You could say that about Luis Scola also, and this guy has similar moves but should he a better rebounder and passer. Worth a mid to late lottery pick.
Lots of similarities between young Scola and Sabonis. Both have great post-game, effort/motor, good rebounding, midrange jumper. Except Sabonis will probably be a much better defender.
Draft Sabonis instead of Dmo? Sabonis with 3pt(he is still developing it though) would be superior to DMo almost every way.
While Sabonis' post-game is nice, it's not a match to DMo's. Same with passing the ball. Also, they have the same 6'11 wingspan, but DMo is a couple inches taller, and faster (at least used to be).
Well that's obvious. I wasn't talking about their contracts, but their skills. If you get both of them on rookie scale, I think you have to pick DMo over Sabonis.
Well, Sabonis does seem to be a really good rebounder, I'll give him that. But that's just one aspect. Other areas: Post-game - DMo Shooting range - DMo FT% - Sabonis Rebounding - Sabonis Shotblocking - a wash Passing - DMo IQ - hard to tell, both seem to have a really good IQ, but DMo has proven it at NBA level Motor/hustle - Sabonis Defense - DMo (Sabonis might become just as good of a positional defender, but he's still smaller than DMo and will have trouble guarding any C or long/athletic PFs) Speed - DMo I get the constant infatuation with young college players/prospects, but some get overhyped way too much. Sabonis is still a long way from proving that he's on DMo's caliber as a player. People are fast to forget how good DMo can look when he's healthy and in shape (2014-15 season). He was one of the better PFs in the whole league last year.
Sabonis have midrange game, DMo does not. Sabonis is stronger and have much better balance, agility than DMo. Sabonis much better rebounder. Sabonis is far more psychical than DMo, draw more fauls and hits them at better rate. Sabonis build is perfect to defend versus Okafor and KAT, hes just big, quick and strong enough to give them lots of trouble. Remember Sabonis is 5years younger. Remember when DMo entered the league he was worthless on D, far to weak. Sabonis will be able to contribute immediately.
You only listing things Sabonis is better at doesn't make your argument any stronger. Same can be done for DMo: Also, who said DMo doesn't have a midrange? Now you're just making **** up. He was constantly shooting from midrange before he came to NBA and was forced into a system that doesn't include almost any midrange game. Moreyball is dunks, layups, free-throws & threes. Again, it's obvious you're being infatuated by young prospects and what they can become. Even at Sabonis' age, DMo was a much more skilled and versatile prospect. Although, I do agree that from the physycal standpoint Sabonis seems more ready to contribute in the league since he basically already has an NBA ready body. His natural physicality and ability to rebound will also help him avoid some of the 'rookie growing pains'. Ultimately, I'd say DMo and Sabonis are very different basketball players. Their only similarities are the position they play, their nationality and some parts of their overlapping skillsets. Stylistically though, they're completely different players.
Sabonis won't be a top10 pick, I assure you. He's most like likely to be picked within the 12-20 range. DMo was projected as a legit top10 pick, but later dropped because of unsubstiantiated rumors of his poor work ethic which later on turned out to be lies. It's like starting a rumor that Sabonis is a headcase and a terrible teammate. He'd drop out of the first round. Thing is, these types of rumours don't stick to NCAA players if they aren't true because of how much better NCAA prospects are scouter in comparison to their European/international counterparts (in DMo's case).