[high floorParticipant]

Currently this site has RJ Barrett compared to Danny Granger. I don’t hate it, but i’ve thought about a player that reminds me a alot of Barrett’s game…… moreso than Danny Granger. To me Granger was much more of a forward. Barrett’s future in my opinion is more as a big 2-guard, with a perimeter oriented approach on both sides of the ball. Granger did not look to facilitate much, which Barrett has the potential to do quite well in the pros. This leads me to my comp:

Michael Finley.

Before the huge RJ Barrett supporters scoff at this comparison, let me take a moment to remind you who Michael Finley was in his prime. Finley was a big, aggressive 6’7 220lb shooting guard that could get buckets on anybody & saw the floor very well as a secondary playmaker.

A 2-time all star (should have been 4 time IMO), he had a 7 year stretch from 1997-2004 where he averaged 21pts, 5.5rebs, 4assists, on 45% FG and 82% from the line. Finley averaged under 2.0 turnovers per game during this stretch, with a decent 24% usage rate. Finley was a smart, heady player that made his teammates better and was very competetive. Just an excellent player.

I also see a little Latrell Sprewell in his game (early years)…. but RJ is significantly bigger than Sprewell… who was 6’5 190lbs soaking wet.

Anybody else agree with me on this?

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

It’s a decent comparison. Similar physical profiles. I feel like Finley was the slightly more explosive natural athlete while Barrett is a little more advanced in terms of playmaking at same stage. Finley had the more natural stroke from deep and was better from mid-range, while Barrett is more crafty getting to the basket. I think rj projects more as a primary playmaker while Finley was at his best as a secondary option playing off the ball. I actually see some Paul pierce in his game (albeit a much more raw and less physically developed version of Pierce). Definitely see the outline for a potential franchise type player if he can improve his shooting and iron out the bad tendencies in his game. Will be interesting to see how he develops but I’m still very high on his overall upside. 

[HobbyOGParticipant]

 That Danny Granger comparison is terrible..And I might get negged for this but F it..he reminds me of a more athletic Khris Middleton..as of today…BUT I think RJ has the motor and the competiveness about himself to want to be great..I don’t think anyone thought James Harden would be James Harden…

[Blackhole1374Participant]

 I could see him being like an andrew wiggins with a killer mindset, more consistent game, and stronger/better against contact…

[IknoBall12Participant]

Is it because they both from Canada? Like what part of his game says Wiggins lol 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 I think he is a strong-willed alpha player who can play a methodical style or get out on the break and run.  I think he is a point guard, otherwise I think he disappoints.  

Gotta give the guy the keys.

Reminds me of Oscar Robertson.  Never saw the guy play, and have barely watched many of his highlights (compared to other greats), but I usually do better when I compare new players to retro guys that I never saw live.

On the flip side, I think Zion is the best center in the draft.  Old-school comps might work best (other than Sir Charles or LJ): probably a mix of Elgin Baylor and Wes Unseld.  I think you pair him with a killer point guard and 3 shooters and turn it up a notch in the playoffs.  Ironically, I think second round foe Tacko Fall would make a great backup/duo for Zion in certain match ups.

Best 3 in this draft: DeAndre Hunter.  

Best 2 guard: Kevin Porter Jr. or Tyler Herro.  Although I really like Ja Morant at the 2 if he can grow a couple of inches.  There is a certain Jordan-esque quality about him.  Pair him in the backcourt with someone like Kyle Guy aka the new John Paxson.

Best power forward: Bol Bol, Brandon Clarke, or Luka Samanic.  Or you turn Jarrett Culver into the next Danny Manning.  

WILDCARD: Even more than Jelan Lecque or Darius Bazley, what about Antwann Jones?  Transferred from the University of Memphis, I kinda super like this guy as a point guard.  Didn’t play in a ton of games but kicked butt when I was at the UALR game.  Just electric and can make high-level plays.  On FB I was hyping myself up about Antwann Jones/James Wiseman pick and rolls next year.  Oh well.  I was bummed.  Other FB posters were, too.  Pair him with Mitchell Robinson in New York.  Run pick and rolls.  It would be worth the price of admission at least.  Antwann Jones could be the next Micheal Ray Richardson.  Maybe the Sidney Moncrief/David Thompson of point guards.  He could be the next Michael Jordan for all we know.  

On the other hand, I have no idea what to make of Sekou Doumbouya.  Although it looks like a setup for the Grizzlies.

[timinator1Participant]

and I think another one might be Joe Johnson. Big 2 guard, some perimeter scoring but best going to the rim. RJ might be asked to be more of a facilitator in today’s NBA than Iso Joe was during his prime.

[alex23Participant]

 I feel like he can be similar to  Derozan (not as explosive jumping wise as Derozan but still has a very quick first step)  with a better three (form wise) and perimter skills coming out the gate. He also seems a bit bigger even though they are listed around the same height even though barret has a bigger wingspan. 

[holefillers1Participant]

You stole my answer, Derozen is the best comp. If RJ doesn’t live up to his potential then probably something like Aaron McKie 

[mowestenParticipant]

 I honestly can’t really think of anyone that Barrett reminds me of off the top of my head … he is a big guard with terrific court vision. He handles it well, but isn’t especially explosive off the bounce, he’s not going to blow by defenders in the James Harden mold. He is really good off the bounce at attacking the basket, but instead of being creative and explosoive, combines crafty, big and strong. He doesn’t really have a pull-up game that I have found on film, and that might be the area of his game that I would want to see.

On the other hand, I think he’s much more skilled than what is being depicted here with some of the comps. He has really good court vision, infinitely better than guys like Michael Finley or Joe Johnson, and while I don’t see a mid-range game on film or a pull-up game off the bounce, he has a nice assortment of floaters and a crafty ability to score around the basket. I think with the NBA spacing in the modern game, he will do well getting to the basket and finishing and will get to the free throw line a lot.

Another aspect of his game that I like from what I see on film is his feel for playing in the pick and roll. He has good timing and a knack for finding the roll man at just the right time.

I think if he improves his shooting he has a chance to be a really good NBA player who can play either guard spot and put points on the board.

[2quick4uParticipant]

I do not see the Finley comparison.

Finley’s game was in the mold of DeRozan, late MJ or late Kobe, that is, he lived off of his pull up jumper whether from mid-range or from the post and he was not a primary ball-handler nor did have a great court vision although was a capable passer.

Barrett is in the mold of today’s big guards and SF that have evolved and play as a primary ball-handler, but he doesn’t have a pull up jumper at all and doesn’t play in the post, he basically attacks the rim with his left and finishes with a variety of floaters.

The problem with Barrett is that besides not having a mid-range game, he’s a horrible 3PT and FT shooter, plus he turns the ball over too much, so we can say that he is a player that has the ability to stuff the stat sheet easily, especially in today’s game, but at the same time a very inefficient player.

To find a comparison for him is difficult but he is like a smaller and less talented version of Ben Simmons, maybe more capable with his shooting but having in mind that even though he’s averaged 2 triples/g he’s done it with a very poor 30’9%, so it will have to be seen how he shoots from NBA range and how many he makes… Maybe he could be like a less finesse Grant Hill…

Personally if i had a top 3 pick i would run away from him, he’s the opposite of what a winning team needs, so i’d try to pull an "Ainge trade" with the Hawks to get an extra pick…

[Jr. ROXASParticipant]

RJ Barrett actually reminds me so much of Jimmy Butler. Big guard who can play PG, average outside shooter and relentless attacker. Also kind of the same athlete. Not yet the defender Butler is but he definitely has the same competitiveness

[HeroescantdieParticipant]

 Bonzi wells more advanced and skilled with a killer instinct

[MkadozaParticipant]

 Bonzi was a problem on those Blazers

[kobyzParticipant]

 Michael Finley/Danny Granger is my comparison for DeAndre Hunter actually…

RJ Barrett is similar to players in the mold of: Clyde Drexler, Jerry Steakhouse, DeMar DeRozan, Latrell Sprewell…

[ChrispyParticipant]

 I love Happy Hour at Jerry’s Steakhouse. $3 beers, can’t go wrong!

[Scrooge McDuckParticipant]

RJ Barrett= a young CJ Miles 

[Scrooge McDuckParticipant]

:-/

 

[airguytonParticipant]

 hopefully not another shabazz Muhammed 

[iguapops420Participant]

Evan turner with a killer instinct  

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