Wiggins. You really really love Noels by the way. Putting him in the same sentence as Davis is just unfair to Noel.
I like dominant defensive bigs, but I also like well-rounded elite scorers. I like both of those guys. I'm bummed we couldn't land Noel for Rondo during the 2013 draft... I'm equally bummed we missed out on a top 3 pick during the 2014 draft. BOth of those guys look like they are going to be perennial all-stars.
And is it actually unfair to Noel to compare him to Davis? Davis is a better scorer. Are we sure Noel isn't going to be a better defender?
Yes Davis has transcendent athleticism and is in legitimate conversation for MVP this year at 23 years old. He is having one of the best statistical seasons in the history of the NBA. Comparing a guy that is having a really nice rookie season to him is just stupid and pointless and again even unfair to Noel. I know you are smarter and more realistic than this. Is the hyperbole really that necessary to express that you like him?
But he was pointing out that they had similar rookie seasons. Nothing wrong with that at all, you know when the stats show they did in fact have similar rookie seasons.
Rookie Davis per 100 possessions: 25.5 points, 15.3 rebounds, 2.2 steals, 3.3 blocks, 56 TS%, .159 WS/48.
Rookie Noel per 100 possessions: 16.1 points, 13.2 rebounds, 2.9 steals, 3.1 blocks, 50 TS%, .084 WS/48.
Only David Robinson has done what Davis did as rookie. I started watching more of Noel since New Year and he can definitely be as good a defender as Davis, but they weren't that close statistically as rookies. Davis was much better.
So even that stats part isn't accurate. It just makes our board look bad when we make such outlandish comparisons. I don't think even the strongest Philly homers are making a Noel Davis comparison. I get the shtick, say outlandish things and try to get a rise out of people, but sometimes it's just derails a good conversation.
Um Anthony Davis and Nerlens Noel rookie stats. I'll let you guess which one is Davis and which one is Noel
13.5 p, 8.2 r, 1.0 a, 1.2 s, 1.8 b - 28.8 minutes 51.6 from the field, 75.1 from the line
10.0 p, 8.2 r, 1.7 a, 1.8 s, 1.9 b - 31 minutes 46.3 from the field, 61.4 from the line
And Noel's stats will end better than they are now as he has gotten significantly better as he recovers from a devastating knee injury.