by Henri Rousseau
I’m basing these comparisons mainly off of playstyle, not on their standing with the rest of the league. A few players and coaches will get personality comparisons, mainly for fun.
The Goodfellas
Spidel: ‘18 -’19 Paul George
Both of these players are high volume 3pt shooters with size, good defense, and a capable 5 apg kind of player. But what really connects the two in my mind is the fact that they both play with silky smooth footwork and movement. They both make a tough, off balance guarded three look effortless.
Matteo: Mikal Bridges
These players remind me of each other because they are both defensive minded wings with long arms and an almost slithery playstyle. They are capable on offense but not the main focus of one. I can also envision both players weaving through the paint, using their length to get a strange layup off of the backboard.
Zhang: Steven Adams
While Zhang isn’t the physically imposing, strongest man in the league that Adams is, they are very similar in their skills. Zhang is one of, if not the best screen setter in the league just like Adams. He also is an underrated passer, and if you have been paying attention to Memphis this year, Adams passing out of the high post is a big part of their success this year.
Kiernan: Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Kiernan is a strong physical defender who isn’t afraid to throw his weight around. Like Thanasis, he can check in the game and bring some strength and energy on the defensive end. Both these players can imprint themselves on any game by being physical and using their fouls to take someone out of the game.
Cian: Darius Bazely
Darius Bazely is an enigma of a player who can use his left hand very well on drives. Honestly, I have no idea how good Cian is anymore, but much like Darius Bazely next year, if he can make a leap this season that left hand could be very dangerous. But he could also be a lot like Darius Bazely this year, and not have much impact on winning basketball games.
Yagev: Tom Thibodeau
Everyone loves clowning on both of these coaches, and they both are very intense in their coaching styles. Both get very mad at the refs. Similar hairstyle too.
The Tropics
Matt Rooney: Luka Doncic
In terms of playstyle, this is the mold Matt fits. A high usage guard whose main weapons are strength, passing ability, and high volume 3pt shooting. The biggest similarity though is the rebounding ability. Doncic is one of the best rebounding guards in the league, and Matt is the best rebounder in the whole league. Offense sells tickets, defense wins games, but rebounding wins championships.
Dorval: OG Anunoby
I think OG is a great model for Dorv because they both are great defensive players who have a high motor and good effort on that end. Offensively, both can be streaky, but when they are on they can score from all three levels. They both aren’t exceptional passers, but capable of making the right read off of drives.
Nov: Malik Beasley
Malik Beasley has been an under the radar player these past few years. His offense is great, and he is a streaky shooter. When he’s hot though, it seems like he doesn’t miss. Both players don’t seem great on the defensive end, even though I think Nov has some of the best instincts and hands, he just doesn’t have the conditioning or put that much effort in.
Kenny: Semi Ojeleye
Both are strong players and defenders whose main weakness on defense is quickness. The three ball will be a large part of Kenny’s shot selection this year, and if he makes them and is in a rhythm he can be the difference maker this year.
Aidan: Young Pat Riley
Aids is the kind of coach who has great rapport with his players. He is the definition of a player’s coach. If there was any Pat Riley/Magic combo in the league, it would be Aidan and Matt so it matches up history-wise as well.
The Roses
Henri: Demar Derozan
Henri is a high volume scorer whose offense mainly comes from the mid range. He can drive, he can shoot threes, but those aren’t his main or best weapons.
Eli : Nikola Vucevic
He has the full offensive package. A killer post game, great footwork, can score on the pick and pop or the pick and roll, just like Vuc. His strengths however, lie in finding space and using his footwork and body to find seams for 7 footers or good mid range shots. Defensively, he matches up better against slower bigs.
Diego: Duncan Robinson
Diggy is a lot like Robinson in both his shot selection and off ball movement. Still in high school, Diego is one of the best in the league at shooting off the catch and on the move. If you don’t stay with him over screens you will get burned.
Paul R: Jericho Sims
Paul is a rookie that I think will surprise, just like Sims did this year. He is a big athletic body that will play some good minutes; his defense will get more solid as the year goes on and the game slows down for him. He is also sneaky athletic.
Sam: Quin Snyder
Everyone knows Sam is a solid coach who knows what to do and has a lot of influence in NSL circles. But where he comes close to Quin Snyder is that they both love ‘emo’ women. Why do you think Quin Snyder is Utah’s coach? There is only one answer: repressed mormon women. Everyone knows Sam is trying to move to Salt Lake City after graduation, and it seems him and Quin are two peas in a pod.
The Monarchs
Will T: Kawhi Leonard
Will and Kawhi are very similar in a lot of ways. Physical strength, great defense, and a good shot. I don’t know who will stop him on offense, and if he gives effort he could be the best defensive player in the league.
David HS: ‘02-’03 Tracy McGrady
DHS is a three level scorer who is good at everything on the court. Passing, rebounding, defense, and scoring are all better than the average NSL player, but his best skill is his scoring. Both him and prime Tracy McGrady can take over a game at any time.
Josh Cooke: Derek Fisher
Josh Cooke is a knockdown lefty shooter who is a bit undersized, but has the ability to change a game with a few threes and the gravity and spacing that can come with that. Similar to Derek Fisher, Cooke has championship experience and will be a weapon for his team.
Charlie: Demarcus Cousins ‘21-’22
Chuck is a quality backup big who is one of the biggest bodies in the league. Like Demarcus Cousins, he can get played off the court by quicker players if he can’t punish them in the post. But when Charlie is going in the post he is one of the best 4th men in the league. The comparison gets eerie when you think about how much each of these players talk to fans, the refs, and opposing players.
Jack Whalen: Steve Kerr
Jack and Steve Kerr have a lot of similarities. Both are former players, and sharpshooters at that. Both are coaches of high talent teams with a lot of expectations. Finally, both have been around the game for a long time and have good basketball minds.
The Bears
Thomas Byrne: Dejounte Murray
Thomas is a skinny but uber athletic and coordinated guard, which completely matches Dejounte. I think Thomas will surprise a lot of people this year with his all around game, especially his quickness and passing ability. I think Thomas will be a bit better than Murray in relation to the rest of the league, but the playstyle fits well.
Soup: Kevin Durant
While this playoff series against the Celts has caused a lot of KD slander, lets not forget that Kd is one of, if not the greatest scorer of the modern era. Soup is very similar. He can get a shot off from anywhere, and it seems like it’s a good decision. I think playing with Thomas will really help him as he doesn’t have to handle as much playmaking duty. But look to see Soup possibly lead the league in scoring, and barring any setbacks, look to see the Bears near the top of the standings.
John Ross: Andre Drummond
John Ross is the strongest player in the league. But in terms of pure basketball skill he’s not up there with the league’s best bigs. I think Drummond is a good comparison. Drummond is a killer rebounder who can get points against teams that won’t put enough bodies on him down low. Both players also get points from being quicker than you would expect.
Idi: Bruce Brown
While we haven’t seen Idi in the league for a few seasons, his former playstyle was a lot like Bruce Brown. Undersized but plays big. A strong crafty finisher.
Zach Goldman: Doc Rivers
Zach and Doc are both former players who have stepped back to start up their coaching career. I think they are similar in terms of demeanor, and the look they give refs when they don’t like the call.
The Jackals
Lucas: Young Lebron James
Lucas is a hard player to put because he is both one of the tallest plates in the league, and one of the most fluid athletes. Add three level scoring ability and it’s pretty hard to find any comparisons. The closest I can think of is a young Lebron who was an incredible athlete and was bigger than anyone who could move as fast or be as dynamic as he could.
Hano: Boris Diaw
Hano has always played like Boris Diaw. Solid at all three levels, a good secondary creator who will keep the ball moving on offense. He fits well with others, especially on the offensive end. On teams that want to make it far, Hano’s skills are invaluable, just like Diaw’s skills were crucial to one of the greatest teams of all time.
Nathan: Kyle Kuzma
Nate is a hard player to place, because he is streaky. Sometimes his shot is knockdown. Sometimes he’s an absolute killer on defense. But things can change quickly with Nate. That’s why I chose Kuzma. Lots of potential on both ends, and when he’s got it going he’s a beast. I also think the way he meshes with the league is similar. People like playing with both Nate and Kuzma, and people like clowning him from the sidelines. Both are likable guys.
Will B: Aaron Nesmith
This comparison came to me instantly. Who else in the NBA throws their body around in completely unexpected ways? No one I can think of. Another similar facet of their game sis their hustle and ability to be in the right place at the right time.
Max Mellville: Nick Nurse
While Max Melville may not have the basketball IQ of Nick Nurse, he brings a great culture with him. Max has fun in the NSl environment and brings that to his team. Both are young coaches, (Nurse is in his 4th year), and both have big personalities. I do hope Max is not as annoying as Nurse is on the sidelines though.
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