Closer Look: Otto Porter

[Derek]

I don't really like the comparisons people are throwing out for Porter either. I don't know who I'd compare him to, I just know I don't want him :chuckles:

 

[Nathan S]

You've been talking up Porter consistently. Who do you see him as? I've seen you refute a lot of comparisons but haven't seen you make one.

As with most players, I don't think there's anyone who's a good direct comparison. Can think of him as a Shane Battier/Kawhi Leonard type player, but with much higher upside on offense. It's really hard to find guys who have his offensive skillset at his age. You can try, if you like. I did a sports-reference search for freshman/sophomore players at his position who averaged at least 15 points on 55% true shooting, 2 assists, and less than 2 turnovers per game (Porter's numbers were 16.2, 59%, 2.7, 1.5), and it comes up with one guy from the last 16 seasons (and that one guy was basically a poor man's Steve Novak who's not similar at all in actual gameplay).

 

[TyGuy]

It's very difficult to find a comparison for Porter. I have heard Danny Granger, Shane Battier, Paul Pierce (lol) some people even mentioned LeBron (minus the athleticism, ridiculous). He isn't as good of a scorer as Granger in my opinion, but he is a much better passer(probably his best comparison as far as the tier he would be on at his peak). Shane Battier is a pretty poor comparison, Porter has much more scoring tools and I think you can run the offense through him a bit. Paul Pierce, doesn't have his scoring prowess, but can do a little of everything like Paul can. LeBron James... come on, it isn't athletic ability that separates these guys. I have heard people mention Danny Green, but I think Porter does quite a bit more. Danny is a train wreck when he puts the ball on the floor, Porter isn't very crafty with the ball, but he can dribble, find people and score around the basket.

Now that I think about it Scottie Pippen might be his best comparison as far as what each player is capable of( I don't think he would be on his tier). He doesn't have anywhere near Scotties athleticism, and I think it would be a bit much to have Porter play point forward like Scottie, but both guys can do a little bit of everything. Shoot, handle, pass, score, defend, both with a very slender and tall frame. Scottie would have clear advantage in defense, but I would give Porter the edge on shooting even with his funky McGunk shot.

 

[Mr. MacPhisto]

If we use our top pick on a Shane Battier-type player, that will be the most underwhelming #1 pick in some time.

He said he's a team first Shane Battier type - that doesn't mean he ends up as Battier. It is more an expression of his attitude than anything.

The key is the close of the analysis - he has a decent chance to be one of the best SFs in the game.

 

[Mr. MacPhisto]

It's very difficult to find a comparison for Porter. I have heard Danny Granger, Shane Battier, Paul Pierce (lol) some people even mentioned LeBron (minus the athleticism, ridiculous). He isn't as good of a scorer as Granger in my opinion, but he is a much better passer(probably his best comparison as far as the tier he would be on at his peak). Shane Battier is a pretty poor comparison, Porter has much more scoring tools and I think you can run the offense through him a bit. Paul Pierce, doesn't have his scoring prowess, but can do a little of everything like Paul can. LeBron James... come on, it isn't athletic ability that separates these guys. I have heard people mention Danny Green, but I think Porter does quite a bit more. Danny is a train wreck when he puts the ball on the floor, Porter isn't very crafty with the ball, but he can dribble, find people and score around the basket.

Now that I think about it Scottie Pippen might be his best comparison as far as what each player is capable of( I don't think he would be on his tier). He doesn't have anywhere near Scotties athleticism, and I think it would be a bit much to have Porter play point forward like Scottie, but both guys can do a little bit of everything. Shoot, handle, pass, score, defend, both with a very slender and tall frame. Scottie would have clear advantage in defense, but I would give Porter the edge on shooting even with his funky McGunk shot.

I agree 100% with the comparison to Pippen. I don't think he'd be quite up to Pippen at the top level, but he certainly could have the capability to score from all over the court, play defense, and do some ball distribution (though not, as you said, up to Pippen's Point Forward level). I'd also agree that he doesn't have the same upside on defense as Pippen, but I also don't think he'll be a bad defender. I actually think he can be above average, but Pippen was a great defender. I think Porter could top out at good to very good. Porter has a well balanced game. He's not the guy you build everything around, but we already have one of those. Porter works well as a #2 or #3 option on offense.

 

[Bob_The_Cat]

I agree 100% with the comparison to Pippen. I don't think he'd be quite up to Pippen at the top level, but he certainly could have the capability to score from all over the court, play defense, and do some ball distribution (though not, as you said, up to Pippen's Point Forward level). I'd also agree that he doesn't have the same upside on defense as Pippen, but I also don't think he'll be a bad defender. I actually think he can be above average, but Pippen was a great defender. I think Porter could top out at good to very good. Porter has a well balanced game. He's not the guy you build everything around, but we already have one of those. Porter works well as a #2 or #3 option on offense.

In other words, a poor man's Scottie Pippen.

 

[Revenged25]

In other words, a poor man's Scottie Pippen.

And a Poor man's Scottie Pippen is still better than a Ben Wallace or Tony Allen...

 

[EdMonix11]

And a Poor man's Scottie Pippen is still better than a Ben Wallace or Tony Allen...

While we're at it, a rich man's Pippen is a LeBron James!

 

[Nathan S]

Pippen averaged 1.6 assists and 3.2 turnovers per game his sophomore year, compared to 2.7 and 1.5 for Porter. Porter definitely has the potential to be as good a passer as Pippen was.

 

[shoes22]

And a Poor man's Scottie Pippen is still better than a Ben Wallace or Tony Allen...

Is it? Ben Wallace was the best defensive player in the NBA for 4 years. Tony Allen is becoming an elite defender as well.

Pippen averaged 1.6 assists and 3.2 turnovers per game his sophomore year, compared to 2.7 and 1.5 for Porter. Porter definitely has the potential to be as good a passer as Pippen was.

Porter may hold his own as a passer, but I don't think it's realistic to think he'll be as good of a scorer as Pippen was.

 

[AZ_]

And a Poor man's Scottie Pippen is still better than a Ben Wallace or Tony Allen...

This is like the tri-fecta of shitty comparisons.

I applaud you, sir.

 

[1B4IGO]

If Otto is anything like Pippen that's a great pick. I think Otto is a better passer than Scottie was at their ages and he has a very similar if not higher basketball IQ. If there are questions about Noel I would be very happy with Otto. Plus when he knocks down a three we could say "it's Otto matic!"

 

[mcfly]

Come on now, Pippen was an elite athlete, we've all seen Portland Pip and Chicago Pip 2.0.

 

[gourimoko]

Yeah, I see nothing of Pippen in Otto Porter. Not anything.

 

[Kizzle]

Wow porter has gone from being Tayshawn Prince, Kawai Leonard , Caron Butler, Pail pierce, Lebron, to Scottie Pippen.


Lol Scottie Pippen, like really guys? Wow.





If I had to pick one ill take Prince for 500. Has the build, the pedestrian athleticism, the shooting, and he's lightskinnedthen....c'mon.