Minnesota Sports Forum

Rosas has made two lottery picks since taking over as the Wolves PBO - Culver and Edwards. The question for this thread is this: What NBA great, past or present, best captures the full potential of these two Rosas lottery picks? I'm not asking whether you think Culver or Edwards will be as good as the NBA great you identify; I"m only asking which player best reflects the upside of these two young Wolves players. Here are my comparisons:

ANTHONY EDWARDS:

Player Comparison: Vince Carter

Analysis: Thinking about all the great SGs in NBA history, including MJ, Kobe, Clyde Drexler, etc,, I found only one who compares physically to Edwards and it's Vince Carter.

After growing an inch since the college season ended, Edwards is now listed at 6'6, 230. Vince Carter was the only former or current elite NBA SG who matched Edwards physically. None of the others come close. Even Victor Oladipo, who is often compared to Edwards, was 17 pounds lighter and 2 inches shorter than Edwards coming out of college. And although he's strong and athletic, he's not as fast or athletic as Edwards. Dwayne Wade was 2 inches shorter and 18 pounds lighter than Edwards coming out of college and even he wasn't as athletic or powerful as Edwards. Even Vince Carter, at 6'6, 220, was 10 pounds lighter than Edwards coming out of college, but he's the one great NBA SG who reminds me of Edwards physically with his combination of size and elite athleticism.

I will be thrilled beyond belief if Edwards becomes even close to as good as Dwayne Wade, but I'll be almost as thrilled if he ends up as good as Vince Carter. Based on pure physical ability, Edwards has the potential to be even better.

JARED CULVER

Player Comparison: Brand Roy

Analysis: I don't expect Culver to become as good a player as Brandon Roy. But shooting aside, I see a lot of similarities. They're almost identical is size, but they also are very similar in the way they play. Culver appears to have Roy's high basketball IQ and feel for the game. Both are graceful on the court in the way they move both with and without the ball, only to surprise you with ultra-elite 40+" verticals and quick, elusive moves to the basket. If Culver can become a good perimeter shooter, I see Brandon Roy as a realistic example of his ceiling.

Edwards reminds me of me if I were taller, stronger, younger, and had some basketball skill. I'm way better looking so there's that.

TheSP wrote:Edwards reminds me of me if I were taller, stronger, younger, and had some basketball skill. I'm way better looking so there's that.

You will always be my #1 pick SP.

TheSP wrote:Edwards reminds me of me if I were taller, stronger, younger, and had some basketball skill. I'm way better looking so there's that.

Good looking? You didn't get that from your mama!!! :)

Great comparison of Edwards to Vince Carter.
If edwards reach pre knee problems Carter level, then he is our best and most important player. Defensively, If he ever commits to it and reach his potential. He can be jrue holiday like. A strong and athletic guard who can guard any type of wings and guards.

Since were using all tume greats as comparisson. I see culver being Scottie pippen like. I see the similarities with roy but roy is much more of a lead player while I see culver highest ceiling as a star complimentary type player. Of course, I dont see culver being as good as pippen ever. His ceiling for me is igoudala but iggy isnt an all time great but close to what pippen was. I say culver's highest ceiling is becoming 80% of Scottie Pippen.

I think Edwards has some similarities to Harden in size and body type, but I also think their personalities are similar (from the little I have observed).

I don't have a good comp for Culver, but I like Lip's to B Roy. Both have a very good base, which is why I still have hope for Jarrett's shooting. He does have a nice change of speed, and that was what separated Roy in my eyes.

sjm34 wrote:I think Edwards has some similarities to Harden in size and body type, but I also think their personalities are similar (from the little I have observed).

I don't have a good comp for Culver, but I like Lip's to B Roy. Both have a very good base, which is why I still have hope for Jarrett's shooting. He does have a nice change of speed, and that was what separated Roy in my eyes.

I agree with you that Culver's change of speed ability is part of what makes him comparable to Brandon Roy. I think it's that plus Culver's high basketball IQ, fluidity and sneaky explosive hops that remind me of Roy. Culver has a good handle, but it needs to improve a bit to be at Roy's level. Then it's all about shooting.

I see Edwards' similarity to Harden when it comes to size and their step-back skills. But otherwise, they strike me as very different physically. Harden is purely a finesse player. Edwards is pure power and strength coupled with great speed. That's why I think of Vince Carter. Otherwise, I don't think we've ever seen the likes of Edwards at the SG position in the NBA. That's part of what makes him so intriguing.

lipoli390 wrote:

sjm34 wrote:I think Edwards has some similarities to Harden in size and body type, but I also think their personalities are similar (from the little I have observed).

I don't have a good comp for Culver, but I like Lip's to B Roy. Both have a very good base, which is why I still have hope for Jarrett's shooting. He does have a nice change of speed, and that was what separated Roy in my eyes.

I agree with you that Culver's change of speed ability is part of what makes him comparable to Brandon Roy. I think it's that plus Culver's high basketball IQ, fluidity and sneaky explosive hops that remind me of Roy. Culver has a good handle, but it needs to improve a bit to be at Roy's level. Then it's all about shooting.

I see Edwards' similarity to Harden when it comes to size and their step-back skills. But otherwise, they strike me as very different physically. Harden is purely a finesse player. Edwards is pure power and strength coupled with great speed. That's why I think of Vince Carter. Otherwise, I don't think we've ever seen the likes of Edwards at the SG position in the NBA. That's part of what makes him so intriguing.

This is why Edwards IF he put it all together is the THE highest upside of the draft. I didn't understand how Harden wasn't considered a higher prospect than he was. I personally thought he was a better prospect than Mayo was maybe even their freshman years but certainly he was better in my eyes when he was drafted* than Mayo was the previous Draft. I agree with Lip Harden was and is crafty ironically a lot like Brandon Roy who was mentioned as the Culver comp and Roy was a guy Harden was compared to back in the day. I see some of Harden's craft (footwork) on the 3 point shot from Edwards even though the percentage isn't there.

Edwards is a better athlete than Harden but Harden's brain is a Basketball savant. Edwards isn't that type of guy obviously but he is also quite young and might progress and he has a nice base of skill to build from especially when it comes in that physical package. I was thinking the other day Edwards is kinda like a guard version of Zion but a pure scorer instead of a guy like Zion who has more of an all around game with a really high floor and obviously a very high level prospect.

But wait haven't we seen a big ass freak athlete before? Anthony Bennet right? I honesty don't remember having a legit take on him was before the shock of him being picked #1 overall. I think his shot wasn't something I believed in really strongly, he was too heavy and had some injury concerns...which wasn't good when he was overweight. Let's hope Anthony Edwards is more skilled and better mentally than the guy (Bennett) that had uncashed checks for thousands he left in his locker after the season that he seemed to have forgotten about.

monsterpile wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:

sjm34 wrote:I think Edwards has some similarities to Harden in size and body type, but I also think their personalities are similar (from the little I have observed).

I don't have a good comp for Culver, but I like Lip's to B Roy. Both have a very good base, which is why I still have hope for Jarrett's shooting. He does have a nice change of speed, and that was what separated Roy in my eyes.

I agree with you that Culver's change of speed ability is part of what makes him comparable to Brandon Roy. I think it's that plus Culver's high basketball IQ, fluidity and sneaky explosive hops that remind me of Roy. Culver has a good handle, but it needs to improve a bit to be at Roy's level. Then it's all about shooting.

I see Edwards' similarity to Harden when it comes to size and their step-back skills. But otherwise, they strike me as very different physically. Harden is purely a finesse player. Edwards is pure power and strength coupled with great speed. That's why I think of Vince Carter. Otherwise, I don't think we've ever seen the likes of Edwards at the SG position in the NBA. That's part of what makes him so intriguing.

This is why Edwards IF he put it all together is the THE highest upside of the draft. I didn't understand how Harden wasn't considered a higher prospect than he was. I personally thought he was a better prospect than Mayo was maybe even their freshman years but certainly he was better in my eyes when he was drafted* than Mayo was the previous Draft. I agree with Lip Harden was and is crafty ironically a lot like Brandon Roy who was mentioned as the Culver comp and Roy was a guy Harden was compared to back in the day. I see some of Harden's craft (footwork) on the 3 point shot from Edwards even though the percentage isn't there.

Edwards is a better athlete than Harden but Harden's brain is a Basketball savant. Edwards isn't that type of guy obviously but he is also quite young and might progress and he has a nice base of skill to build from especially when it comes in that physical package. I was thinking the other day Edwards is kinda like a guard version of Zion but a pure scorer instead of a guy like Zion who has more of an all around game with a really high floor and obviously a very high level prospect.

But wait haven't we seen a big ass freak athlete before? Anthony Bennet right? I honesty don't remember having a legit take on him was before the shock of him being picked #1 overall. I think his shot wasn't something I believed in really strongly, he was too heavy and had some injury concerns...which wasn't good when he was overweight. Let's hope Anthony Edwards is more skilled and better mentally than the guy (Bennett) that had uncashed checks for thousands he left in his locker after the season that he seemed to have forgotten about.

Interesting take with the zion comp. I was actually thinking of edwards as a guard version of blake griffin the other day. Another guy I had in mind is jrue holiday. Especially if edwards commits to defense. A mix of vince
carter, blake griffin and jrue holiday would be my ceiling for edwards.

monsterpile wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:

sjm34 wrote:I think Edwards has some similarities to Harden in size and body type, but I also think their personalities are similar (from the little I have observed).

I don't have a good comp for Culver, but I like Lip's to B Roy. Both have a very good base, which is why I still have hope for Jarrett's shooting. He does have a nice change of speed, and that was what separated Roy in my eyes.

I agree with you that Culver's change of speed ability is part of what makes him comparable to Brandon Roy. I think it's that plus Culver's high basketball IQ, fluidity and sneaky explosive hops that remind me of Roy. Culver has a good handle, but it needs to improve a bit to be at Roy's level. Then it's all about shooting.

I see Edwards' similarity to Harden when it comes to size and their step-back skills. But otherwise, they strike me as very different physically. Harden is purely a finesse player. Edwards is pure power and strength coupled with great speed. That's why I think of Vince Carter. Otherwise, I don't think we've ever seen the likes of Edwards at the SG position in the NBA. That's part of what makes him so intriguing.

This is why Edwards IF he put it all together is the THE highest upside of the draft. I didn't understand how Harden wasn't considered a higher prospect than he was. I personally thought he was a better prospect than Mayo was maybe even their freshman years but certainly he was better in my eyes when he was drafted* than Mayo was the previous Draft. I agree with Lip Harden was and is crafty ironically a lot like Brandon Roy who was mentioned as the Culver comp and Roy was a guy Harden was compared to back in the day. I see some of Harden's craft (footwork) on the 3 point shot from Edwards even though the percentage isn't there.

Edwards is a better athlete than Harden but Harden's brain is a Basketball savant. Edwards isn't that type of guy obviously but he is also quite young and might progress and he has a nice base of skill to build from especially when it comes in that physical package. I was thinking the other day Edwards is kinda like a guard version of Zion but a pure scorer instead of a guy like Zion who has more of an all around game with a really high floor and obviously a very high level prospect.

But wait haven't we seen a big ass freak athlete before? Anthony Bennet right? I honesty don't remember having a legit take on him was before the shock of him being picked #1 overall. I think his shot wasn't something I believed in really strongly, he was too heavy and had some injury concerns...which wasn't good when he was overweight. Let's hope Anthony Edwards is more skilled and better mentally than the guy (Bennett) that had uncashed checks for thousands he left in his locker after the season that he seemed to have forgotten about.

I think Edwards resembles JR Rider more than Anthony Bennett. But both Bennett and Rider are similarly scary comparisons when it comes to the red flags associated with Edwards. The good news is that Edwards is way more talented than Bennett and at least as talented as JR Rider, who could have been a star.