The 2017 NBA entry draft was a dream scenario for both the league and the league’s fans. The amount of talent, both expected and unexpected, last year’s draft has produced is astonishing. It is way too early to tell, but this class may even be better than the famed draft classes of 2003 and 1996 due to the insane impact they all had in their first years. Here, we will give future comparisons for each one of the top rookies this season.
Donovan Mitchell- (Prime) Dwayne Wade
Coming into the draft, Donovan Mitchell did not receive much hype. He played college ball for two years rather than the normal one and done making him not as well received similarly to those drafted above them. But, not many other rookies had as much impact as Mitchell did. Immediately he was looked upon as the Jazz’s number one scorer, especially with the departure of All-Star/leader Gordon Hayward. Although not as tall, Mitchell has the ability to score in bunches and can play above the rim with the best of the NBA. Wade also had this ability to be a fantastic scorer and was at his best above the rim. One thing Mitchell has over Wade is 3-pt shooting. Plus, Mitchell is an above-average defender, something Dwayne Wade also was very good at. The two are very similar basketball players.
Ben Simmons- Lamar Odom
Even though Lamar Odom was not the best player to ever play in the NBA, he was one of the most fascinating. He could handle the basketball extremely well for a guy who was 6’10”. Ben Simmons, who stands at the same exact height as Odom, can also handle the ball very well for his size and is extremely fascinating due to his enormous potential. They both displayed a vast repertoire of dribbling moves and flashy passes that some point guards would be jealous of. If injuries and drug addiction did not force him out of the game, there is no telling just how great Odom could’ve been just like how there is no telling how good Ben Simmons could be. The difference between the two, Odom shot more 3-pointers than Simmons does. Although that may not be the same, every dazzling or crowd-awing pass Simmons makes in the future will certainly draw comparisons to Odom. They are way too similar not to make this connection.
Lonzo Ball- Jason Kidd
Although not as stout defensively as Kidd, Ball is a generational playmaker. They both get their teammates involved regularly. Kidd averaged 8.7 AST/game over his career, while Lonzo averaged 7.2 AST/game in his one NBA season. Very similar numbers, which will only be seen as more similar with more seasons under Ball’s belt. This is definitely a product of his incredible vision and basketball IQ, which is/was trademark for the two floor generals. Furthermore, the both have the attitude it takes to make it big in high pressure environments. They both most definitely will not let one reporter bad mouthing them in post-game press conferences.
Jayson Tatum- Rudy Gay
Tatum’s immediate impact has been a great story for the Celtics as they continue to find enormous talent in the draft. Tatum was just another gem that the Celts were able to find. Tatum, who works primarily as a swingman and has almost limitless range. He can both create his own shot off the dribble and move off the ball to make the catch and shoot. Rudy Gay, although not as good of a 3-pt shooter as Tatum, also has an excellent ability to put the ball on the floor and make the mid-range/3-point shot when needed. Tatum was so good in fact that he finished 8th in 3-pt shooting percentage in the entire NBA as a rookie. Tatum most definitely has the potential to be a cornerstone player for years to come with the Celtics.
Lauri Markkanen- Kristaps Porzingis
Markkanen is the epitome of the style of play the NBA is moving towards. The big man is a force both from long range and driving towards the basket. He will not allow himself to be restricted to one type of play style, even though his height may indicate otherwise. The unicorn, Kristaps Porzingizs, plays literally the same exact way. Both Markkanen and Porzingis both were questioned regarding their impact that they would have on the court. Both excelled in the All-Star skills competition (Porzingis won it while Markkanen went to the finals) showing off their wide range of talents. Both are from European nations that really have not produced that much NBA talent, only increasing the risk there was in selecting them. And, they both crazily exceeded all expectations placed on them and are ready to lead their respective teams. It’s about time we start hailing Markkanen as the second unicorn in the NBA.
Markelle Fultz- James Harden (point guard version)
Both Fultz and Harden are absolute wizards when they have the ball in their hands. The nifty dribble moves along with the ability to put the ball in the basket from just about anywhere on the court is a characteristic both these two possess. Fultz is absolutely lethal on catch-and-shoot jumpers, even comparable to Harden's ability to catch-and-shoot. Fultz may be at Harden level sooner than we expected, late in the season he became the youngest player in league history to record a triple-double. In terms of importance to their teams, both Fultz and Harden are vital to any long-term success their respective teams may achieve. On defense, both can get lazy but are such athletic freaks that they could excel in that area with the right mindset. Soon we may see Fultz as a prospective MVP.
Dennis Smith Jr.- MVP Derrick Rose
Smith Jr is one of the most explosive guards to come out of the NBA draft in a long time. As soon as he hits defenders with that blazing first step of his, you should move out of the way ASAP. He attacks the rim with authority for someone who is not the biggest player on the court (he only stands at about 6'1"). If the dunk isn't open, he is not afraid to throw off-balance or mid-air passes out to his teammates. The former MVP attacked the rim with just about the same tenacity and explosiveness. It is hard not to see Smith as a splitting image of the once awesome Derrick Rose that stole the MVP award from LeBron James.