: Alec Burks
• Best case: Paul George
• Middle ground: Eddie Jones

Joel Embiid

• Worst case: Larry Sanders
• Best case: Hakeem Olajuwon
• Middle ground: Robert Parish

I’ve never seen Exum play a full game, so I replaced him with…

Gary Harris

• Worst case: James Anderson
• Best Case: Mitch Richmond
• Most likely: Kerry Kittles (pre-injury)

 

[The Scare Crow RisesParticipant]

David West F Xavier….

[The Scare Crow RisesParticipant]

David West F Xavier….

[LitteringAnd…Participant]

 I like quite a few of these but for me:

Wiggins: 

Best – Dominique Wilinks

Worst – Gerald Green

Likely – Rudy Gay with a conscience/shot selection

 

Also I’ve no idea how you see any Evan Turner in Exum, completely different body type and Exum’s first step is elite, whee as it’s a significant weakness of ET’s. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[joecheck88Participant]

 Think these are perfect other than I am not sure his floor is Gerald Green. Think at worst he is better than Green even through the resurgence as Wiggins will srive from time to time and has a nice spin move. Not sure who though so it works. You have to compare Wiggins to a guy like Wilkins. Scorer rebounder and defender. 

[joecheck88Participant]

 Think these are perfect other than I am not sure his floor is Gerald Green. Think at worst he is better than Green even through the resurgence as Wiggins will srive from time to time and has a nice spin move. Not sure who though so it works. You have to compare Wiggins to a guy like Wilkins. Scorer rebounder and defender. 

[LitteringAnd…Participant]

 I like quite a few of these but for me:

Wiggins: 

Best – Dominique Wilinks

Worst – Gerald Green

Likely – Rudy Gay with a conscience/shot selection

 

Also I’ve no idea how you see any Evan Turner in Exum, completely different body type and Exum’s first step is elite, whee as it’s a significant weakness of ET’s. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Author]

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