Who is the template for the rookies: Holiday mentioned the most, Harden & Leonard is on the list

Translator's note: This article was originally published from The Athletic, and the author is Mike Vorkunov. The data in the article are as of the original article as of May 20th local time. The views in the article have nothing to do with the translator and the platform.

On the eve of the NBA draft every year, rookies are always compared with active players in the league. Although this horizontal comparison is a bit lazy, it provides an important reference framework for us to understand the draft and evaluate the potential of dozens of rookies. It allows us to build a cognitive model of players in our minds and judge the heights they may reach in the end. This comparison may be based on competition style, body shape or similar technical characteristics.

However, here is an important discovery: this analogy is not the patent of the media and fans. NBA scouts and management personnel will do this, and the players themselves will do the same. This phenomenon can lead to many interesting topics.

The team occasionally asks prospective rookies who compare themselves to during the draft joint trial or during interview sessions before the draft. These answers are sometimes inspiring and sometimes expose self-cognitive bias, but more importantly, they reflect which players in the league are becoming the benchmark for the new generation to follow.

This month, The Athletic interviewed 13 prospective rookies in this draft or watched their interview process to see which (or which) NBA players they compared themselves to. These answers are quite interesting.

Cooper Flag, 6-foot-8 forward, Duke, ranked 1st in the latest simulation draft, "I don't really like comparing myself to anyone. I feel like on the court, I've been trying to be myself. I don't want to be anyone else, nor do I want to do things I can't do. I just try to be myself. I'll let others do those comparisons."

Dylan Harper, 6-foot-4 guard, Rutgers, 2nd

"Probably tall defenders like Cad Cningham, James Harden, and Alexander. These tall guards know how to control the game, control the rhythm, know when to score, and when not to score. They also know when to get teammates to touch the ball, and when they should not take action. What I like most about them is that they can make their teammates better."

Carter Bryant, 6-foot-7 inches (about 2.01 meters) wing, University of Arizona, ranked 12th

"My growth The trajectory should be progressive. In the early days of entering the league, I felt like I was the kind of player who could defend multiple positions. Obviously, I wanted to defend all players from No. 1 to No. 5. I felt I was able to defend 1 to No. 4 now. I needed to be a little stronger, but in the end I wanted to be a player who could defend all five positions on the court. I've watched a lot of Tumani Kamala and Terre Murphy. I also watched Herbert Jones, Ju Holiday, Derek White. But I hope I could become a star in the league. 1. So I also watched a lot of game videos of Kyrie Irving, Devin Booker, and Jason Tatum. "

Liam McNealy, 6-foot-7 inches (about 2.01 meters) wing, University of Connecticut, ranked 21st. "Gordon Hayward (pre-injury version) is my main template. But even after the injury, he is still a very outstanding player. He feels very good about the game, has a very talented, and has both technical delicateness and court insight. Keegan Murray's body shape advantages and spatial attributes are also worth learning. Xi, especially his shooting stability as a high-tech turret. He is a very good shooter and has a great body condition. "

Cedric Coward, 6-foot-5 (about 1.96 meters) guard, Washington State, ranked 22nd. "I think there are a lot of players that can be compared with me. Kawhi Leonard is one, Mikal Bridges is the other. We all belong to the slim type. So is Jaylen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder - you know, he comes from non-biography But I think that at least in my style of play, these people have one thing in common, that is, they have excellent abilities on both sides of the offense and defense, and that kind of fighting spirit. I think when these players are healthy, you can't say 'Well, he's not doing well in this.' As they continue to improve their game level, they have become one of the best players in the world. I also think that Cad Cunningham is also a suitable comparison object. As a tall guard who can control the situation on the court and control the rhythm of the game, I am also trying to get myself in this direction Development. I see myself as a tall guard. If you go to watch the game video at Washington State, I will find that I play No. 1 more this year than I have ever been. I am getting more comfortable in this position. I'm sorry I'm hurt because I feel like I'm getting better and ready to make a big move, but at the end of the day, God has arrangements for everyone. If I want to compare myself, it's these players."

Walter Clayton Jr., 6-foot-2-inch guard, University of Florida, No. 2 5

"I don't have a template that directly corresponds. I just say that I'm learning from other players' games. I'm a mixture of multiple styles. For example, Jaylen Brunson, his patience in the penalty area is worth learning, his footwork and spatial perception in the penalty area. Ju Holiday always takes the lead in defense, and his basketball IQ is also very high. At higher level games, throwing will definitely become an important part of my game, so Donovan Mitchell is also the object of my learning. He is excellent in using European steps, jumping and foot movements to complete throwing.. ”

Labaren Feron, 6-foot-3 (about 1.91 meters) guard, University of Alabama, ranked 28th, "Ju Holiday. I need to exercise my chest and arms like him to strengthen my physical confrontation. ...I also watched a lot of Nemhard's games, learning how he used his shoulders to create space, and Alexander, I learned about his breakthrough steps. It's really fun to watch other players play and try to incorporate some of their skills into their own. But in fact, the most important thing is to practice solid physical confrontation abilities. ”

Ryan Calke Brenner, 7-foot-1" center, Critton University, ranked 30th. "I told them I don't want to be anyone, I just want to be myself. Of course, you can draw some tips and strengths from others, but I want to be myself. I don't want to be anyone else, I just want to be myself. ”

Tahard Pettyford, 6-foot-0 (about 1.83 meters) guard, Auburn University, ranked 32nd. "I often mention Fox, his absolute speed. I also tried to learn something from Garland and James Harden's game. But I might say that Fox is the player who plays the most like my style. ”

John Tang Jie, 6-foot-5 (about 1.96 meters) guard, University of Wisconsin, ranked 41st. "I don't really like to compare with other players, nor do I have a real NBA template. But if I have to answer, I would say something like Desmond Bain, or Quentin Grimes. These two names are similar to mine. Their growth trajectory is worthy of my reference - they are all examples of starting with role players and gradually expanding the influence of the game through continuous progress. ”

Chaz Lanier, 6-foot-4 (about 1.93 meters) guard, University of Tennessee, ranked 49th. "I really like Devin Booker's game. Last season at the University of Tennessee, I have been studying his footwork, his ability to create space, his shooting skills, and his quick judgment. In particular, Booker's use of footsteps has completely changed my understanding of the technical details of shooting guards. So, I'll say Devin Booker. Also, I have drawn on a lot of Buddy Hilde's footsteps, and I appreciate how fast he shot and how he handled the game so concisely. ”

Hunt Salis, 6-foot-4-inch (about 1.93 meters) guard, Wake Forest, ranked 56th. "I will mention Tim Hardaway Jr.." Nikil Alexander Walker is also a good example, and I like his defensive style. I also like Divincenzo. Of course, I feel like I will draw some of the highlights of their game from many players. I don't think I'm playing like a particular person, but there will definitely be some fusion of similar characteristics. "

Jalon Moore, 6-foot-6 inches (about 1.98 meters) wing, University of Oklahoma, undrafted "I feel like PJ Washington, Jonathan Cumingga. It can not only open up the space to hit three-pointers, but also influence the game through rebounding and defensive contributions. I will be a better three-point shooter and can also influence the game like them even if they don’t score points. I think this is an important role in any NBA team. ”