Bored so comparing platoon players to this year minus blue shades

[Jakarii]

Based on each at the same stage(H.S) and no hindsite, a quicker comparison. There will be some who will say this years kids are much better and all great things because they either

A. Have only seen highlight videos so they haven't seen the warts or

B. Because if you look at their past posts/Threads they always say each new class is great and all the players will hit the ground running from day one

Andrew Harrison-Quade Green

Andrew was bigger, better defender against vet guards due to knowledge but Quade is quicker and a better set up man.

Aaron Harrison-Hami Diallo

Aaron was the better shooter and scorer, handles are around the same but Aaron's was tighter in small spaces. Diallo easily the better defender, quicker, better finisher and more athletic

Alex Pothress-Kevin Knox

Alex was the strong, more explosive, better defensive player. Knox has better handles. Both shot around the same low percentage from 3 point range (Alex 28% Kevin 27%) against top competition in the off season

Wenyen Gabriel-WCS
Wenyen is the better shooter,ball handler but WCS better at everything else

KAT-SKJ

KAT better at everything at the same stage

Dakari Johnson-Nick Richards

Dakari was the better offensive player and smarter post defender as well as better rebounder, Nick is the faster, more athletic more versitile defender

Tyler ulis-Shai AG

Tyler pretty much a little better at everything at the same stage while Shai is taller but similar in skill set at the same stage

Devin Booker and Dom -J. Baker

Devin was better at everything and more athletic, But Baker is the more consistent shooter at the same stage. Dom was more athletic, not as good of a shooter, better defender and better at getting to the rack

Trey Lyles-J.Vanderbilt

Trey was the better post player and more consistent midrange shooter at the same stage, Vanderbilt the better ball handler, defender, motor and more athletic

Marcus Lee and D.Willis-P.J Washington

Willis was the better shooter but P.J is the better ball handler, shot blocker, scorer, passer defender. Hard to say with the athleticism, P.J used his better but at the same stage Willis was a very good athlete. Marcus Lee was the better two foot leaper, lower defensive IQ but better shot blocker, worse shooter, worse rebounder technique, positional wise


Overall the platoon team was much better as far as post scoring, better defensively in the post, slower at the guard position but stronger, much better shooting (factor in who has/will play impactful minutes based on the now). The upcoming team is more versatile defensively from 2-4, quicker.

Platoon team was deeper with the additions of Willis and Dom. Platoon team overall a couple levels better due to having sophomores and Jrs on the team so higher basketball IQ due to being more ready from a year or two already playing against college talent.

 

[Jakarii]

I think this team has the ceiling to win it all when looking at this years college competition and the talent that they have but will likely have the same pit falls that the Julius Randle team had but not as much due to the depth and versatility of talent that the Randle team didn't have.

 

[wromanp7]

Good post.

Not directing this at your op or the two teams, but I think "stronger" guards is a little overrated.

Give me handles, passing, and shooting... duh.. but strong, with the way the roofers call it, seems less important than the 80's and prior.

 

[DCFseattle]

You're gonna compare a team almost entirely made up of freshmen, with one sophomore that barely played and another that saw his minutes dwindle over time, to a team that held another Power5 school to 7 GD points in a half? That had Bill Self looking for vodka in his post game press conference?

If that's the standard, this team has no chance of living up to expectations.

 

[Jakarii]

Oh I agree. When the twins first came I thought "strong guards should punish college guards". Learned that quickness and athleticism has a bigger impact

Good post.

Not directing this at your op or the two teams, but I think "stronger" guards is a little overrated.

Give me handles, passing, and shooting... duh.. but strong, with the way the roofers call it, seems less important than the 80's and prior.

 

[Jakarii]

It's only a comparison due to depth, I have zero illusion that this years team is as good as the platoon team. The platoon team is the only team comparable depth wise so that's why I used them, I then compared what throw teams season might look like to the Randle team

You're gonna compare a team almost entirely made up of freshmen, with one sophomore that barely played and another that saw his minutes dwindle over time, to a team that held another Power5 school to 7 GD points in a half? That had Bill Self looking for vodka in his post game press conference?

If that's the standard, this team has no chance of living up to expectations.

 

[JohnBlue_]

Green would have incredibly special before I'd even consider him over Andrew Harrison. Other than that it's nice break down, I enjoy reading these kind of threads.

 

[GoCatsForever2k15]

With respect to platooning/depth in general, I'd much rather have 7 guys who can all fill their roles exceptionally well than 10 guys who, while talented, have glaring weaknesses on the court with virtually any combination. In other words, id much, much rather have a team like 2012 than a team like 2015, even though 2012 wasn't nearly as deep.

 

[UKcatXXXL]

I think the best team to compare this year's team to is 2014. Assuming each team starts five freshmen and has two sophomores as first players off the bench:

Andrew Harrison - Quade Green
Aaron Harrrison - Hamidou DIallo
James Young - Kevin Knox
Julius Randle - J. Vanderbilt
Dakari Johnson - Nick RIchards
WCS- SKJ
Alex Poythress - Wenyen Gabriel
Marcus Lee -- PJ Washington
WIllis -- Jemarl Baker
Hawkins - Shai Alexander

Fairly even overall. Very close on team experience. The 2014 team was better offensively. I think the 2018 team will be a much better defensive team, with better athleticism. More a Classic Cal team.

But I expect similar struggles. I hope a bit less severe because I have a feeling there will be better chemistry next year.

Randle and WCS are the only 2 I'd take from the 2014 squad. Every other spot I'd take the upcoming team.

 

[Nooneputsbabyinacorner]

Tyler pretty much a little better at everything at the same stage while Shai is taller but similar in skill set at the same stage

I just have to say that this is a tad bit optimistic. Tyler Ulis was one of the best college point guards I've seen in years. To say that Tyler is only "a little better" than Alexander is expecting way too much.

 

[BigKari]

Randle and WCS are the only 2 I'd take from the 2014 squad. Every other spot I'd take the upcoming team.

Pretty much feel the same. Give me Poythress over Gabriel tho

 

[Sparkaces1]

The Poythress/Knox comparison is very interesting. Similar size and athletic ability, Knox seems to have a better handle which sets him apart.

 

[Slowwalker]

I just have to say that this is a tad bit optimistic. Tyler Ulis was one of the best college point guards I've seen in years. To say that Tyler is only "a little better" than Alexander is expecting way too much.

The first sentence states that he is doing a comparison of each at the same stage the incoming freshman are at (H.S.). At the same stage, I don't think the idea is that far fetched. After Tyler played with the platoon team, he improved tremendously and came in his sophomore season and like you said, put a performance on that puts him up there with almost any point guard we have seen in a long time.

 

[Jakarii]

Of course you'd take now because you've seen all the nice highlight tapes and seen how they do vs Highschool talent. You may or may not change you're tune midway through the season.

I'm pretty sure before he Twins got to UK many would have taken them over former back courts easily. Many many would have taken Skal over many other bigs.

Pretty much feel the same. Give me Poythress over Gabriel tho

 

[DerekMcPwn]

The Poythress/Knox comparison is very interesting. Similar size and athletic ability, Knox seems to have a better handle which sets him apart.

I would say Knox is also the better shooter of the two at this stage.

 

[Aike]

Knox shot 32% from three in EYBL summer before his Senior year. I expect him to shoot it better than Poythress did and get a lot of opportunities.

 

[JonathanW]

I think a better comparison for next year's team is the 14 team.

 

[docholiday51]

Interesting thread,I think it is more difficult to compare players/teams than it would first appear.We saw Alex,the twins,Ulis,WCS ,Lee, Willis and Hawkins all for at least 2 years,it is hard to separate what we saw when they first got here and what we saw later in the process.We also have only mixed tapes and meaningless all-star games on which to judge incoming players,what they will do in an actual college game is anyone's guess. Some will be more ready to play than others.

Knox vs Alex

Probably the closest comparison in terms of talent,athletic ability and development at this stage

Hawkins vs Alexander

Hawkins has the advantage in athletic ability but Alexander has more size and probably more upside in Cal's system

Aa Harrison vs Diallo is probably a standoff with Diallo being more athletic and potentially a better defender and Harrison being the better shooter

I really don't see much way to compare Willis vs Baker other than 3 pt shooting and you would have to think Baker is ahead of Willis considering both when they got here

we would all hope that P J Washington is farther along in development than was Marcus Lee at entry level

Richards seems to me to be the wildcard in this class,some sort of mix between Johnson, Randle and Bam

Lastly if Green is in the same ballpark as Ulis or Andrew Harrison then he will make his mark from day one,I don't think we have seen indications of that level of development at this point.

 

[Sparkaces1]

I don't think we will be as good at PG as the 2 Harrison years, but I feel like Alexander will be much better than most expect and may even be the starter. To me he and SKJ are the wild cards. Obviously at 2-4 we are as good or better than anybody. I expect Richards to be solid, about the same as Dakari as a Freshman.

 

[wromanp7]

I'd like to see best comps during Cal's tenure.

I HATE comps because they're generally too lazy, but what the hell.

Quade - Teague
Diallo - ??
Knox - ??
Vanderbilt - MKG
PJ - Patterson
Richards - WCS

Lost interest and left out SGA, Baker, WG, SKJ, Tai... Brad.

 

[morgousky]

Pretty much feel the same. Give me Poythress over Gabriel tho

I dont think so, at least I hope not.

I guess it depends on which poythress