I know the board has built Jalen up, on the basic premise that the consensus is he will be the next Rocket, but let's take a deeper dive into him versus Cunningham. This is about potential, and projecting these guys into the NBA. I see Cunningham as a Grant Hill type player. I think he'll put a better stats, but I think Grant Hill and his prime is a reasonable comparison. I see some Luka qualities too. I've seen a Jayson Tatum comparison as well. For Green, I think he's a little harder to project. The scoring looks great. I think with some development is all around game will be great. I think there's an honest question of whether he can develop to be better than Cunningham. I see a lot of Clyde Drexler to his game. Some people would say Kobe, but I think it's hard to compare anybody to Kobe. I think Drexler is a very apt comparison. I think Cunningham's all around floor is higher than Green's, but I think Jalen is a very good compromise pick. I'm all for trading up to get Cunningham, I just don't think there's a huge enough difference in overall potential of the players to warrant a huge haul. I think there is potential in trading up making you look like a fool as well, because I see a scenario where Green becomes a better player than Cunningham. This isn't taking Evan Mobley into consideration at all. I think he is also a hotshot prospect, that any team should be happy with as well. I'm curious to see your comparisons, and in all honesty (which I'm always doubtful of receiving true honesty on here) if you see a scenario where Green can outplay Cunningham. This process is very exciting, and I think there is a big time spoil of riches here.
Cunningham = Better shooter, healthier than than Hill, but I like the comparison. Poor mans Magic Green = Drexler, a very good comparison Mobly = Prime John Salley
Cunningham is a sure-fire pick. He will at minimum be a fringe all Star. Green can end up being John Wall or James Harden type impact. I don't think Cunningham is any kind of lock to be a James Harden type impact, but it's possible. I would stick to our spot and try to acquire any other top 10 pick. Not better than moving up one spot. Detroit front office is sus.
I believe Rockets will pick a player that suits well with the current core of young players in Wood & Porter. Between Cade and Green, which player suits well? Cade gives you an all-around game and could be a better passer than Green in which even Wood & Porter will excel. Green is much quicker and explosive offensively. I think if we have a choice then Rockets should pick Cade. He just seems more poised, complimentary and also plays better defense. But I highly doubt Detroit will let go of such an opporunity.
I think Cade has more of a floor general attitude ala Chris Paul Green is the Booker of the group The question is which will you need the most long term? I think we will probably be seeing both of them in the Finals within the next 7 years, but which do you think you can actually keep that long? I say fade for Cade, the Texas kid, and hope he loves it here.
Cade Cunningham is absolutely in a tier all of his own. The only way he doesn't pan out as a multi multi time all star is if his shot this year was a fluke. Great, instinctual ballhandler and passer Size to play 1-4 Great shot Above average defender Great mentality and desire to win He had like 106 points this year in the clutch. The next closest guy in the NCAAs was like 60something. Sure, it'd be great if he had Green's athleticism. Then we are looking at a Lebron-esque comp. But its fine that he doesn't. Heck, Lebron doesn't have his athleticism anymore and hasn't for a while and became a better player since he had to use skills, smarts, size and angles. Obviously both still have great athleticism relative to normal people, lol.
Cade to me is like Tatum with more PG instincts Cade and Tatum had nearly identical advanced stats for their freshman season Tatum - .169 WS/40, 4.6 OBPM, 3.2 DBPM, 7.9 BPM, 57% TS Cade - .170 WS/40, 4.7 OBPM, 3.1 DBPM, 7.8 BPM, 57% TS I also think Cade’s work ethic does not get talked about enough shooting was a question mark for Cade heading into his college season, but then in college his scoring ability was also questioned, but then he proceeded to average 20 ppg on 57% TS…his athleticism and burst is a knock, but he shot a high percentage at the rim and managed a 39% free throw rate in college…Tatum had a 38% free throw rate in college Cunningham ranked in the 87th percentile this season out of isolation. Compared to recent guards or wings picked in the top five, none was more efficient with at least 50 isolation possessions during their final NCAA season: Cade Cunningham, 2020-21: 1.10 isolation points per possession, 87th percentile Trae Young, 2017-18: 1.01, 85th De'Aaron Fox, 2016-17: 0.96, 79th Brandon Ingram, 2015-16: 0.94, 78th De'Andre Hunter, 2018-19: 0.93, 74th Ja Morant, 2018-19: 0.91, 72nd Jayson Tatum, 2016-17: 0.90, 69th Anthony Edwards, 2019-20: 0.89, 72nd Ben Simmons, 2015-16: 0.84, 62nd RJ Barrett, 2018-19: 0.83, 59th Jaylen Brown, 2015-16: 0.68, 34th Markelle Fultz, 2016-17: 0.66, 29th Cunningham also led the nation in points in the clutch, per Synergy Sports, as he came alive late to take over numerous tight games. this isn’t guaranteed of course, but I think Tatum with more PG or playmaking instincts is a reasonable high end outcome for Cade while Lavine/Beal is a reasonable high end outcome for Green, and I rate Tatum a lot higher than those 2…they are not in the same tier
And if u think Cade could be Grant Hill in his prime, then how is Jalen Green surpassing that unless he really is the next Kobe? Grant Hill before the injuries was a monster, and this would be Grant Hill that can hit threes with volume
Grant Hill was so so good. I still remember that playoff game against the Heat and him staying in the game with that busted ankle, thinking "this guy is nails but man is he risking his career right now"
it’s a shame his career got derailed by injuries…him and Penny Penny is 1 of my favorite players of all time
If Cade is your franchise guy, I dont mind trading future picks(protected top 3) and late firsts for him. Now isn't the time to be okc and hoard picks imo. Swing big if he's the guy.
Pistons podcast on comparing the two. https://www.stitcher.com/show/locke...cuss-cade-cunningham-and-jalen-green-85412728 Topic is less about Cade vs Green Should be Cade vs #2 + some other asset. What asset is deemed acceptable.
-Grant Hill was so smooth and unique in his movement. There's a lot of guys who are upright/stiff when they move, but Hill could get down low on his dribble and launch and it was beautiful to watch. He would lull you to sleep with his simple crossover, but he had really long strides to his first step and overall floor running. His defense was very underrated. Superior rebounder, but in todays league, smaller guys get tons of boards. Hill had a silky smooth mid range and his form was adapted for it, i have no doubt he could have altered it for deeper range in this era. Hill had post up with very good footwork. He's one of those guys who tried to emulate Jordan's smoothness. Todays players try and emulate the 1 speed-GO style like Westbrook. or they want to shoot bombs like Curry and Lillard or they want to embarrass you and break your ankles like Kyrie. Cade has that Luka like at his own pace style and Cade has even mentioned it himself as a comp. - Luka is so unique as well, that it is hard to compare. Tatum with more playmaking is a nice fit if only because Grant Hill was one of my all time favorites and it was my initial excitement comp for Cade, but i've since lowered those expectations. Partly due to not believing we'd have a chance to get him? I'm now raising them a bit again with the trade up talks. Going deeper into GHill at Duke and seeing similar age comps with Hill. Cade obviously showed a good shot from deep which remains to be seen as a fluke stretch or not. -For Green, i do not see the next Kobe or MJ. I do envision a stardom much like DWade. In lots of commercials. GQ/Modeling/Fashion. A worldwide fan favorite. Will bring the team a lot of draw both in terms of national coverage and players wanting to come here. As a raw player, i see a lot of Latrell Sprewell without the headcase(Green more and as explosive first step as any player outside of prime Wall), but accounts from people around Green and his words and actions show me a player with the desire to get better and better and yes, that includes defense. Anyone can say they want to be compared to Kobe, but who actually has what it takes? Green, although somewhat shy/soft spoken and kid like compared to Kobe at the same age who was kind of a loner/brat when the cameras weren't on, but had a wise and older MJ to emulate when the cameras were on, so from a certain perspective Kobe looked way more mature. Green seems chill on and of the camera. A bigger Ja Morant with more outside scoring is another good comp. Green has watched Ja as well, but Green wants to be compared to Kobe which is a good thing to hear from a kid who jumped from high school to Gleague and about to be a top pick. He's not shying away from putting pressure on himself and challenging himself and wants to learn from everyone and not shy to ask for tips much like Kobe did.
This is a great comparison and seems to be most accurate. Their bodies are very similar and they move similar on the court. Basketball seems to come easy for both Tatum and Cunningham at such young ages. With a little work ethic, continued improvements, etc. Cade can be very similar to Tatum with a little less scoring but more playmaking skills as you mentioned. Cade could potentially pass Tatum in efficiency/advanced stats someday due to his ability to affect the game if his shot is not falling. Tatum can still affect the game on defense but isn't as effective on offense if his shot isn't falling whereas Cade would just begin to get everyone else involved and eventually find his rhythm better than Tatum. Has already shown good mid-range game as well as post up although against shorter/weaker players but still a good sign for his ability to adapt to the game like some of the greats do. Tatum's progression has been impressive but has not really led to Celtics improving as a team which is surprising. As a winning basketball player, Cade seems to have the highest floor AND highest ceiling of this draft in terms of leading a team to a championship. I am high on Jalen Green also but his ceiling is Booker/Lavine/Beal which is still very impressive while his floor is more Eddie Jones/Michael Finley IMO. I will take the guy that already appears to be the equivalent of Jayson Tatum with more passing skills and shades of pre-injuries Grant Hill if I had the choice. Man I wish we had the 1st pick but beggars can't be choosers.
I would give them our pick, a top 6 protected pick and a low 1st rounder or 2nd rounder to swap. Cade is a sure thing.
