Jackson vs. Bamba – Who do you rank higher?

[yoyoboy]

I think JJJ has pretty much the same ceiling while also having a much higher floor as a prospect. Defensively, I think both have DPOY potential though Bamba gets the edge in this regard simply because his length and mobility gives him the potential to be the scariest defender in the league. But JJJ in my opinion has little chance of not being a high impact defender. He protects the rim with great length and timing, he has an advanced understanding of positioning already, and his mobility is better than Bamba's. He can be a crazy good PnR defender.

And then offensively, I have a difficult time seing a scenario where Bamba is better than JJJ. I think Mo is still years away from being even a neutral player on offense. His shot is a work in progress, his screen setting needs to improve, he still gets pushed around in the post and his footwork isn't the best yet, and lots of times he just doesn't know where to be on that end. He's a lob threat and a garbage man right now, but I think he's too skinny at the moment to really establish himself down there and get good positioning at the NBA level. Most of his baskets leave me thinking, damn it's impressive how he can put that in while barely having to leave the floor, but there's no way he's getting that off so easily against the average NBA center. With Jaren Jackson, I see so many translatable abilities even just on offense from his floor spacing and shooting to his hard screens to his attacking of closeouts and even his vision, which is currently miles ahead of Bamba's. Not that JJJ is Draymond or anything; it's just that Bamba doesn't have great awareness of where other guys are when he has the ball in his hands.

Bamba has looked better as of late though. I think my current big board would be:

1. Doncic
2. Jackson Jr
3. Ayton
4. Young
5. Porter Jr
6. Bamba
7. Carter
8. Bagley
9. Mikal Bridges
And then I'd really have to think about who I'd pick next.

[yoyoboy]

Slight Jackson Jr.

I have him at 3 and Bamba at 4.

The difference here is obviously the shooting.

Basketball IQ is the other difference for me. I think JJJ is an extremely smart player when it comes to defensive positioning and decision making on offense.

[buzzkilloton]

JJJ for me. He literally fits on any roster that needs a big. Hes the ideal modern nba big.