Today's Elite Shot Blockers: Historical comparisons

 This week's coffee:  Eight O'Clock original blend...old reliable. Just bought a new kick ass grinder too!

I've always enjoyed finding historical comparisons for active players! From time to time, I'll continue this series covering a different category of hoopsters. These comparisons are based on physical stature, playing style, skill set and stats. 

I've included season statistics (per 36 minutes)  at the point of which the players were at the same level of experience or age; this makes it interesting to speculate on a young player's long-term potential. Everyone on this list is relatively young except for Duncan, so I simply included his career averages.  

 

Serge Ibaka                                                                       Caldwell Jones

6'10", 235, OKC '12-13          23 yrs. old - per 36 min. stats         6'11", 220, SD (ABA) '73-74

        15                         Points                             15

         9                        Rebounds                          13

        3.5                        Blocks                            3.9

        57%                         FG                              47%

        75%                         FT                              74%

Relentless hustle, high-flying athleticism, sound defensive instincts, and a smooth shot! These traits led Jones to a 17 year career including 3 dominant seasons in the ABA. Durable Ibaka should also have a long and productive career prowling the paint with those same skills!

Larry Sanders                                                                   Marcus Camby

6'11", 235, MIL '12-13              24 yrs. old - per 36 min. stats             6'11", 235, NYK '98-99

        13                 Points               12

        12               Rebounds            10

        3.7               Blocks               2.8

        51%                 FG                  52%

        62%                 FT                  55%

Sanders and Camby displayed the same natural swatting ability, size, nimble athleticism, and awkward/inconsistent mid-range game. Camby is one of the most underrated centers of his generation since he was a model of defensive consistency for 15 years without an all-star selection. Sanders is on the brink of a fat contract extension, and the Bucks should be thrilled if he continues to mirror Camby!

Tim Duncan                                                                                Bob Lanier

6'11", 255, SAS '97-13                          Career averages              6'11", 250, DET/MIL '70-84

        20                 Points           20

        11               Rebounds       10

        2.2               Blocks          1.5

        51%                 FG           51%

        69%                 FT           77%

Duncan is widely-considered one of the top 20 players in NBA history, and some (including myself) feel that he's the best PF ever. Lanier, although inducted into the HOF, doesn't receive the same level of praise amongst NBA buffs. Very similar in size, teamwork and skill to "The Big Fundamental", Lanier dominated as a Piston in the '70s. If not for a plethora of injuries, Lanier could've continued his dominance into the '80s.   

Roy Hibbert                                                                  Benoit Benjamin

7'2", 275, IND '12-13              5th yr. pro - per 36 min. stats                7'0", 250, LAC '89-90

        15                 Points               15

        10               Rebounds            10

        3.3                Blocks              2.9

        45%                  FG                53%

        74%                  FT                73%

Hibbert and Benjamin showed very similar results after their first 5 years. Although lacking quickness, these hefty 7-footers proved to be skilled post players and defensive anchors. Ultimately, their stats plateaued as borderline All-Stars. As such, Hibbert shocked the basketball world in the 2013 Playoffs by taking his game to another level while bullying the smaller Heat! We'll soon see if Hibbert's recent success was the start of something great, or just a flash in the pan (a la Benjamin).

Dwight Howard                                                          Alonzo Mourning

6'11", 265, LAL '12-13           27 yrs. old - per 36 min. stats                 6'10", 261, MIA '97-98

17                 Points          21

12               Rebounds       10

2.5               Blocks          2.4

58%                 FG           55%

49%                 FT            66%

Zo and Dwight are rare beastly ballers! Displaying bodybuilder-type physique, these centers dominated the paint with brute rebounding & shot blocking skills. They both offered a limited repertoire of offensive moves, an inconsistent mid-range jumper, and poor free throw shooting. However, they struck fear into opponents at the rim! Many feel that Dwight lacks maturity and passion; contrastingly, Zo was one of the most intense basketball players I've ever seen!

Brook Lopez                                                     Rik Smits

7'0", 265, BRO '12-13             24 yrs. old - per 36 min. stats                 7'4", 250, IND '90-91

23                 Points               18

8                Rebounds              8

2.5               Blocks               2.4

52%                 FG                49%

76%                 FT                76%

Lopez & Smits immediately proved to be reliable offensive players with a natural shooting stroke and nifty post moves. However, most would agree that these 7-footers are soft! With so much size and skill, it's surprising that these big fellas seldom pulled down 10 boards in a contest. Thus, I feel that their volume of blocked shots has more to do with length & athleticism, and less to do with physicality & aggressiveness. Going forward, perhaps KG and Coach Kidd will instill more toughness into young Lopez!

Joakim Noah                                                                              Sam Lacey

6'11", 232, CHI '12-13           27 yrs. old - per 36 min. stats                6'10", 235, KCO '75-76

12                 Points               12

11               Rebounds            12

4                  Assists                4

2.1               Blocks               1.6
1.2                Steals               1.5

48%                 FG                 40%

75%                 FT                 76%

Noah & Lacey consistently provided their squads with an unselfish, yet rugged brand of leadership. Not only were they double-double & swat machines, but they also filled the box score with a rare combo of assists, steals and efficient free throw shooting. Noah & Lacey might get overlooked by the casual fan since their style doesn't grab the headlines, but their constant motor and unassuming basketball IQ has been invaluable to their coaches & teammates!  

Note: After I determined that they mirror each other in stats and size, I read that Phil Jackson once said that Noah reminds him of Lacey too!

JaVale McGee                                                                    Elmore Smith

7'0", 252, DEN '12-13             5th yr. pro - per 36 min. stats                 7'0", 250, MIL '75-76

         18              Points              16  
         10            Rebounds           11 

         3.9            Blocks               3.1   
         57%              FG%               52%
         59%              FT%               63%     

Quite frankly, a player like McGee is frustrating. Even though this 7-footer has been blessed with a world-class wingspan and jumping ability, his apparent immaturity limits his playing time! Perhaps McGee is uncoachable, but he has the size and ability to dominate defensively like Elmore Smith did in the '70s. McGee is one of only a few active players capable of approaching Smith's single-game record of 17 blocked shots! After 7 productive seasons, Smith's career was cut short due to knee injuries; hopefully, McGee's career is not cut short due to immaturity.

Bismack Biyombo                                                   Harvey Catchings

6'9", 245, CHA '12-13             2nd yr. pro - per 36 min. stats                 6'9", 220, PHI '75-76

           6                Points                  6      
          10             Rebounds              11
         2.4               Blocks                3.4
         45%                FG%                  43%
         52%                FT%                  60%     

Just like Catchings, Biyombo lacks offensive skills and is considered to be raw in that regard. However, they both carved out a nice niche for themselves as spry role players off the bench who could be relied upon for rebounds and blocked shots. By embracing such a role, Biyombo can easily have a 10-year career like Catchings.

Anthony Davis                                                                     Shawn Kemp

6'10", 220, NOR '12-13            1st yr. pro - per 36 min. stats               6'10", 230, SEA '89-90

        17            Points               17 

        10          Rebounds            11
       2.2            Blocks              2.3

       1.5             Steals              1.5 
       52%             FG%               48%
       75%             FT%               74%

Heading into the '90s, The Reign Man took the league by storm with high-flying dunks and a gazelle-like stride! This excitement often overshadowed Kemp's efficient mid-range shot and sound defense. Although not as flashy, Davis is also a delight to watch, as he flies up and down the court while attacking the rim and offers a smooth shooting touch. In the latter portion of Kemp's career, his weight ballooned leading to mediocre play and it probably caused him to miss out on a Hall of Fame induction. Barring injury, I think the slightly thinner Davis can surpass Kemp's accomplishments.