Interesting Comparison

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

First guy is current Wolves player/Second guy is current lottery prospect

Stats are from their freshman year in college:

MPG - 32.8/33.3
PPG - 17.1/16.8
2PT % - 49.3%/50.4%
3PT % - 34.1%/34.2%
FT% - 77.5%/84.9%
RPG - 5.9/7.3
APG - 1.5/2.1
SPG - 1.2/1.3
BPG - 1.0/1.1

Height - 6'8/6'8
Wingspan - 7'0/6'11
Weight - 197/204

[TheFuture]

Wiggins and Tatum?

That's exactly why I dislike Tatum. He is a mid range ISO guy. We have one, don't want another

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Correct, Wiggins and Tatum. They are really close in a lot of areas.

There are a couple of key areas where Tatum looks a little better:

1. I don't buy 204 lbs. That weight was taken in 2016 during an offseason camp. He looked bigger than that playing for Duke, and even if he really isn't that much heavier for now, his frame looks like he could easily pack on another 20 lbs, allowing him to potentially play some small ball 4 given his height and length.

2. His free throw percentage was really high for a college freshman. You just don't see that kind of number very often, and that was on 5 attempts per game, so he obviously has some touch. That bodes well for his potential efficiency as a shooter/scorer going forward, despite his mediocre 3-point %.

3. His rebounding was very solid for a wing prospect. I think that number comes down a bit in the NBA, but if he really does keep adding weight, I could see him posting a solid 6-7 RPG eventually as a pro.

He's not the athlete that Wiggins is and doesn't seem to have as quick of a first step. Wiggins got to the line at a higher rate in college.

I think it comes down to whether Tatum can defend at a high level. I have no clue. Future is right that we don't need more iso scorers, but it doesn't hurt if he has that skill-set along with being able to defend at a high level and eventually develop a reliable 3-point shot.

[TheFuture]

I do think he will be a very good NBA player. His footwork and overall offensive game may be the best in the draft. I'm likely applying too much weight to need when it comes to draftees like Tatum. When I watch him, I see a stud. Then I weigh him against playing time here + what we have and become less interested. Overall, he would be a good pick at 7. Though I'm very certain he is exactly what the Magic need (they have zero true scorers) and therefore will not make it to us. He is the only player that I would slate at the same pick 10 times out of 10.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Interesting stat comparison, Q. You do mention one difference between the two, but I think perhaps you understated it...there is a big difference in athleticism. I see Tatum as a smooth athlete, but not very explosive or fast. Wiggins on the other hand ranks among the most athletic wings in the league. Athleticism can be overrated, but I think it gives Wig a much higher ceiling. I think Tatum will be a decent, but unspectacular NBA player. I still think Wig has superstar potential.

[Monster]

Interesting stat comparison, Q. You do mention one difference between the two, but I think perhaps you understated it...there is a big difference in athleticism. I see Tatum as a smooth athlete, but not very explosive or fast. Wiggins on the other hand ranks among the most athletic wings in the league. Athleticism can be overrated, but I think it gives Wig a much higher ceiling. I think Tatum will be a decent, but unspectacular NBA player. I still think Wig has superstar potential.

I saw someone wrote an article how they compared Tatum to Paul Pierce and some of that was their athletic profile.

Interesting comp Q. They put up similar stats. Tatum is very polished and advanced in what he can do. Wiggins had some skills but came in raw but was supposed to be able to defend right away.

[Papalrep]

Monster--I saw someone wrote an article how they compared Tatum to Paul Pierce and some of that was their athletic profile.

Now that is an interesting comparison. If true, you move Wig to the 2, Zach to the bench. But hey...he won't be there at 7

[thedoper]

If Tatum fell to us we take the money and run. I don't think it's going to happen, but that would be my logic.

[Hicks123 [enjin:6700838]]

I think many overvalue athleticism. Curry...not a great athlete. Dramon Green....not a great athlete. Paul Pierce...not a great athlete, Durant....not a great athlete. There are a ton of these guys in the league. We have all seen how little Wiggins athleticism has driven to expected results. While we always love the guys with the massive athletic profile, I am not sure it prognosticates future success. Tatum seems like a very good basketball player.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I think many overvalue athleticism. Curry...not a great athlete. Dramon Green....not a great athlete. Paul Pierce...not a great athlete, Durant....not a great athlete. There are a ton of these guys in the league. We have all seen how little Wiggins athleticism has driven to expected results. While we always love the guys with the massive athletic profile, I am not sure it prognosticates future success. Tatum seems like a very good basketball player.

Totally agree. I think when it comes to the pure physical element of evaluating a player, things like height, wingspan, and lean muscle mass make a bigger difference than the traditional athletic tests like vertical jump and straight line speed. One thing unique about Draymond is his long wingspan, which allows him to play bigger than his height. Durant has incredible height for a player with his skill set. Klay Thompson is a bigger than average shooting guard. Heck, even Curry is tall-ish point guard.