Which 2018 NBA Rising Stars Challenge Participants Profile as Future Superstars?
Serviceable in the Frontcourt
John Collins, Atlanta Hawks
| Comparable Seasons | Match % |
|---|---|
| Aaron Williams, 2000-01 | 92.42% |
| Amir Johnson, 2012-13 | 91.93% |
| Gorgui Dieng, 2014-15 | 91.60% |
| Mason Plumlee, 2014-15 | 91.50% |
| Robin Lopez, 2015-16 | 91.43% |
It's not that Collins has been bad. As a matter of fact, his 3.3 nERD makes for a nice rookie season given the Hawks' status as bottom-feeders of the East. His comparables are high and they're not bad. Other than the odd Aaron Williams lead, the next four guys are all very relevant backup bigs in the league today. Much like Dieng in 2014 (9.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.7 blocks), Collins is averaging 10.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks over just 22.3 minutes a game. Expect more from him in the second part of the season and going forward.
Lauri Markkanen, Chicago Bulls
| Comparable Seasons | Match % |
|---|---|
| Lorenzen Wright, 2000-01 | 93.45% |
| Derrick Williams, 2012-13 | 91.82% |
| Emeka Okafor, 2004-05 | 89.94% |
| Primoz Brezec, 2004-05 | 89.49% |
| Jared Sullinger, 2013-14 | 89.43% |
Markkanen probably wishes that his comps were as favorable as Collins'. Basically, these are high draft picks that at early parts of their careers averaged double-digit points from the power forward or center spots. Markkanen's nERD (-1.3) is better than Wright's was in his second (rather than first) NBA season. Plus, in addition to averaging 15.3 points, the 7th overall pick is grabbing 7.7 rebounds and knocking down 2.2 threes as a stretch-four for Chicago.
