Post by tonyparker on Apr 23, 2009 23:09:17 GMT -5
To avoid studying I’ve been watching a lot of playoff basketball and it got me to thinking – if our current Hoyas kept developing – what is their ceiling?
Here are my brief thoughts:
Chris Wright = Chris Paul
Similarities: I thought this was a pretty natural comparison. Both guys are super quick and strong. Neither are amazing shooters. Both exhibit top-notch natural leadership abilities.
Differences: Chris Paul always makes the right decision. Chris Wright is still learning how to.
Austin Freeman = Deron Williams
Similarities: I know, I know – Deron Williams is a point guard. But it wasn’t always that way. For his first two years of college, Deron Williams was the overweight side-kick to Dee “the one-man fast break” Brown. Deron, however, went on to shed weight and develop his handle through hard work. In my mind, Austin has the ability to be an NBA player, but to do that he will have to do just what Williams did.
Differences: Austin is still carrying too much weight (I think he needs to cut at least 25 lbs of muscle/fat). Austin is a better shooter, but shoots a set shot. Austin’s handle is very mediocre.
Jason Clark = Rajon Rondo
Similarities: Freakish length. Tenacity. Mediocre Shooters. Great speed.
Differences: Rondo’s handle is much better. Jason is still a turnover waiting to happen.
Hollis Thompson = Rip Hamilton
Similarities: Neither are really vertical athletes. Specialize in the mid-range game. Limited handle.
Differences: Too early to tell.
Julian Vaughn = David West
Similarities: They both move like YMCA players. They both have terrific mechanics on their jumpers for big men. Similar size and length. Limited hops.
Differences: When David West shoots it, he believes it is going in. Julian just doesn’t seem to have the confidence yet when the lights come on. In high school/AAU, his jumper was his moneymaker. I hope next year he gets the opportunity to face up and show his jumper a little bit more.
Nikita M = Lamar Odom
Similarities: Like everyone else, I generally compare white players with other white players. I have to say though, Nikita is not the conventional white player because in primetime he’s just not a good shooter. He does, however, do a lot of things that most white guys just can’t do.
Nikita has good size, can get off his unorthodox southpaw shot whenever he wants, pretty nice handle for a guy his size, good rebounder, tries to make passes he has no business trying to make. These are all characteristics of Lamar Odom’s game – and if Nikita keeps working – who knows.
Differences: Lamar has more muscle on him and a high B-Ball IQ - takes risks but generally they work out for him. When Nikita takes risks terrible things happen – and he needs another 10 lbs of muscle to be effective going to the cup.
Henry Sims = Channing Frye
Similarities: I thought about saying KG, but Henry seems a little too docile out there. He also seems to want to be a perimeter player, not really a banger. This bothers a lot of people – but who knows maybe his jumpers will start falling. In that case he could turn into a nice player at the 4, like Channing Frye.
Differences: Channing Frye’s jumpers mostly go in. He doesn’t play much in the NBA because he doesn’t really do anything else well yet (like Henry).
Greg Monroe = LaMarcus Aldridge
Similarities: Very skilled big men. Great size. Above average athletes who don’t play above the rim. Good but not great rebounders/defenders. Thought about saying Dwight Howard but I just don't see Greg as the "I'm gonna try to dunk everytime I get the ball" type.
Differences: LaMarcus is more confident in his outside shot then Greg is. Greg is more of a banger and might be able to put on more weight. At this stage they are both about 6’11, 240.
Conclusion
A starting lineup with Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Lamar Odom, David West and LaMarcus Aldrige; backed up by Rajon Rondo, Rip Hamilton and Channing Frye should win a bunch of games next year.
Here are my brief thoughts:
Chris Wright = Chris Paul
Similarities: I thought this was a pretty natural comparison. Both guys are super quick and strong. Neither are amazing shooters. Both exhibit top-notch natural leadership abilities.
Differences: Chris Paul always makes the right decision. Chris Wright is still learning how to.
Austin Freeman = Deron Williams
Similarities: I know, I know – Deron Williams is a point guard. But it wasn’t always that way. For his first two years of college, Deron Williams was the overweight side-kick to Dee “the one-man fast break” Brown. Deron, however, went on to shed weight and develop his handle through hard work. In my mind, Austin has the ability to be an NBA player, but to do that he will have to do just what Williams did.
Differences: Austin is still carrying too much weight (I think he needs to cut at least 25 lbs of muscle/fat). Austin is a better shooter, but shoots a set shot. Austin’s handle is very mediocre.
Jason Clark = Rajon Rondo
Similarities: Freakish length. Tenacity. Mediocre Shooters. Great speed.
Differences: Rondo’s handle is much better. Jason is still a turnover waiting to happen.
Hollis Thompson = Rip Hamilton
Similarities: Neither are really vertical athletes. Specialize in the mid-range game. Limited handle.
Differences: Too early to tell.
Julian Vaughn = David West
Similarities: They both move like YMCA players. They both have terrific mechanics on their jumpers for big men. Similar size and length. Limited hops.
Differences: When David West shoots it, he believes it is going in. Julian just doesn’t seem to have the confidence yet when the lights come on. In high school/AAU, his jumper was his moneymaker. I hope next year he gets the opportunity to face up and show his jumper a little bit more.
Nikita M = Lamar Odom
Similarities: Like everyone else, I generally compare white players with other white players. I have to say though, Nikita is not the conventional white player because in primetime he’s just not a good shooter. He does, however, do a lot of things that most white guys just can’t do.
Nikita has good size, can get off his unorthodox southpaw shot whenever he wants, pretty nice handle for a guy his size, good rebounder, tries to make passes he has no business trying to make. These are all characteristics of Lamar Odom’s game – and if Nikita keeps working – who knows.
Differences: Lamar has more muscle on him and a high B-Ball IQ - takes risks but generally they work out for him. When Nikita takes risks terrible things happen – and he needs another 10 lbs of muscle to be effective going to the cup.
Henry Sims = Channing Frye
Similarities: I thought about saying KG, but Henry seems a little too docile out there. He also seems to want to be a perimeter player, not really a banger. This bothers a lot of people – but who knows maybe his jumpers will start falling. In that case he could turn into a nice player at the 4, like Channing Frye.
Differences: Channing Frye’s jumpers mostly go in. He doesn’t play much in the NBA because he doesn’t really do anything else well yet (like Henry).
Greg Monroe = LaMarcus Aldridge
Similarities: Very skilled big men. Great size. Above average athletes who don’t play above the rim. Good but not great rebounders/defenders. Thought about saying Dwight Howard but I just don't see Greg as the "I'm gonna try to dunk everytime I get the ball" type.
Differences: LaMarcus is more confident in his outside shot then Greg is. Greg is more of a banger and might be able to put on more weight. At this stage they are both about 6’11, 240.
Conclusion
A starting lineup with Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Lamar Odom, David West and LaMarcus Aldrige; backed up by Rajon Rondo, Rip Hamilton and Channing Frye should win a bunch of games next year.
