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NBA Rookie Role Models: Is Jabari Parker the next Paul Pierce?

By HP Basketball Network

Feb 18, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jabari Parker (1) shoots a basket over Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets forward Robert Carter, Jr. (4) in the first half at Hank McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jabari Parker (1) shoots a basket over Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets forward Robert Carter, Jr. (4) in the first half at Hank McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 20, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard/forward Kyle Anderson sticks out his tongue during practice before the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard/forward Kyle Anderson sticks out his tongue during practice before the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Kyle Anderson, this could be you: Boris Diaw

By William Bohl (@breakthehuddle)

Before Boris Diaw signed a 3-year, $22 million extension this summer, before he reinvigorated his career in San Antonio, before he became the butt (pun intended) of every post-lockout player weight gain joke, the French native was an oversized wing with superior ball handling skills, stellar court vision and the ability to defend on the perimeter. He started at shooting guard early in his career before morphing into a power forward for the ‘7 Seconds or Less’ Suns, and nowadays he primarily serves as the Spurs’ ultra-efficient backup center.

Sporting a 58.7% true shooting percentage and averaging nearly 4 assists per-36 minutes during his time in a Spurs uniform, Diaw’s function within San Antonio’s offense is to set screens, shoot open threes, and use his passing skills to keep the ball moving. It’s a far cry from the overweight, apathetic player who had more shot attempts than points during his final season in Charlotte. He was waived on March 21st, 2012, picked up two days later by the Spurs, and almost immediately began to fix his reputation within the soothing atmosphere of Gregg Popovich’s offense.

Kyle Anderson is around the same size (they’re both listed at 6’8), though he is a bit slimmer (230 to Diaw’s 250ish), a little longer (the UCLA product has a 7’2 wingspan) and currently possesses enough athleticism and youth to guard perimeter players. But he should look up to the way Diaw molded his game (though not his doughy frame) to fit in the Spurs’ scheme. Anderson had the ball in his hands an awful lot at UCLA, but there are questions about whether or not he has the speed and agility required to drive into the paint against NBA-caliber defenders. If he follows Diaw’s lead, he’ll use his other attributes to carve out a niche on the team and in the league. There will always be a place for good passers, defenders, screen-setters and guys who can hit open threes without jacking up too many shots.

To Anderson’s benefit, he doesn’t have to hit rock bottom before finding himself employed by the greatest organization in professional sports. He gets to begin his career wearing a San Antonio Spurs jersey. If he’s wise, the rookie will at least consider Diaw’s story, and emulate the finer points of his game as well.

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