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What About the Other "Nexts" in the NBA?
05/24/06
by JT
So Lebron has finally exited the playoffs and hopefully we will all be spared the uber-media hype machine touting Lebron as the "next Magic" or "next Jordan" for at least a couple of weeks. After all this has been one of the most entertaining playoffs in recent memory and, shockingly, their are other players in the playoffs outside of Lebron James. I've never understood the media's obsession with labeling players as the "next" great player, especially in the case of Lebron. The way I see it, he is the first player to average over 30 ppg at his age, and has set several records for the fastest time reaching different NBA milestones, so shouldn't we be calling him the "first Lebron James"? Why is it that anytime a good young player enters the league they are automatically dubbed the "next (insert former NBA great name here)"? There have been quite a few "next Jordan" players to rise and fall. There was Jerry Stackhouse, Vince Carter, Harold Miner (extremely premature on that one), and now Lebron James and Kobe Bryant. Penny Hardaway and Grant Hill were both the "next Magic" as some now call Sean Livingston. Every single good white player over 6'8" has been dubbed the "next Larry Bird" regardless if they actually play anything like Larry Legend.
So here is the ultimate question. Why is it that only the players whom were NBA legends earn the right to have future players to be called the "Next ______"? Why doesn't your average to below average player earn the right to have forthcoming NBA hopefuls named in their moniker? In most cases these would be more accurate. Why can't we say that Doug Christie is the "Next Bill Hanzlik"? Their stats and playing styles are most likely more similar than the players the media so enjoys hyping. So I have come up with a list of slightly above average to average players in the NBA and given them their very own "next" label. Hopefully they can live up to these lofty expectations, and the pressure of these epithets donned upon them won't ruin their somewhat decent careers.
Raef Lafrentz is the "Next Sam Perkins" -
There are very few 7 footers who display a deft outside shot, enjoy shooting the 3 and avoid the paint like David Alan Grier avoids success. Both Lafrentz and Perkins have career averages of about 11 ppg and around 6 rebounds, and both get to the free throw line less than 3 times per game in their careers. That kind of aggressiveness in a 7 footer cannot be taught. Of course you can't teach someone to be a sweet shooting lefty either. In a side note, when I played against Lafrentz in college he was absolutely unguardable in the low post. Then he arrived in the NBA and the pressure of trying to be the "Next Perkins" got to him as he tried too hard to play the Perkins way.
Lafrentz and Perkins both attempt a rare two point shot
Andrew Bogut is the "Next Jack Sikma"-
Anyone who has played basketball is most likely familiar with the "Sikma Drill". In which you stand under the basket and do as many left handed and right handed hook shot lay-ups possible in a 30 second time frame. Jack Sikma was so fundamentally sound that his game films could very easily cause all of your high school coaches to simultaneously ejaculate in glee. Similarly, Andrew Bogut's size and fundamental skills earned him the top pick in last years NBA draft. Granted, the inevitable comparisons to Sikma have yet to arise but give the big Australian a chance, he's only 21 years old. It'll take a few years of semi-respectable play to allow those types of comparisons. But you heard it here first, in 20 years time, young kids will be disinterestedly doing "Bogut drills" as their coaches watch on and their teammates make fun of how gay they look trying to shoot with their left hand.
The similarities between these two don't stop at just the cool hair
Ben Gordon is the "next Vinnie Johnson" -
Vinnie "The Microwave" Johnson was an undersized two guard who could heat up in a hurry off the bench, thus the nickname the Microwave. Vinnie was the type of player who believed it was his God given right to shoot the ball every single time he touched it. Ben Gordon must have studied the Gospel of the Microwave. The similarities are uncanny. Both were top 7 picks, both grew up in New York (although in one of the most random NBA facts, Ben Gordon was born in London, England), both provide a spark off the bench, and both averaged more than a shot per every 2 minutes of game time for their careers. This means they will both shoot at least every other time down the court... and they don't care. Ben will need to provide some longevity to his career before truly being the "Next Vinnie Johnson", but the foundation has definitely been set.
JJ Redick is the "Next Jeff Hornacek" -
Some of you out there may say "JT isn't this a bit premature? We shouldn't put this kind of pressure on Redick, he hasn't even been drafted yet!" To those of you whom may be thinking this I have this to say... don't ever question me again or you will pay a dear price! This is exactly the time to start making outlandish comparisons and statements like, "by the time it's all said and done, JJ Redick will be the next Jeff Hornacek." Christ, they started saying Harold Miner was the "next Jordan" when he was a Junior at USC. Let's just say that I know a thing or two about slow, white guys who can shoot. And these two may very well end up being the two best shooting, slowest, whitest players in the history of the NBA. Mark my words.
Both Redick and Hornacek are white and can shoot. Although JJ may never be as
geeky as Hornacek.
Andre Miller is the "Next Fat Lever" -
Here is an interesting stat. From 1987-1989 Fat Lever (at only 6'3") averaged 18.5 ppg, 8 assists, and 9 rebounds. That is nearly a triple double for 3 straight seasons. Another interesting stat. Andre Miller led the league in assists four years ago. Both players are the same size, both play for the Nuggets, and both have a similar playing style. All that Andre Miller needs to do now to live up to this hype is start rebounding more and adopt a nickname that could be considered abusive. I'd go with something like "Obese" Miller, or "Slothful" Miller.
"Slothful" Miller the next "Fat"
Lever?
Jumaine Jones is the "Next Antoine Carr" -
Antoine Carr was known by many as the "Original Big Dog". We was known by even more as "that big dude with the beard who wears Oakley's during the game". In his day Carr was a big body who preferred the 18 foot jumper over the occasional rebound. Fast forward to modern day and you have virtually the same player developing in Jumaine Jones. Both listed at 6'8" and 220+ pounds, it just remains to be seen if Jones can fully live up to this expectation and one day wear a skiers eye protection during an NBA game. Only time will tell.
Jumaine Jones has yet to earn his Oakleys
There are so many others out there. Who will become the "Next Rudy Tomjonovich"? Or the "Next Kevin Duckworth"? There is no way to be sure. But I do wish that the media could give these lesser known athletes their due praise. After all, not everyone can be the next NBA icon, but they very well may be the next Wayman Tisdale. Or maybe the media can just stop trying to label every great player that comes into the league and simply enjoy watching them play.
Will the future bring the "Next Kevin Duckworth"?
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