The Closest Comparisons Of Young NBA Players To All-Time Greats

Comparing some of the best talent in the NBA today to the players of the past based on how similar their play styles are.

 

NICK MAC

 

SEP 17, 2023

 

NBA ANALYSIS

 

MICHAEL JORDAN

 

LARRY BIRD

 

LUKA DONCIC

 

RUSSELL WESTBROOK

 

STEPHEN CURRY

 

DIRK NOWITZKI

 

One of the most polarizing conversations in the NBA community today is the comparisons between different eras and the stars who helped define them. Unfortunately, those conversations have turned into completely disrespectful ones aimed to degrade and discredit the career resumes of NBA stars both of the past and present. Nowadays, all NBA fans want to do is prove which era is better so they can somehow prop their favorite players up for a nonsensical all-time ranking that won’t even matter 20 years from now.

 

The real comparison that we should be doing is using what we have seen with our own eyes and talking about how these players are similar, and how each player has helped grow the game of basketball. That is exactly what we are set to do here today. Instead of aiming to downplay an NBA legend’s career, we wish to celebrate them by pointing out the likeness of these young stars who are set to be the faces of the league to the NBA stars of the past who paved the way.

 

These comparisons can hopefully bridge the gap, even just slightly, between two eras of NBA fans who can seemingly never agree on anything when it comes to the game of basketball. These are the closest comparisons of young NBA players to all-time greats.

 

 

The similarities between Ja Morant and Russell Westbrook in his prime days with the Oklahoma City Thunder are glaringly obvious. Both are incredibly explosive point guards who thrive on their ability to attack the rim in a flash of bursting speed. They both possess the relentless ability to get to the basket with exceptional ball-handling skills to get past their defenders and finish with rim-rocking dunks or acrobatic layups.

 

This fearlessness in attacking the rim coupled with their athleticism and leaping ability have made them each constant threats in the open court and in transition. They are both prone to stuffing the stats sheet as well. They each possess the ability to rack up triple-doubles due to their scoring, playmaking, and rebounding. Of course, Morant has a ton of work to do in order to catch the NBA’s record-holder in that regard.

 

Like Westbrook, Morant is fantastic at grabbing defensive rebounds and immediately getting fast breaks going in order to create the easiest opportunities to score both for himself and his teammates. While there are differences in their play styles as well, their similar athleticism, explosiveness, and versatility make them a lot more alike than many would think.

 

 

At first glance, you may think I am crazy for even thinking of comparing these two but this is as easy as it gets. First, let us talk about the uniquely similar ways in which each of these players can score on offense. Despite McGrady being a much more dominant scorer in his prime, you can see the same silky-smooth shooting stroke from each of them as well as the use of their length to rise above defenders with ease. This also applies to their ability to create separation with their step-back-side-step shots.

 

Each of these players is also known for their ability to step up in the clutch. Sure, Jayson Tatum has already been to four Conference Finals and one NBA Finals and McGrady never made it past the first round in his prime. However, this is more about their confidence and composure during big moments that make them such similar players. I mean 13 points in 33 seconds is still incredible to think about.

 

With their known ability to be 30.0 points per game scorers and step up in big moments for their teams, it is no wonder why many have begun to compare the two in terms of play styles.

 

 

While Zion Williamson has struggled to remain on the court during the early part of his NBA career, Charles Barkley put forth one of the greatest careers by a power forward in NBA history. They are both known to have been heavily criticized for their weight but that is far from the only similarity they share as players in the NBA.

 

First, they are both considered to be undersized power forwards who excel on the court due to their athletic ability and savage approach to playing the position. Standing at 6’6’’ and 6’7’’ respectively, both Barkley and Williamson possess the strength and agility to overpower and get around bigger opponents while making a move to the rim.

 

Barkley may be the accomplished rebounder right now, but Williamson has definitely shown that to be a strong part of his game as well. It may be early in Zion’s career and he is nowhere near the Hall of Famer Barkley is, but with improved health and work ethic, there is no doubt that he can work his way up to Barkley’s level eventually.

 

Lauri Markkanen To Dirk Nowitzki

 

Once again, I need the entire basketball world to calm down and realize that I am not putting these young stars on the same level as these NBA legends just yet. I am however pointing out how similar they are in their playing style. When it comes to Lauri Markkanen and Dirk Nowitzki, these two are far more similar than meets the eye.

 

Both are tall and skilled power forwards who can score in a variety of ways which includes their shooting ability from the outside. While Nowitzki was a killer with his patented one-legged fadeaway and from three, Markkanen has begun to hit his stride on the offensive end in a similar fashion. With these abilities, Markkanen and Nowitzki force opposing big men further out than they are comfortable with which issues more spacing and freedom for their offense to flow in.

 

They were also as smooth and displayed as much finesse with their post-up games. Nowitzki is of course one of the greatest with his back to the backest and is in many ways just a much more polished version of Markkanen. Nowitzki laid the groundwork for tall forwards who could stretch the floor. Markkanen has only just begun to tap into that part of his game and add to that legacy.

 

Donovan Mitchell To Dwyane Wade

 

 

As two extremely athletic and savvy shooting guards, Donovan Mitchell and Dwyane Wade exhibit many strikingly similar traits in their game. The first similarity that has to be mentioned is not only the fact that they are elite athletes but also the way in which they use that athleticism to gain an advantage on the court. Given both of their talent as scorers, they each draw a ton of attention on the offensive end and became adept at finishing tough shots whether that be driving to the rim or on mid-range attempts.

 

Both Wade and Mitchell have both shown the ability to step up their game when it matters most. Of course, Wade is seen as slightly more clutch due to the fact that he displayed this while becoming a three-time NBA champion while Mitchell is still chasing his first championship ring. Also, Wade was known for his defensive prowess and overall two-way ability on the court. Although Mithcell isn’t as accomplished, his willingness to commit to improving that part of his game as well as the cast improvement we have already seen from him is another striking similarity between these two stars.

 

While Wade and Mitchell’s NBA resumes and accolades do not quite match up just yet, there is no way you cannot be reminded of Wade’s glory days when Mitchell gets into a groove on the court.

 

Anthony Edwards To Michael Jordan

 

I know at first glance there are going to be fans who are screaming at their screens on how blasphemous this take is. For just one minute, I will need the Michael Jordan fanbase to hear somebody out for once.

 

We all know that Michael Jordan’s first step off the dribble is one of the best we have ever seen. One glance at Anthony Edwards, when he is on his game, will tell you that he possesses the same speed and attack mode that we saw from MJ for most of his career. When you add in the way they could both finish through contact with explosive leaping ability and athleticism, it is no wonder we are here making this comparison.

 

Edwards and Jordan are both also extremely confident in their offensive skills, taking defenders off the dribble in an almost simple fashion and destroying opponents in isolation sets. Jordan and Edwards also want nothing more than to be the go-to guy for their respective teams, showing a relentless work ethic and will to constantly work on their craft. Again, I am not saying that Anthony Edwards is anything close to the GOAT but you would have to be completely clueless to not see the similarities in their games at this point in time.

 

Trae Young To Stephen Curry

 

 

Trae Young and Stephen Curry are the two best-undersized point guards in the NBA today. Both are extremely well-rounded players who have been only criticized when it comes to their shortcomings on the defensive side of the ball. Of course, their defensive deficiencies aside, their playmaking and outside shooting are among the best in the league and where they draw the most similarities in their games.

 

Each of these players has revolutionized the game of basketball with their ability to shoot from deep. While Curry is the greatest three-point shooter ever and ushered in the three-point era, Young has become part of the younger generation of players who have carried that torch. This remains true even if Curry is more efficient on a higher volume of attempts.

 

They are also two of the craftiest and most creative players with the ball in their hands. Young has shown that when the ball is in his hands, he can make any pass at any time and all defenders must have their heads on a swivel. Although Curry’s playmaking is more lethal off the ball, this applies to him as well.

 

Luka Doncic To Larry Bird

 

The comparison between Luka Doncic and Larry Bird has been made ever since we first got a glimpse of Doncic in the NBA just five seasons ago. Mostly, fans and analysts alike have pointed out the fact that they are both “unathletic” players who tore up the NBA by slowing down the pace of the game to pick apart defenses but that is far from their only similar trait.

 

They also have displayed exceptionally high basketball IQ and versatile skills on the offensive side of the ball. Bird and Doncic each display 20/20 court vision from their respective positions combined with accurate and mostly mistake-free passing. Each of their teams became much more potent offensive once they honed their passing skills and used their size to create mismatches for better chances for them and their teammates.

 

One final similarity of note is their incredible scoring versatility. Both Bird and Doncic have the innate ability to pick apart defense from the inside and outside although we all know Bird was much more deadly from the perimeter than Doncic. They each displayed crafty footwork, soft touch, and an undeniable ability to be relied upon in the most painstaking moments of the game. When it comes to Luka Doncic and Larry Bird, you would have to be legally blind to not be able to see just how similar they are on the court.