Deni Avdija, Modern Forwards and Breaking my own Cardinal Rule

I'm not typically big on player comparisons. I've been vocal on opposing the tactic because, no matter how much you say you're comparing apples to oranges, someone else will see it as apples to apples.

Comparisons really fall into three categories: play style, player impact and physical similarities.

For example, Lauri Markkanen was likened during the pre-draft process with Ryan Anderson and Nikola Mirotic, two stretch-forwards who will fill a similar role or style to Markkanen. But in doing so, the comparisons identified an inherent ceiling that Markkanen was perceived to have: that he'd be little more than a stretch big and might have shortcomings of how he impacts the game akin to Anderson and Mirotic.

Others are lumped into categories based on the statistical impact they had in college and get put against the mold of a player with similar stats but drastically different style. Take Marvin Bagley from Duke, a hyper-athletic mismatch frontcourt guy. He saw comparisons to Chris Bosh (likely since both are left-handed) despite Bosh being a fantastic shooter, a master of fundamentals and someone who didn't rely on his athleticism.

Some comparisons are pretty lazy and based solely on the physical characteristics. Jonathan Isaac, for example, as a long-armed and wiry 6'10", was given the Kevin Durant comparison despite the two playing polar opposite styles of basketball and having largely differing impacts. Jordan Clarkson, as a bigger guard, received comparisons to Michael Carter-Williams. Clarkson is one of the better scoring reserves in the NBA and shoots 36.8 percent from deep. Not exactly an accurate comparison.

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