Nick Young = a young Rip Hamilton?

by antawnjameson on May 9, 2009 12:02 AM EDT

For each player in the NBA, ESPN's John Hollinger lists an older player who had similar stats when he was the age of the younger player. Who does he compare Nick Young to? Rip Hamilton.

And granted, this is a pretty weak draft, but it still seems a compliment that HoopsHype.com compares two of its projected lottery picks to young Wizards. The site likens Dermar DeRozen (the #8 pick in its mock draft) to Nick Young and compares Terrence Williams (#14) to Dominic McGuire.

This represents the view of the user who wrote the FanPost, and not the entire Bullets Forever community. We're a place of many opinions, not just one.

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Young is going to be a beast i know …. he is Rip with freakish hoops and wingspan … kid just needs to stop the gooffing off and get his mind right ….. i have no dout that he will this is his third year he knows that he has to step it up now,,,, watch for his deffence make a huge jump this upcoming season …. NICK is going to become a focused COLD BLOODED SHOOOTER u all will see

by eltacoman on May 9, 2009 1:38 AM EDT reply actions

i see him as the next Mcgrady … hit the weights Nick

by eltacoman on May 9, 2009 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd actually compare Derozan to McGuire before I compared him to Nick Young

He’s definitely a great athlete, but he lacks a really consistent shooting stroke. Say what you will about Nick Young, but he has one of the best jump shots in the league, to the point where I think it actually borders on elite.

As far as the Hamilton comparison, I think it’s fairly accurate as far as statistics and how I think his career will go, but they have completely different styles. If I had to compare Nick Young to anyone, it would probably be Travis Outlaw if he were three inches shorter.

It’s definitely cool that are young guys are making names for themselves, though.

by pantslessyoda1 on May 9, 2009 12:42 PM EDT reply actions

As a USC student, I disagree.

DeRozan has an extremely underrated shot. His mid-range game is one of the better that I’ve seen. He’s absolute money from 17-feet out. Everyone thinks he doesn’t have a jump shot because he doesn’t shoot 3’s very well. He actually reminds me of a more athletic, young Rip Hamilton. Or, I suppose, a Nick Young.

by benz0 on May 9, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

That sounds fair

I only saw five or six of his games, and most were towards the end of the year when he really seemed to get it together, so I’ll defer to your judgment. Do you think he’ll be able to rebound well in the NBA? His numbers look good, and he seems to have a fairly solid frame, and he’s obviously athletic enough to get up high enough to rebound well.

by pantslessyoda1 on May 9, 2009 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions

It's interesting

I thought this comparison was wacko and that Rip would have Nick lapped, but their numbers are actually pretty similar cumulatively.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=1&=h&p1=hamilri01&y1=2002&=y&p2=youngni01&y2=2009&=&=

http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=0&=h&=y&=h&p3=hamilri01&y3=2002&=y&p4=youngni01&y4=2009

Rip got more shots and contributed a bit more in other parts of the game, but Nick actually shot a better percentage.

Their games aren’t similar, but it’s interesting to see that Rip got his chances to play consistently (except that one stretch in 01/02 where Doug Collins started Bobby Simmons instead of him), while Nick really hasn’t.

(Of course, it’s also worth noting that Nick’s season last year was very statistically similar to Courtney Alexander’s 2001/02 season).

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on May 9, 2009 1:19 PM EDT reply actions

Statistically similar - without comparing the relative strengths and weaknesses

Comparing stats is nice…. and in an off-season when there’s very little Wizards news to talk about (until the Lottery anyway)…. it’s probably one thing we can do… but it’s my opinion that Nick has a higher upside than where Rip ended up.

Nick is one of only a handful of players in the league that can truely create a shot. Not just any shot, but a clear look… a good shot.
Rip needs constant motion, screens, and plays to get his shots… Like Kobe, Nick just needs the ball.

WHOA, WHOA – I’m not comparing Nick to Kobe Bryant… but like Kobe, he has the physical tools. He’s big (6’7"), got a tremendous wingspan (7-ft), good hops (40.5" max vert) and has a slight fade away on his jumper. He’s got outstanding footwork, good handle for a SG, and an assortment of jabs, fakes and pivots that help him create separation.

Those same physical tools (along with huge quick hands and good lateral quickness) some additional coaching, some added strength and more experience may produce another benefit that Rip Hamilton lacks. Defense. I was very encouraged at the end of last year by the way Nick played defense. He seemed to really buckle down, got into a defensive stance, and made an effort to fight through screens and close out on shooters. The last couple of weeks especially, I would say that his defense was very good. That’s a huge improvement over “terrible”, “putrid” and other descriptive remarks I’ve heard (and said)about his defensive efforts his first couple of years in the League. I think Nick has the potential to be a true lock-down defender.

Weaknesses? Because he has relied on his natural abilities until now, he’s just learning how to play within an Offensive scheme. He needs to learn how to curl off screens (like Rip)…. and needs to cultivate the ability to catch-and-shoot (right now, he’s better with one or two dribbles).

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on May 9, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions

This is on the money

Nick would become absurdly dangerous if he could create open shots without the ball. I mean, he shoots a reasonable percentage now with most of his shots being off balance fadeaways from 15+ feet out, can you imagine what he’d do if he was actually able to get open? I could easily see his field goal percentage going over 50 percent, which is pretty phenomenal for a volume shooter.

by pantslessyoda1 on May 9, 2009 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions

It's weird how Nick Young actually averaged fewer turnovers per 36 minutes

Especially considering how much dribbling he does and how little I assume Rip dribbled back then.

by pantslessyoda1 on May 9, 2009 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Astounding

My first thought was Ricky Davis.

Its astounding to me that Nick can average over 20 minutes per game and not break 2 in any other statistical category. Per 36 minutes only rebounds crack 2 (2.9). This is why Tap gave him the hook if he wasn’t producing early. He knew he wouldn’t get anything else from him.

Nick has the potential. I’m not sure he is willing to put the time and effort into his game. Have I mentioned my concern over Blatche’s influence? I think I may have.

by Jheiser3 on May 9, 2009 10:01 PM EDT reply actions

I agree about Blatche

I mean, I don’t really know what goes on in that locker room, but it really seems like Young has taken to Blatche (or vice versa), whereas it seems like D-Mcguire distanced himself from all the BS this year (and we saw how that worked out). I really think the best hope for Young is that Gilbert gets serious and starts becoming a leader this year and really takes him under his wing, because I think Gil is probably the one other guy that NY really looks up to.

I think it may be a make-or-break year for NY’s career in terms of effort and how much he works to improve his game. Is he going to be an NBA starter or a career backup?

Getting buckets since 2003.

by Icantfeelmyface on May 11, 2009 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions

In a way yes

But I think he can be a little more physical inside then Rip ever was. Rip never dunked or anything too flashy. I do not think Nick is as good of a shooter as Rip, but is still has very good range. But Nick can go inside very well.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on May 14, 2009 11:13 AM EDT reply actions