The next Paul Pierce?
Game 1 of the NBA Finals saw the Celtics outlast, completely out shoot and utterly out hustle the Lakers in the 2nd half. This was surely not the start the media favored Lakers had in mind, nor was it what Stephen Kersey had in mind over at Hoops Fantasy.
Unless, of course, Kersey believes the Celtics can be beat four straight times?
During the game I was making my way through both rosters and began to think– who is going to have a similar impact in the league as a Paul Pierce? Luke Walton? Derek Fisher? Glen Davis?
Are there any guys in the upcoming 08 draft who remind you of certain current NBA role players, or who embody the personality or mentality of a perennial All-Star?
Kevin Love Freshman UCLA
Love could be chosen anywhere between 5 and 15 according to the gazillion mock drafts circulating the web. The role player tag will probably end up defining the career of Love, however, only if he can get himself into better playing condition. Optimistically I could see Love turning out to be a slightly less athletic version of Brad Miller. Brad has never quite been a three point gunner, but has the range. Linas Kleiza has also surfaced as a comparable player in my basketball database of a head. But these similarities are only based off of Love’s ability to shoot the ball from anywhere past 16 feet, especially three point land. But neither Milller nor Kleiza are thick, grind it out post players like Love can be. But I do know of one very thick post player who did not see any action in Game 1 that Love reminds me of. That would be Glen “Big Baby” Davis. If Kevin Love didn’t have any shooting or passing skills he’d be almost an exact copy of Glen Davis.
Lester Hudson Junior Tennessee-Martin
The D-Fish prototype could very well fit Lester Hudson. Small school– check. Quality shooter—check. Hard nose defensive attitude–check. Good head on shoulders–check. Sounds like a guy who could carve out a Derek Fisher type career. And that’s just fine by Hudson, “I would like to have a career just as successful.”
Pat Calathes Senior St. Joes.
The unbridled fondness for Calathes continues, but listen, I need this kid to have a fine career so when I interview for a NBA GM spot I can say I knew he was going to be good… and I have the proof! Pat plays kind of like Luke Walton. Pat handles and passes the ball like a guard and has the shooting touch of a guard, all the while being 6′10 and rather unathletic. I’m not saying that Walton is that great of a shooter, but the comparison is still mostly there in my eyes. Let it fester awhile. You’ll see it.
Bill Walker Sophomore Kansas St.
Bill’s name has shown up on mocks as early as a lottery pick and as late as a 40 something pick. Quite frankly the guy would be a great fit in Detroit, maybe backing up Prince, provided Tayshuan is still in a Piston’s uniform next year. Bill’s strength reminds me of Paul Pierce. Bill will definitely get the nod in terms of athleticism, though both have similar bodies and are about the same size (6’6). Both sometimes methodically make their way to the basket using their muscle and brute force. If Walker can improve is outside shooting as his career moves on, he could put up Paul Pierce like numbers. Though I’m not saying he will average 16ppg like Pierce accomplished in his rookie year.
Any players in this draft remind you of current NBA’ers?
If you got any, just leave a comment!
Tags: , Bill Walker, College basketball, college hoops, Kevin-Love, Lester Hudson, NBA Draft, NCAA basketball, Pat Calathes, Paul Pierce, UCLARelated Stories
POSTED IN: College Basketball News, Lester Hudson, NBA Draft, Projections and Predictions
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