cosmofizzo wrote:It's interesting also to do this analysis with other players on the roster. You realize that:
Marion > Warren, easily. But then, how does DJJ compare? Well, when Marion was 19, it was 1997, and Shawn Marion was in Junior College, entering UNLV... where DJJ played season before last. Now, I don't think DJJ will ever be the type of rebounder Shawn was, and they are differently spectacular as athletes. More importantly, players develop a different rates, in different ways. Science isn't a crystal ball. But this is why I'd rather not draft JJ. Because what about DJJ? The worst mistakes losing teams make is undervaluing their own investments. Case in point, the Kings with IT.
Lopez/Len? Len the better rebounder, Lopez the more physical defender. Robin JUST NOW became a respectable mid-range shooter. Will Len become a respectable finisher around that age (and if so, wouldn't that be pretty useful to have around?)? How does Len compare, statistically, to Tsakalidis?
Nash/Ulis? Nash was still six inches taller, as he would continue to be throughout his career. But then, there are rookie year stats, and there are defensive player of the year awards to consider. The worst mistakes losing teams make is undervaluing their own investments. Case in point, the Kings with IT... This is why I'm worried about drafting another point guard.
I think it's hard to find Suns-comparables for Bender and Chriss.
Cabarkapa or Len for Bender? Looking at other teams... Kukoc? Porzingis?
Amare, Marion or Warren for Chriss? Finley for Chriss? Mario Bennett? What were we talking about again?
As for the OP's question, I vote Amare over Booker because the FG% and the rarity of Amare's physical gifts made it a known fact that Amare could be a lynchpin of a championship-quality offense. Amare was in the rare air of Malone and Kemp in that respect... too overpowering and coordinated to be stopped going to the basket on the move. A true POWER forward.
Booker's ceiling looks to be higher, at this early stage, because of his mentality and because of the diversity of skills he seems capable of acquiring. Booker scored 70 points in a game. That alone could arguably give him this award. In fact, it probably should, and were I unbiased, perhaps I would have voted for Devin.
But I love power. I miss it. I hate it when the other team has it and we can't do anything to stop it. That's why of all the teams I've ever hated, Shaq's Lakers stand atop that wretched pile. Overwhelming. Unstoppable. Physical power. And me with nothing but L** L******* to defend my team with.
TL; DR: **** the Lakers.
I don't think anyone outside of the Suns fanbase would view Booker's ceiling to be higher than what Amare's was. Amare was listed like top 2 or 3 in the entire league in Bill Simmon's trade value thing. I know he's just a random guy that doesn't do a ton of analysis but he was thought of VERY highly back then.
DJJ to Marion. DJJ will not have much of a role if he can't shoot because you can't hide him on offense or spread the floor. He's like a taller version of Goodwin who looks to be a better defender (though extremely small sample size) and of course a better dunker. He might be more of a Warrick.
Bender - Kirilenko maybe
Chriss - Kind of a cross between Ibaka and Amare with more atleticicm and Warrick's size
If you are just using former Suns DJJ to Warrick and Chriss would be a cross between Amare and Warrick but since he has a 3 ball maybe throw a little Marion in there. I don't think there is a good former Suns comp for Bender.
Booker might be a cross between like Finley (but he was a rookie at 22 so was better than Booker at 20 with a worse 3 ball) and maybe a guy like Eddie Johnson once he became a good 3 pt shooter in his late 20s or Jim Jackson once he became a good shooter from deep.
Booker (20) vs Finley (22)
http://bkref.com/tiny/M8F1lEJ
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/johnsed03.htmlJim Jackson
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jacksji01.html
