https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/in...t-player-comps-all-14-projected-lottery-picks Amen Thompson | Guard | Overtime Elite High-end comp: Smaller Ben Simmons in a good way Low-end comp: Smaller Ben Simmons in a bad way Amen is a tricky player to draw comparisons for, due in part to the fact that he'll be one of the best athletes in the NBA from day one, but also because of the very short list of tall, playmaking guards who have survived in the modern game without a reliable jump shot. He's an anomaly one way or the other. While it's not a good one-to-one physical comparison, I think Amen's role will wind up somewhat similar to that of Simmons in Philadelphia. We can't just make the assumption he becomes a threatening jump shooter, but his passing ability and sheer athletic advantage creation might allow him to play lead guard in lineups where ample shooting is placed around him. He also has the tools to be a defensive menace if he wants to take his game in that direction. The risk is the holes in his game ultimately hamper him to the point where his lack of shooting and its implications for his role become a uniquely tricky fit in certain lineups and that he could wind up a tantalizing player without an obvious position or role to cling to. Ausar Thompson | Guard | Overtime Elite High-end comp: Andre Iguodala Low-end comp: Taller Isaac Okoro Ausar's physical gifts and tenacity give him a chance to become a valuable two-way perimeter player, capable of slowing down the opponent's top scorers and also chipping in buckets and making plays for teammates -- the type of role Iguodala grew into and excelled at for much of his career. The concerns are that he might never be an above-average catch-and-shoot player, which would greatly limit his utility away from the ball, and that his on-ball acumen might not quite evolve to cover for the shooting struggles, either. Thompson's defense and work ethic should keep him relevant, but there's a range of outcomes tied to how his offensive impact evolves. Spoiler Victor Wembanyama | Forward | Metropolitans 92 High-end comp: Kevin Durant on offense, Kevin Garnett on defense Low-end comp: Taller Anthony Davis Brandon Miller | Forward | Alabama High-end comp: Brandon Ingram Low-end comp: Marvin Williams Scoot Henderson | Guard | G League Ignite High-end comp: De'Aaron Fox Low-end comp: Collin Sexton Jarace Walker | Forward | Houston High-end comp: Paul Millsap Low-end comp: James Johnson Taylor Hendricks | Forward | UCF High-end comp: Jaden McDaniels Low-end comp: Maxi Kleber Anthony Black | Guard | Arkansas High-end comp: Josh Giddey with better defense Low-end comp: Evan Turner Cam Whitmore | Forward | Villanova High-end comp: Miles Bridges Low-end comp: Kenyon Martin Jr. Whitmore's strong frame and explosive vertical game place him in the vein of someone such as Bridges, who at his best is a useful play finisher, shooter and defender who can create mismatches and advantages from multiple positions. His feel and playmaking ability, however, are a bit questionable, which might ultimately limit some of his high-end outcomes, and he'll need to learn to play with more consistent energy regardless. Whitmore's upside is strong, but it's possible he never quite blossoms as a go-to creative option, either. Dereck Lively II | Center | Duke High-end comp: Tyson Chandler Low-end comp: Willie Cauley-Stein Gradey Dick | Guard | Kansas High-end comp: Kyle Korver Low-end comp: Corey Kispert Kobe Bufkin | Guard | Michigan High-end comp: Tyrese Maxey Low-end comp: Delon Wright Jalen Hood-Schifino | Guard | Indiana High-end comp: Markelle Fultz Low-end comp: Iman Shumpert Jordan Hawkins | Guard | UConn High-end comp: More athletic JJ Redick Low-end comp: Anthony Morrow
You are moving the goal posts. The question was whether Amen Thompson is a unique player - and the answer is yes, he is. There are very few players in league history that have the traits he has. now - the question of whether he can shoot is a different question, and I don't contest that he is a poor shooter, it is objectively true. As for Ben Simmons - at one point he was an All NBA level player. The issue with Simmons was also that he has always had a terrible work ethic. He was out of shape at LSU and gave up after he was given the max in Philadelphia.
No, some analysts are good, some are bad, some are meh. KOC is meh. Many years of looking at his analysis proves that to me.
The statistics can be a little deceptive with OTE. The ability to pass really came out for Amen in the playoffs where he averaged around 10 assists a game. As for Ausar's passing, yeah- I am sure there are some teams sitting there thinking that they may get a guy that can play point with Ausar. As far as shooting goes, Amen supposedly shoot better than Ausar when working with Mike Miller - and he changed his shot quicker than Ausar. However, once the season started, Amen fell back into bad form and Ausar shot better - so really it is hard to say who will be the better shooter long term.
By top 1% are you meaning top 1% for the NBA? That means like he’s in the top 5 of the NBA for athleticism.
Gradey Dick | Guard | Kansas High-end comp: Kyle Korver Low-end comp: Corey Kispert Interesting how Gradey Dick's only comparisons are white guys. I guess it's hard (or impossible) to compare white people's games to black people's games because, you know, they're just so completely different.
He changed his shot working with Mike Miller during the off season. His mechanics clearly lapsed back and he started having bad habits again.
Yeah. He is certainly in the top 5.... possibly even higher. His brother isn't quite as quick, but still elite as well.
Pretty much all scouts are saying that he'll be a top 5 athlete coming into the league immediately, yes.
Yes. He will be in the conversation with the top few athletes in the NBA when he's drafted. Heard some say he's more athletic than Green, and Green is right up there with the best in terms of raw athleticism.
It's going to take him 1,000's of repetitions to fix that shot. Like in the gym, at home, at a restaurant, wherever, 24/7.
The days are coming when folks harping about his “athleticism” isn’t going to look so noteworthy playing at the highest level that isn’t full of 16 year olds
Ok so we have Giannis, mythical healthy Zion, Ja, Anthony Edwards, LaVine, Aaron Gordon, Jalen Green, KPJ, Nance Jr, Christian Braun, DiVincenzo, Connaughton, Keon Johnson, Diallo...help me out I'm just going based off of names on the top of my head. I feel like there's probably a number of bench players names that I'm forgetting that have top tier athleticism. I'd put Amen in that class of player but there are more than a few of those players in the league is all my point is.
