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Indiana Pacers: Player comparisons for Malcolm Brogdon, Domantas Sabonis

By Tyler Siebert

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 01: Domantas Sabonis #11 and T.J. McConnell #9 of the Indiana Pacers celebrate against the New York Knicks in the second half of a game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 1, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Knicks defeated the Pacers 92-85. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 01: Domantas Sabonis #11 and T.J. McConnell #9 of the Indiana Pacers celebrate against the New York Knicks in the second half of a game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 1, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Knicks defeated the Pacers 92-85. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Finding player comparisons for Indiana Pacers stars Domantas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon 

The 2016 NBA Draft has proven to be a very talent-filled draft. The buzz around the league was Ben Simmons, Ben Simmons, and Ben Simmons. Everyone knew he was going to get selected first. The most interesting about this draft to me is not how many stars ended up being in this draft, but how many great role players, solid players, and impactful players are sprinkled throughout the first and second round.

Interestingly enough, the Indiana Pacers (ironically, without a lottery pick that year) have come away with two of the best players from the class. In an attempt to put their talents in context, we searched for an ideal player comparison for each of these two stars.

Player comparison for Indiana Pacers star Malcolm Brogdon

Comparison: Bigger Andre Miller

There are three reasons Malcolm Brogdon and Andre Miller similar. One, their numbers. Two, their styles of play. Three, their look and mannerisms.

Here’s the case for their numbers,

  • Miller- career points, rebounds, and assists per game: 12.5 points, 6.5 assists, and 3.7 rebounds
  • Brogdon- career points, rebounds, and assists per game: 14.4 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.1 rebounds

Now, Brogdon has more responsibility on his team than Miller ever had in his career, so it is likely that Brogdon’s points per game will likely go up as he will get more shots and have the ball in his hands more.

Offensively, they both almost identical. Nothing flashy, and even have an unorthodox release on their jump shot, and both barely leave the ground on their jump shot as well. Their ball-handling moves are quick and tight, yet effective. Nothing more than a quick crossover, or between the legs move to get to their spot.

One last thing about their ball-handling is that they each are great at keeping their dribble alive. Very seldom do you see either guy pick up their dribble, get stuck, and be forced to pass. They’re both extremely fundamentally sound on both ends.

Lastly, their look and mannerisms. Brogdon is a few inches taller and a bit more athletic than miller but each guy is either average or below average height by NBA standards. They each play low to the ground and aren’t super fast as well. Similar build, Brogdon is listed at 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, while Miller was listed at around 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds.

Brogdon overall is a better player. Brogdon to me is Andre Miller with a few more attributes. Both great players. Brogdon has a higher ceiling and will have more individual accolades.

Player comparisons for Indiana Pacers star Domantas Sabonis

Comparison: Taller, Longer David Lee

Domantas Sabonis and David Lee, two lefty power forwards who play exactly the same. They can each stretch the floor however for both guys it is not their biggest strength. Sabonis and Lee each make their presence felt on the glass.

Sabonis this season is giving the Indiana Pacers 21 points and 12 rebounds a game, along with 5.7 assists per game. Now, David Lee never averaged more than 3.5 assists in a season. However, Lee’s numbers from 2008-13 as far as points per game and rebounds per game are very similar to the type of numbers Sabonis averages this season.

These are Lee’s points and rebounds per game totals in those seasons:

  • 2008-09: 16 points,11.7. rebounds
  • 2009-10: 20.2 points, 11.7 rebounds
  • 2010-11: 16.5 points, 9.8 rebounds
  • 2011-12: 20.1 points, 9.6 rebounds
  • 2012-13: 18.5 points, 11.2 rebounds
  • 2013-14: 18.2 points, 9.3 rebounds

The numbers are similar, their playstyles are similar; the only difference to me is Sabonis’s playmaking and size. Lee is a bit smaller at 6-foot-9 while Sabonis is 6-foot-11. Both are great players, I think Sabonis’s ceiling is higher than Lee’s just because Sabonis has shown us already that he is one of the league’s best young players.

Next. NBA: A way-too-early reassessment of the top 10 picks in the 2020 draft. dark

David Lee had a nice long career that featured a championship, and two all-star game selections. But I don’t think I’ve ever thought he was one of the best in the league even during his peak years.

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