10 Player comparisons for up-and-coming NBA stars

Franz Wagner = Detlef Schrempf

This one is about as straightforward as it can get. Both Wagner and Schrempf are tall, foreign players that have shown a keen ability to set their teammates up for high-percentage opportunities.

Not only is their playmaking impressive at the forward spot, but they also both have proven to be effective at making jump shots. And, for what it’s worth, both of them were the eighth overall pick in their respective draft classes.

The next step that Wagner needs to take for this comparison to come true is on the defensive end. Per 100 possessions, Schrempf has a defensive rating of 107 for his career. As for Wagner, he currently sits at 115.

Bennedict Mathurin = Jamal Mashburn

Much like Mathurin, Jamal Mashburn came out of the gates as a proven scorer.

• 1993-1994 = 19.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.1 SPG, 40.6% FG, 28.4% 3PT, 69.9% FT
• 1994-1995 = 24.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.0 APG, 43.6% FG, 32.8% 3PT, 73.9% FT
• 1995-1996 = 23.4 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.8 APG, 0.8 SPG, 37.9% FG, 34.3% 3PT, 72.9% FT

One common theme that we see in just a couple of Mashburn’s first few seasons that we have so far with Mathurin is inconsistency. As time went along, this would be less of an issue for the 2003 NBA All-Star.

The comparison starts with the way they maneuver with the ball, as well as their sneaky athleticism and fondness for the three-point shot. Mathurin may be a couple of inches shorter than Mashburn, but both of them still manage to make their defender look at least half a foot shorter than them on a majority of plays.

Trey Murphy III = Dale Ellis

This is a sneaky comparison for a player like Murphy. While he has shown us that he is one of the best young three-point shooters currently in the league since his debut, what he showed to us at the NBA All-Star break is how he can also get up with the best of them.

Both Murphy and Dale Ellis have been used at the small forward position on many occasions, yet both of them play like shooting guards with a height advantage.

The versatile wing prototype of today would likely put the world more on notice of how ideal this era would be for Ellis. Now, the question remains about whether Murphy can muster up a few seasons averaging more than 20 points per game.