[paradigmnParticipant]

Kobi’ Jordan Stephen-Sims (spelled with an "I") is a 6-foot 4 eighth grader from Atlanta, Georgia who seems to have a decent game…to back up his Hall-of-Fame name.

Recently was one of the better players at the 2012 John Lucas Middle School Combine, which is an event that invites 100 of the best 7th & 8th grade middle school ballers in the world.

Like all young players…has a long way to go….but seems to have a nice foundation to work with.

 http://prospect-central.blogspot.com/2012/05/kobi-jordan-stephens-sims-first-name.html

Kobi’ Jordan…imo…that’s a pretty cool name.  It reminds me of a rap from the GZA Genuis called "Fame."  The beat is so-so…but…the creativity of the lyrics…are second to none (imo)

Gza uses the names of famous people in an interesting way…here’s the lyrics:

Verse 1]

They was told not to ride in PATTY’S HEARSE

And stay out of CHARLES MANSION

Took ABRAHAM’S LINCOLN through the TODD BRIDGE expansion

WiILLIS READS a map that marks the spot showin

On his left, GEORGE BURNS a blunt WILLIAM’S HOLDIN’

TYRA BANKED the money that CHAKA CONNED him for

ALICIA KEYED his car for givin’ MELBA MORE

For the REDD FOXX she bought off the block, but thought twice

As DEBORA COCKS the gun cuz she beat KELLY’S PRICE

When ROSA PARKED the truck on the farm that KIM FIELDS

LINDA TRIPPED tryin’ to walk in LAURYN’S HEELS

Water dripped outta FARRAH’S FAUCET in the glass

She was "Superfly", CUTIS MAY FEEL her ass

CHRIS TOOK HER to a show, TED TURNED HER to a hoe

ROBERT (THE RZA) DIGGS the beat, but ain’t feelin’ the flow

But he signed too fast, for 1/2 of JOHNNY’S CASH

NIA LONGED for the album to drop, cameras flashed

TOM SAW HER at the LUCILLE BALL up in the foyer

He confronted RICHARD, PRIOR to hirin’ his lawyer

SUGE’S KNIGHT removed the rook off the board

DON KING was checked and AL SHARPENED the sword [CHORUS]

"Wantin cream, I ain’t wantin fame"

"Fame is the measure"

"Rap celebs"

"The place where stars are born"



[Verse 2]

The SAINTS marched in, KURTIS BLOWING his horn

TOM CRUISED the boulevard, CHRIS ROCKED the song

For the hundred time, they pressed rewind to the beginning

They toast the rhyme, the juice spilled on JOHN’S LINNEN

They took it to ELIZABETH, TELL HER to dry clean

The lone seamstress, who was schemin’ on AL’S GREEN

You know they shoot for the STARS, AND BUCK WILD

Like the kids in the yard who play with JANE’S CHILD

A beautician laced ERYKAH’S BAD DOO

SEAN COMBED through the evidence, just to get a clue

The needle in the haystack, from outta EARTHA’S KITT

Knew the TIGER WOULD kill him, once thrown in BRAD’S PIT

JESSE OWIN’ the money from the weed BUBBA SPARKED

Made his journey seemed far, as he walked in DICK CLARKES

JEFFEREY’S LIONS stuck with a thorn from GEORGE BUSH

PAUL PIERCED the heart, as the crowd pushed

Acting alone… DREW BURIED MORE bones

Of the victims, three blocks from JIM’S BROWNSTONE

They shared the same bowl, he caught NATALIE’S COLD

The producer, threw the butter on ESTHER’S ROLL

NIPSEY WRESTLED him down, got his jaw wide

In a instant, BROOKE SHIELDS him from the gunfire

ANGIE STONES him to death, with those vocals

KEITH SWEAT from the workout, just from runnin’ local [CHORUS] "Wantin cream, I ain’t wantin fame"

"Fame is the measure"

"Rap celebs"

"The place where stars are born"



[Verse 3]

LARRY’S BIRD flew outta NICHOLAS CAGE

JOE TEXTED messages from SATCHEL’S PAGE

BET HE WRITE letters with ink from SEAN’S PEN

Infinite bars, you couldn’t tell where the song end

GLENN CLOSE enough to quickly dub the tapes

RICHARD GEAR ripped, while he was climbin’ BILL GATES

He was a southerner, posin’ as a native NYer

JASON KID took his 1st steps in JIMMY’S WALKER

And stayed on line, chattin’ with rap celebs

Used BERNIE’S MAC to search VERONICA’S WEB

It cost him his life for the advice she gave

Now PETE ROSE lay on VANESSA’S RED GRAVE [CHORUS]

"Wantin cream, I ain’t wantin fame"

"Fame is the measure"

"Rap celebs"

"The place where stars are born"

"Wantin cream, I ain’t wantin fame"

"Fame is the measure"

"Rap celebs"

"The place where stars are born"

[Wavy BagelsParticipant]

You get a 1+ for listening to GZA.

[McDunkin]

So? my name is Moses Shaquille Magic Patterson

Im a 6’3" center in the class of 06…loaded with potential

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

I had a pretty good idea who it was going to be, lol. Also, I think it is "wettin cream, I ain’t wettin fame", plus I think the beat goes well with the track. Chris Tucker to a show, Ted Turner to a ho…..lol, I used to bang this track a lot. Gza is pretty fantastic. Para, any predicts on the release of ESPN’s Top 25 in 2015 today?

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

ESPN 25 breakdown: Karl Towns on top 

May, 24, 2012

May 24

10:38

AM ET

By John Stovall | ESPN.com

 

Here is a look at the top players in the 2015 class.

1. C Karl Towns Jr. (Metuchen, N.J./St. Joseph)
Towns is already one of the best shooters in the Class of 2015, despite being 6-foot-9 and 205 pounds. He is a high-post player who can really stretch the defense with range beyond 20 feet. Towns is also a capable shot-blocker and an improving inside scorer. He is good now but still has a great upside and that combination makes him our No. 1 right now.

2. SF Mickey Mitchell (Plano, Texas/Prestonwood)
He is a strong and skilled small forward who is a solid athlete. The lefty is a very good slasher, scorer and one of the best passers in the class. Mitchell’s jump shot is a little streaky right now, but his overall game makes him arguably one of the top prospects in the class. Some question his upside and it’s important to note he is a major football prospect, but right now he is No. 2.

3. PF Diamond Stone (Whitefish Bay, Wis./Dominican)
Diamond is a quickly-developing, young post player who can score on the low block, rebound and block shots. His improvement over the course of the year was astronomical. He is the best low-post player in the class right now and his future is extremely bright.

4. SG Malik Newman (Jackson, Miss./Calloway)
Newman is a scoring combo-guard who simply puts the ball in the basket. He already has a good midrange game for such a young player and is a solid — though sometimes streaky — shooter with range to 20 feet. At 6-3 and 175 pounds, he has good size and is probably not finished growing.

5. PG Marcus LoVett Jr. (Burbank, Calif./Providence)
LoVett is a quick and skilled scoring guard whose game is reminiscent of a young Brandon Jennings. He already had a 50-point game this season. LoVett can shoot, slash, score, distribute and right now he is the best lead guard in the class.

6. SG Willie Jackson (Athens, Ga./Christian)
He is a super smooth combo-guard who can do it all. He has a good chance to be a big point guard who may be one of the better guards out of Georgia in recent memory.

7. PF Thomas Bryant PF (Rochester, N.Y./Bishop Kearney)
He is a very skilled combo-forward with great length. Some say he is a little similar to a young Kevin Durant at this stage of his development, though he is more of a 4-man right now than a 3. As of now, he is a little more prospect than player but his upside is off the charts. He could explode at any minute.

8. C Skal Labissiere (Memphis/Evangelical Christian Academy)
He is super skilled on the block for such a young player and he reminds me of Tim Duncan with his skill and frame. He is so advanced that it looks like he has been here before. He is very effective on the low block and can step out to 15 feet and hit jumpers. All he needs is strength.

9. C Stephen Zimmerman (Las Vegas/Bishop Gorman)
Zimmerman is a long and tall post player who can score down low with his size and length. He is probably best in the high post because he is a good face-up shooter with range to 19 feet. His upside is limitless.

10. PF Marcus Derrickson (Fairfax, Va./Paul VI)
He is a strong combo-forward who has skill but is best inside 15 feet. He could grow into a skilled 4-man or increase his skill level and be a power 3-man. Either way he will be a player.

11. SG Tyler Dorsey (Los Angeles/Ribet Academy)
He’s a smooth wing who scores with ease and has a chance to be special. Has the "it" factor.

12. PG Hyron Edwards (East Chicago, Ind./Central)
Edwards is a scoring point guard that is super quick. He is tough to keep out of the lane and knows what to do when he gets there. Already has a solid mid range game.

13. PG Isaiah Briscoe (Newark, N.J./St. Benedicts)
He is a strong combo-guard who can do a lot of things on the court. He is never rushed and always under control, Briscoe is also a solid shooter and an effective slasher who uses his strong body to finish in the lane.

14. SG Jalen Coleman (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral)
He is a smooth wing that can score the basketball thanks to his midrange game and range out to 22 feet. He is a little undersized for a 2 but has plenty of time to grow. Coleman can do something that everyone needs — put the ball in the basket.

15. SG Charles Matthews (Chicago/St. Rita)
Charles is a smooth wing guard who already has a lot of elite tools. He can score, shoot and has nice length with a great upside.

16. SG King McClure (Ovilla, Texas/AAA Academy)
He is a strong combo-guard who has solid athletic ability for his age. McClure is probably best as a scorer right now, but is also a very good facilitator. He could develop into a big, strong scoring point guard in the future.

17. PF Horace Spencer (Warminster, Pa./Tennent)
He’s a long and tall combo post who is full of potential. Spencer has all the physical attributes needed to be great. Once he matures into his body, watch out.

18. PF Jarred Reuter (Marion, Mass./Tabor Academy)
He is already a grown man inside and too big and strong for anyone in his age group right now. He is a rebounder and scorer inside 10 feet and as he improves look for his ranking to improve as well.

19. SF Jaylen Brown (Marietta, Ga./Wheeler)
He is an athletic wing who is tremendous in transition. As he improves his skill level, his stock will rise.

20. SF Malachi Richardson (Trenton, N.J./Catholic)
He is a very good shooter who can score from midrange and out to 20 feet. He is good now and has a great upside.

21. SG Kevaughn Allen (North Little Rock, Ark./North Little Rock)
Allen is an athletic wing who is wired to score. He is a streaky shooter but great in transition.

22. PF Elijah Thomas (Rockwall, Texas/Rockwall)
He is a big-bodied post player with great hands and feet. He has the great ability to score and rebound on the low block.

23. PF Daniel Giddens (Marietta, Ga./Wheeler)
Giddens is an athletic big man who runs well and can play well above the rim. He is another post player who simply needs to improve his skill level.

24. PF Trevor Manuel (Lansing, Mich./Sexton)
He is very skilled, long and more of a 4-man now, but projects as a long, athletic 3-man in the future as he continues to progress.

25. PF Ivan Rabb (Oakland, Calif./Bishop O’Dowd)
He is an athletic insider with a motor and an attitude. He’s not very skilled at this point, but gets things done in the paint.

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/ncbrecruiting/national/post?id=2177

 

Karl Towns being #1 is not to surprising, that kid looks like a potential beast. McKeyMitchell must be happy that Mickey Mitchell is #2. Malik Newman being #4 does seem a tad surprising, think he has definitely made a case for being the best 2015 as of right now. Also know McBishopGorman liked Stephen Zimmerman, who checks in at #9.

 

Other notes:

• Tyler Dorsey at #11? Seems sort of low, that kid looks like a gem.
• Horace "LeBron Who?" Spencer at #17. That kid certainly looks the role of a future baller, just sort of needs to grow into his body I suppose.
• No KeJuan Johnson or Aaron Holiday? Hmm.
• These are all early and preliminary. I am sure by the end of the summer these rankings will have shifted quite a bit. Last summer ESPN had Theo Pinson at #1, followed by I believe Dakari Johnson and than Andrew Wiggins. Now Wiggins is 1 and before the new re-release today Pinson is 9 with Johnson at 5.
• Certainly a number of intriguing big bodies in 2015. 2014 is the wing class, this one looks like the big class. Even a few of the top rated guards seem to have genes that might have them growing a few inches.

[paradigmnParticipant]

TANG!!!  I see we got some fans of the clan…nice!!!

Good post Mikey….I forgot Espn was putting their initial top 25 out today.

My only question is…How is Jeron Love NOT #1???….lol….JKJKJKJKJK…obviously (Mr.Love’s head might explode today huh Mikey???…lol)

But…not too bad…I agree with you about Kejuan…but…he really hasn’t been playing well this spring…but neither has Will Jackson…so…who knows.  Here’s a quick article I wrote on Will in early April http://prospect-central.blogspot.com/2012/04/william-jackson-freshman-point-guard.html He’s an intriguing prospect because of his size for the pg position.

Aaron Holiday def coulda cracked the Top 25. Here are some players that coulda made it (imo)

Perry Dozier / KJ Lawson / Danjel Purifoy / Jeremy Treaudo

I Like Jared Reuter’s game a lot…I have literally had him at #18 in my rankings since I put my them out in July of last year…kinda wierd…anyways…he’s another white player that get’s the "Psycho T" comparison…lol (re-classified from Class of 2014)

[paradigmnParticipant]

Karl Towns Jr was just named to the Domincan Olypmic National Team by John Calapari.

If the team qualifies for the Olymipcs…the 16-year-old could be playing against the likes of Durant & LeBron…LOL

Obviosuly I am all fo young baller’s doing their thing…that’s obvious…but even I think this might be kinda crazy.

You can’t tell me Calapari isn’t thinking about the BIGGER picture as far as recruitng Towns Jr to Kentucky.

Karl may be a nice player down the road…but…I’ll go on record right now and say he would get DESTROYED by U.S. team…he’s got nice range…but definitely not quick enough to get open on his own yet.

I’ll hand it to Calapari…dude is slick!!!

http://www.zagsblog.com/2012/05/23/16-year-old-towns-makes-dominican-senior-team/

Written by ALEX SCHIFFER

 

Karl Towns already has a Middlesex County championship as well as a New Jersey Non-Public A State championship in his freshman season at St. Joseph-Metuchen.

What could possibly top accolades such as those?

The only answer is a possible Olympic appearance.

The 6-foot-11 high school freshman was named Tuesday to the Dominican Republic Senior National Team roster by head coach John Calipari.

SNY.tv was the first to report earlier this month that Towns, who averaged 12 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks last season, could potentially make the Dominican Senior Team.

Towns, whose mother, Jacqueline, is Dominican, has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity should his team qualify for the Olympics as Towns would be going with the team to the London Olympics in August to play on the world’s stage.

Calipari and the Dominican Republic must still qualify for the Olympics when they play Korea and Russia in pool play of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament July 2-8 in Caracas, Venezuela.

Whether or not the Dominican team qualifies, the team is still set to scrimmage Team USA July 12 in Las Vegas.

Should Towns get in the game, he faces the possibility of playing against his favorite player, Kevin Durant, which for Towns, would be a dream come true.

“It’s always been my dream just to meet Kevin but now not only will I have met him but to stand toe to toe with my idol on a basketball court would be unreal,” Towns said.

With Towns on the roster, Calipari gains a one-up in his recruitment. The Kentucky coach will get to coach Towns at an early stage which will definitely play a roll in Towns’ recruitment.

Towns will also have the opportunity to play with and learn from NBA stars such as Al Horford (if healthy) and Francisco Garcia as well as Jersey-born Charlie Villanueva.

“When I first got the call that I made the team I felt like I was a kid in a candy store,” Towns said. “The possibility of playing in the Olympics shows that I have to work even harder to make my dreams come true. Maybe being able to play in the Olympics rather than sitting at home and watching it on TV is motivation enough but just the thought of participating is something you wish to happen your whole life.”

 

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Had a feeling you would be all over the Towns on Dominican team thing, lol. Posted it in the news section a little while ago, am just damn impressed that a 16 year old kid is on any countries Olympic Basketball squad. Guess they still do have to qualify for one of the 3 Olympic spots, no easy task. Seeing as they have Russia in their group, that will be tough as well. Personally would think Lithuania, Greece and Russia (yes, all European teams), would be the odds on favorites for the spots. Nonetheless, what an amazing experience for Towns to be vying for a chance to play in London.

John Calipari more than likely gets a major inside track on one of the best prospects in 2015. Call it slimy, call it genius, he had the power and pulled the trigger on putting this talented youngster on the team. One has to wonder how much PT Towns will get. If there is one spot the DR seems to be set at, it is the 4/5. My guess is that Al Horford is indeed playing. Than you have Charlie Villaneuva, Jack Michael Martinez (who was averaging 27 and 18 at Artesia HS in 1997-98 as Jason Kapono’s HS teammate) and St. John’s newly signed JUCO Orlando Sanchez. That is a tough rotation for a 16 year old to crack. Plus, on a side note, I wonder the health status on Al’s brother Jon who is listed at 6’10 and 250 though missed most of his sophomore year at Michigan due to foot issues.

Still think this is a huge deal for Towns, though. I know he is also a well regarded baseball prospect, though it seems like basketball is the sport he is most interested in. Kind of crazy that the ESPN top players in 2013-15 are from all over North America with Jabari Parker (US, though I suppose he has Tongan roots from his mother), Andrew Wiggins (Canadian) and Towns repping Dominican Republic. Also found it interesting that ESPN released a new rating system. Karl Towns is a 97, Jabari Parker and Mickey Mitchell are both 96. Andrew Wiggins is 95, along with Julius Randle, the next 6 highest ranked players in 2014 and the next 3 after Towns/Mitchell in 2015. Well, left me kind of perplexed as to what that all means (especially as I believe Andrew is well ahead of anyone else in 2014), but must mean they think incredibly highly of Towns as a prospect.

[paradigmnParticipant]

I def can’t cosign on Towns being rated higher than Jabari or Wiggins…or even Julius for that matter.

I’ll give ESPN their props…no question…but as far as early rankings go…they kinda drop the ball a lot.  Just last year had Wiggins as the #3 player in Class of 2014…I mean…that alone says something.

As far as playing time for Towns…prob will be extremely limited….call me crazy…but…I just can’t see him holding his own against NBA baller’s.

I think Horford’s brother will be playing…but…not entirely sure.

Could really care less if Charlie V. plays….that dude…SMH….seems like he fell off big time…if he was ever "on" in the first place (lol).  Actually kinda moves like Towns Jr…as far as being somewhat slow & methodical.

Anyways…no question Calapari is a slick dude.

Quick story on my exchange with Cal:

Remember I was at the Spalding Hoophall Classic back in January.  They had a back room where people with credentials could eat.  So…I was waiting in line for fondue (ya…they had fondue there lol) and this dude cuts in front of me.  So…me not being a biach…I tap the dude on the shoulder and was like "buddy, whats the deal?"….YUP…it was the slick Italiano CALIPARI!!!

Long story short…I let him cut me…lol

 

 

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

But, Andrew Wiggins is now a 96 rating. That puts him one point ahead of the next 6 players in 2014, Jahlil Okafor, Tyus Jones, Noah Vonleh, Emmanuel Mudiay, Dakari Johnson and Trey Lyles (all of whom are 95’s). Seems like ESPN’s basketball and football recruiting are trying to go out on much less of a limb. Can’t say this makes me too ecstatic, but maybe it will be a tad more realistic as far as ones expectations.

Not to mention, possibly give a greater understanding of the talent divide. Have to say though, I wish for a little more specialized breakdown from a 90-100 rating. These grades tend to tell you very little that a better scouting report might, but those seem to be pretty lax in ESPN basketball as well. 

Also saw an "ipowers" write that he felt Marcus Lee was the best pro prospect in the Class of 2013. Guessing that this is Ian Powers, who is obviously a major proponent for Lee and probably one of the reasons he is rated #5 in the NBADraft.net 2013 HS rankings (which are based on NBA potential). I have not seen enough of Lee to comment, but this was the quote:

Marcus Lee is the best pro prospect in the class. As good as Jabari is, he is close to hitting his ceiling. Lee hasn’t even begun to scratch the surface.

Lee does seem intriguing as a PF/C prospect and obviously has upside. Still seems like Parker’s skill set is on a different level. Lee’s defense definitely seems to be what makes him so intriguing, but what is his upside as a scoring option? Just questions I would have about him being a better pro prospect. Also, how different is Lee from a Chris Walker, who seems to be more polished offensively. If Ian saw this and would answer why he feels Lee is the best 2013 pro prospect, would just be genuinely interested in what he projects Lee being as opposed to Parker.

[ipowersParticipant]

 Chris Walker is not more polished offensively thn Lee. Neither one of them are great offensive players at this point. Don’t know who you’ve been getting your information from but a lof of the things you say seem to be baseless.

[ipowersParticipant]

 Jabari is a great player, but his upside is limited. He’s almost a finished product at this stage. Lee on the other hand has never played basketball full time. Since the season has been over most kids he’s playing against on the AAU circuit have been in the gym working on their games and Lee has been playing volleyball. He is a natural talent and has not had the benefit of a personal trainer like most of the elite kids have. Chris Walker is stronger than Lee, but he doesn’t have Lee’s feel for the game. Lee is a great passer with a very high IQ. His ceiling is incerdibly high.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Thanks for the reply, definitely thought it was you, lol. The thing is, even with Lee having incredible athleticism and a feel for the game, how much better will that make him than Jabari Parker? Say Jabari projects to even a poor man’s Carmelo Anthony (which seems to be one of the worst case scenarios many see in him), where does that put Lee in terms of his ceiling? I think sometimes these players ceilings are based on them eventually gaining the skills of a player that they may never catch up to. So, what would you see Lee’s ceiling being compared to a player like Parker? Do you think Parker will not be a star, or that Lee will maybe end up even more of one? Plus, do you believe that Lee can become a post presence and play center at the NBA level?

[ipowersParticipant]

 Lee, if he continues to develop can be a Kevin Garnett type of player. Parker can be a Carmelo type. That isn’t bad at all, but I think if anybody had to pick a career from those two, I would bet they would choose Garnett’s. Parker does not possess that elite athleticism that will give him a higher ceiling than what’s projected. Lee will never be a banger so to speak, so no I don’t see him playing center in the NBA. He will be a power forward in the league. They both will be stars. I just think Lee can be a bigger star.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

That didn’t help LeBryan Nash very much.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

What do you mean by that, TOL? He definitely still needs skills work and is a tank, but I think he and Lee are very different prospects. For one, Lee is much longer and seems to be a more explosive athlete. His playing volleyball seems to make a lot of sense.

Plus, his being a good passer puts him in a different category than LeBryan Nash already. Don’t know if you have seen Lee’s highlights or what he specializes in, but he is very different than Nash. Think Nash was a more polished offensive player, definitely stronger, but Lee seems to be made to play the post whereas Nash is obviously trying to be a wing and struggling.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Picking whose comparison I like more as to whom I would rather take between two players. Of course I would rather have a Kevin Garnett career angle versus a Melo, just simply think KG brought more to the table at his best for many more years. Still, to say Marcus Lee is a "KG type" requires a gigantic leap of faith.

Not saying it is not possible for him to be a floor stretching, monster rebounding/defending, incredible ball handling and excellent passing 4. Certainly he has some of those tools to be that. But, to rely on that when one has seen more towards the line of what Parker can do and has more of an idea the tools Parker will possess is a leap of faith I am not sure I am willing to take at the point. You could be absolutely on to something, but I am never sure about take a "type" of player as opposed to what a player certainly seems likely to bring to the equation.

That is definitely an answer and an angle, so I respect that. Projecting these guys is very difficult and sometimes what seems crazy can turn absolutely true. Deron Williams was ranked much lower than a number of PG’s he ended up crushing through his further development.

One thing I have to bring up though Ian is that early highness on Mitch McGary. Have to say, do not know how he received that Rasheed Wallace comparison. Maybe he was a different player over the summer, but I saw Mitch get balled on by some absolute no-names than come up very short (albeit in limited time, which more than likely came from his practice effort) in the Hoop Summit. Throw in the age thing (his being a year older than everyone else on the Hoop Summit squad, much less the rest of the 2012 class for the most part), was it just a hype thing? I am not claiming Lee is in the same bag, looks like a much different case and at least he gets more of an "under the radar" chance without being built up to be broken down.

Still, think some of the comparisons were a tad strong. Dakari to Shaq, Nerlens to Antonio McDyess (whom is much more tame than the Bill Russell comparison that some are throwing around), even Andre to Dwight Howard. Is this not too much? How on earth do we expect these players to live up to these comparisons, just find them very unrealistic. Notice you had the Kevin Love/Mitch McGary one, as one who saw both in HS, have to say I see very little Love in McGary. Kevin was a monster. McGary is a work in progress, without close to the basketball instincts. I tend to dislike using comparisons, as I tend to see them as statistical or role expectations for these guys that are flat out unrealistic. Still, just wondered about whether you think the McGary one stills holds any water, as someone who saw him in a different setting quite obviously.

 I realize that you say that the comparisons are probably more guidelines as to what they might look like if they maximized their talent, but can there not be more of a happy medium? Jabari Parker being compared to Melo is already high praise enough, but it will take a lot for Dakari Johnson to become Shaquille O’Neal (a player who was actually weighed less than Dakari at a similar stage, with a much longer wing span).

http://www.nbadraft.net/elite-talent-nba-horizon

[ipowersParticipant]

 Again, these are just comparisons to give the average person who has not seen them play, a visual as to what kind of player they are or resemble. It is not an absolute and by no means are we saying that these kids will end up being those type of players. Kyle Anderson reminds me of Magic Johnson because of the way he plays, not that I think he will ever be Magic Johnson. People get too locked in on who we compare these kids to.  Pay more attention to the scouting report than the comparison at the beginning of the report.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

MikeyV

I hadn’t even read the previous replies of yours above my comment, I was talking about the name "Kobi Jordan".  Having a name with NBA stars didn’t work out for LeBryan Nash.

Sarcasm involved.

[Author]

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