Rank these generational prospects

[Duke4life831]

The OP didn’t say anything about this needing to be right before the draft though.

I dont want to speak for AzCat, but Im pretty sure it was assumed that the discussion was generational prospects come draft time. Because whenever that discussion is had, that is usually the discussion. Its about who was viewed as a generational prospect by the time the draft came around.

The discussion becomes far more muddled when you expand it to anytime. Because again we would bring in guys like Barnes, Wiggins, Bates, Giles, and so on. Then you can have a discussion on how someone was viewed as a Soph, Junior and so on in high school. Its just a cleaner and better discussion to compare who were viewed as the generational prospects by the time they were going to get drafted.

it also doesn't make any sense to include anyone that wasn't viewed generational come draft time. again, a guy like Emoni Bates two years ago was talked about like Wiggins was talked about in HS. does that mean we should include him on this list?

Wiggins was not generational, that much was clear the minute he got to Kansas.

Ya thats the thing. Why include guys like Giles, Barnes, Bates in the discussion. Just because at a time in high school they were ranked #1 and you had some calling them generational, doesnt mean anything because by draft time they definitely werent viewed that way and werent even viewed as top 5 picks (wont be with Bates).

[Big J]

Got it, but it obviously wasn’t assumed that this was only immediately prior to the draft.

[BostonCouchGM]

I’m only including prospects the past 20 years or so and I’m leaving Lebron off since everyone will have him #1.

I don’t think KD was considered generational (even in college) In my view, these are the only true generational prospects since 2003.

Greg Oden
Derrick Rose
Anthony Davis
Ben Simmons
Luka Doncic
Zion Williamson

The above are sorted by year and these are my rankings:

1. Oden
2. Davis
3. Doncic
4. Simmons
5. Williamson
6. Rose

I think Oden is the clear cut #1. I believe the rest have arguments for #2 except maybe Rose.

What do you guys think? Does anyone think any of the above are not generational or is this a solid list? Where do you rank them?

oddly enough, most of these guys shouldn't be considered "generational" except the one guy you claim wasn't, KD and maybe Zion. There literally has never been a 6'11" guy who could shoot like KD in the history of the game. 26-11 shooting 40% from three in college. That's the definition of generational. Like there's never been a guy as big and athletic while still being skilled as Zion. The term "generational" gets thrown around way too much. Every year there's supposedly a generational prospect. What makes Rose generational? Or Simmons? Or Oden? Or Doncic?

edit-and I get that you all believe Doncic is this insane superstar MVP candidate (I don't) but generational? He was a 31% shooter from three in Europe and is still below average four years in. He's a 74% FT shooter. He's a terrible defender. He averages 4 turnovers a game. None of this screams generational. It screams high usage guy putting up counting stats. If he's generational than everyone else who has done it (Harden, Westbrook) is as well.

[crows2]

edit-and I get that you all believe Doncic is this insane superstar MVP candidate (I don't) but generational? He was a 31% shooter from three in Europe and is still below average four years in. He's a 74% FT shooter. He's a terrible defender. He averages 4 turnovers a game. None of this screams generational. It screams high usage guy putting up counting stats. If he's generational than everyone else who has done it (Harden, Westbrook) is as well.

This is quite possibly the worst take I’ve ever seen on this board. And not sure how you can disagree that he’s an MVP candidate - he’s literally been top 6 in each of the past 3 years. It’s not an opinion, it’s fact

[EMG518]

Just going to give my rankings of prospects since. I have been following.

1.Zion
2.Embiid
3.Chet
4.AD
5.Jalen Green
6.Mobley
7.Simmons
8.Ayton

[SNPA]

Luka
.
.
Others in some order

[babyjax13]

I'm honestly surprised pretty much everyone doesn't think Simmons was generational. Maybe I remember it differently (media spin?) but I thought he was considered that. Interesting discussion, thanks guys

I think people felt that way before seeing him at LSU. Then it was pretty clear he had warts.

[babyjax13]

I remember telling my friends that Luka was the best prospect since LeBron, so I will take that lone win and put him first:

1. Luka
2. Oden (but probably the most hyped)
3. Durant
4. Rose
5. Williamson
6. Davis
7. Wall
8. Irving
9. Towns
10. Griffin

Those are the most hyped prospects since LeBron, IMO.