Darryn Peterson

[hoopsaustin]

Yeah, I would guess Peterson has a better career, but he's not a better prospect. Simmons was one of the best prospects in a long time but fell apart mentally.

I wouldn't say that, but I'm highly biased in favor of shooting..

 

[Eielson]

Most NBA people consider Peterson the best guard prospect in a generation.

Yes, but that's irrelevant for this conversation, as all the best prospects play forward or center. There's absolutely no way he gets drafted above Flagg or Wemby, and perhaps not even Dybantsa. Also depends on how you define generation.

 

[Eielson]

I wouldn't say that, but I'm highly biased in favor of shooting..

The guy's draft comps were Magic and Lebron. Obviously that didn't work out, but his shot was the only question mark about his game.

 

[WichitaSooner]

Yes, but that's irrelevant for this conversation, as all the best prospects play forward or center. There's absolutely no way he gets drafted above Flagg or Wemby, and perhaps not even Dybantsa. Also depends on how you define generation.

You just said he wasn't a better prospect than Ben Simmons in the post I was responding to. Last I checked, Ben Simmons was a guard, so I'm not sure how my response is irrelevant.

As far as generation, the names people have mentioned as far as the most recent guard who was this good a prospect are D Rose and Kobe. So 18 years for Rose and three decades for Kobe. I think either would count as a generation. I think that term gets overused and misused, but it fits here going off what the people who do this stuff for a living have said.

 

[MJSooner]

crazy that this is where ben simmons career started in the nba

3× NBA All-Star (2019–2021)
All-NBA Third Team (2020)
2× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2020, 2021)
NBA Rookie of the Year (2018)
NBA All-Rookie First Team (2018)
NBA steals leader (2020)

he was not a great shooter .. but he was a star nba player ..


then the FT thing got in his head .. and he was pretty much worthless ..

As a Sixers fan, it wasn't the FT thing only. It was shooting. Period. He refused to take a clutch shot. Or any shot. Teams would lay off of him and double Joel, or stick with Reddick, daring him to shoot. He made 5 3s in 4 years with the Sixers. Never shot a 3 with any other team after he left. Great on the break, and as your awards show, great on D. But he was SOFT. Hated criticism. And he was playing in the wrong city to be soft, and for the wrong coach. All of that, along with FTs did get in his head.

His ultimate collapse was mostly due to the FT issue. He was never the same after G7 against Atlanta, when he passed up on a bunny or dunk because he thought he MIGHT get fouled by Trae. Sounds funny now. He never recovered mentally, and IMO, didn't want to play basketball anymore and used injuries as a reason.

In that way, not having a strong passion for the game and being a little mentally soft, I can see the comparison to Peterson. But Simmons never dreamed of the offensive game that Peterson has. On the flipside, Peterson will never have the defensive skills and rebounding ability Simmons had. Could put up a triple double without a shot.

Peterson has the ability to be as good as anyone on the court RN and as good as he wants to be. So far, that is the question- how much does he want it.

 

[Eielson]

You just said he wasn't a better prospect than Ben Simmons in the post I was responding to. Last I checked, Ben Simmons was a guard, so I'm not sure how my response is irrelevant.

He was listed as a forward. Not a 6'10, 240 lb guard.

https://www.espn.com/nba/draft/rounds/_/season/2016

As far as generation, the names people have mentioned as far as the most recent guard who was this good a prospect are D Rose and Kobe. So 18 years for Rose and three decades for Kobe. I think either would count as a generation. I think that term gets overused and misused, but it fits here going off what the people who do this stuff for a living have said.

Kobe wasn't even considered the best prospect in his own class. He was like the 5th guard taken, behind Kerry Kittles. Truly bizarre to pretend he was the best prospect of the last 30 years.

Kobe is obviously a great comp to have, but that's not as good as Magic and Lebron. Peterson has also been comped to Brandon Roy and Devin Booker, which is clearly not generational.

Peterson is a great prospect, but there's a good chance he doesn't even go number 1. And he's not even close to multiple guys drafted in the past 3 years (Flagg, Wemby).

 

[Sooner04]

I readily admit that I don't know the intricacies of scouting for NBA talent. There are red flags galore surrounding Peterson if you care to look. I feel like there are 2-3 guards like him coming out every year. It's what's the between the ears that separates the dudes at that level.

On the other hand, I was inside the Maravich Center when the top-ranked Sooners traveled to Baton Rouge in 2016. Ben Simmons was a man among boys. I thought I was watching a transcendent player. We were the #1 team in the country, had been solidly in the top 5 for months, and he was light years ahead of every player we had, including the eventual Wooden Award winner who was wearing crimson and cream (no anthracite in sight). The dude drove baseline right in front of me, continued under the basket, and then threw down a dunk from underneath while never bothering to turn his body toward the hoop. Just a single fluid motion right back over his head. Words do not do it justice. Again.....the space between the ears told the tale.

 

[WichitaSooner]

I readily admit that I don't know the intricacies of scouting for NBA talent. There are red flags galore surrounding Peterson if you care to look. I feel like there are 2-3 guards like him coming out every year. It's what's the between the ears that separates the dudes at that level.

On the other hand, I was inside the Maravich Center when the top-ranked Sooners traveled to Baton Rouge in 2016. Ben Simmons was a man among boys. I thought I was watching a transcendent player. We were the #1 team in the country, had been solidly in the top 5 for months, and he was light years ahead of every player we had, including the eventual Wooden Award winner who was wearing crimson and cream (no anthracite in sight). The dude drove baseline right in front of me, continued under the basket, and then threw down a dunk from underneath while never bothering to turn his body toward the hoop. Just a single fluid motion right back over his head. Words do not do it justice. Again.....the space between the ears told the tale.

I respectfully disagree on the first point. Every coach, scout, and exec has said there hasn’t been a guard like him in ages, let alone two or three guys per year. If you can think of any examples, I’d be interested in hearing them. He has everything in his game, plus size and strength.

You’re absolutely right that the mental aspect plays a huge role, and maybe the people doubting Peterson will be proven right. I’m not saying that’s out of the realm of possibility. I just think it’s too early to assume that he doesn’t love the sport, etc. No doubt he could play through some of the cramping. But I’m sure in the back of his mind, he is aware that he has tens of millions of guaranteed money coming his way if he doesn’t get hurt. That’s not the best mindset, but it’s also somewhat understandable.

 

[Eielson]

I readily admit that I don't know the intricacies of scouting for NBA talent. There are red flags galore surrounding Peterson if you care to look. I feel like there are 2-3 guards like him coming out every year. It's what's the between the ears that separates the dudes at that level.

On the other hand, I was inside the Maravich Center when the top-ranked Sooners traveled to Baton Rouge in 2016. Ben Simmons was a man among boys. I thought I was watching a transcendent player. We were the #1 team in the country, had been solidly in the top 5 for months, and he was light years ahead of every player we had, including the eventual Wooden Award winner who was wearing crimson and cream (no anthracite in sight). The dude drove baseline right in front of me, continued under the basket, and then threw down a dunk from underneath while never bothering to turn his body toward the hoop. Just a single fluid motion right back over his head. Words do not do it justice. Again.....the space between the ears told the tale.

Ben was really impressive. Completely controlled the game alongside a bunch of bums. Had us down by double digits the majority of the game, but thankfully Buddy and Cousins caught fire late. If they'd had an average night shooting, we would have been toast.

Great opportunity for a Dante Buford shoutout, even if he didn't score!

I think Peterson is great, and I'd pick him one or two. Most years we don't get a guard as talented, but it's wild to pretend he's generational when we had two guys in the past three years in a completely different tier. It seems basketball folks want to label somebody as generational every year, while football fans are completely averse to it.

 

[WichitaSooner]

He was listed as a forward. Not a 6'10, 240 lb guard.

https://www.espn.com/nba/draft/rounds/_/season/2016

Kobe wasn't even considered the best prospect in his own class. He was like the 5th guard taken, behind Kerry Kittles. Truly bizarre to pretend he was the best prospect of the last 30 years.

Kobe is obviously a great comp to have, but that's not as good as Magic and Lebron. Peterson has also been comped to Brandon Roy and Devin Booker, which is clearly not generational.

Peterson is a great prospect, but there's a good chance he doesn't even go number 1. And he's not even close to multiple guys drafted in the past 3 years (Flagg, Wemby).

Everyone knows Ben Simmons was a guard. It’s what he played in college and in the NBA. They could list him as a left fielder for all
I care. He was a guard.

Would love for you to find me some articles where NBA scouts or execs compare Peterson to Brandon Roy when talking about what kind of career they think he will have.

And I have no clue why you continue referring to Wemby in response to me. I said he is considered the best guard prospect in a generation. Wemby is as relevant to that point as a discussion of Bryce Harper’s prospect status.

 

[Eielson]

Everyone knows Ben Simmons was a guard. It’s what he played in college and in the NBA. They could list him as a left fielder for all
I care. He was a guard.

It's crazy how "everybody knew it" except for the people that were tasked with labeling his position on websites like the one I sent.

Would love for you to find me some articles where NBA scouts or execs compare Peterson to Brandon Roy when talking about what kind of career they think he will have.

Here, let me Google that for you:

https://www.nbadraft.net/players/darryn-peterson/

And I have no clue why you continue referring to Wemby in response to me.

Because you were listing guys picked at #13 as generational, so you clearly needed help understanding what generational means.

 

[WaymanFan]

Because you were listing guys picked at #13 as generational, so you clearly needed help understanding what generational means.

I would probably tap the breaks on that one. Kobe was no more than a baby step down from a generational talent, but scouts did not know where to select him. The year prior, Kevin Garnett basically re-started (the 1970s produced the likes of Moses Malone and Daryl Dawkins) the process of high school players going straight to the NBA. He was viewed as a generational talent, yet was selected at #5 behind the likes of Joe Smith and Antonio McDyess. In a hindsight re-draft, he would have been selected #1. As a prospect, Kobe was viewed as a slight step down from Garnett, hence the #13 pick.

 

[Eielson]

I would probably tap the breaks on that one. Kobe was no more than a baby step down from a generational talent, but scouts did not know where to select him. The year prior, Kevin Garnett basically re-started (the 1970s produced the likes of Moses Malone and Daryl Dawkins) the process of high school players going straight to the NBA. He was viewed as a generational talent, yet was selected at #5 behind the likes of Joe Smith and Antonio McDyess. In a hindsight re-draft, he would have been selected #1. As a prospect, Kobe was viewed as a slight step down from Garnett, hence the #13 pick.

Generational is such a poorly defined term that it's tough to argue what does and doesn't count, but the term ceases to have value when you label 3 guys in 4 years as generational. Unless you believe generation essentially just means 1 year.

Kobe was obviously considered a great talent, but he wouldn't have been the fifth guard off the board if truly felt to be generational. As you noted, KG went much higher the year before. I don't think anybody would confuse Jermaine O'Neal as generational, who went a few spots lower. The following year, T-Mac went higher. I don't see the logic in calling Kobe the best prospect in 30 years when he wasn't even close to the #1 pick. Even with your caveat of being straight from HS, there were guys picked higher the years before and after.

In my view of the term, Lebron James was a generational prospect. We didn't have another until Wemby.

 

[BCSooners]

Generational is such a poorly defined term that it's tough to argue what does and doesn't count, but the term ceases to have value when you label 3 guys in 4 years as generational. Unless you believe generation essentially just means 1 year.

Kobe was obviously considered a great talent, but he wouldn't have been the fifth guard off the board if truly felt to be generational. As you noted, KG went much higher the year before. I don't think anybody would confuse Jermaine O'Neal as generational, who went a few spots lower. The following year, T-Mac went higher. I don't see the logic in calling Kobe the best prospect in 30 years when he wasn't even close to the #1 pick. Even with your caveat of being straight from HS, there were guys picked higher the years before and after.

In my view of the term, Lebron James was a generational prospect. We didn't have another until Wemby.

Bingo. Greg Oden was probably the closest thing to a generational prospect between Lebron & Wemby.

 

[BoulderSooner]

Bingo. Greg Oden was probably the closest thing to a generational prospect between Lebron & Wemby.

at least a 3rd of the league would have taken KD 1st .. in that draft

 

[Eielson]

Bingo. Greg Oden was probably the closest thing to a generational prospect between Lebron & Wemby.

He's very close. Coming out of HS I would have put him on the list. Same for Wiggins. But after their freshman seasons, I just wasn't quite there on them. As Boulder said, I actually felt Durant was better. And to be truly generational, I don't think there should be any question who is the #1 pick. Much like Lebron, Wemby, and Flagg. They had the top pick locked up a year in advance and it never wavered.

 

[hoopsaustin]

at least a 3rd of the league would have taken KD 1st .. in that draft

I was a supersonics fan back then. I couldn't believe he went to us at #2. I kept hearing how Oden was so amazing blah blah blah.. KD was 6'11 and can shoot 3s like a premier guard. I never understood what they were smoking

 

[WichitaSooner]

I was a supersonics fan back then. I couldn't believe he went to us at #2. I kept hearing how Oden was so amazing blah blah blah.. KD was 6'11 and can shoot 3s like a premier guard. I never understood what they were smoking

FWIW, I spoke to someone who is . . . let's just say, very well connected to Sam Presti a year or two after that draft. They would have selected Oden too, if they had the first pick.

 

[BoulderSooner]

Everyone knows Ben Simmons was a guard. It’s what he played in college and in the NBA. They could list him as a left fielder for all
I care. He was a guard.

Would love for you to find me some articles where NBA scouts or execs compare Peterson to Brandon Roy when talking about what kind of career they think he will have.

And I have no clue why you continue referring to Wemby in response to me. I said he is considered the best guard prospect in a generation. Wemby is as relevant to that point as a discussion of Bryce Harper’s prospect status.

i mean in the NBA you are pretty much what you can guard .. and in that respect .. he was a 3 ... of course he can handle the ball ..

I would also argue that he very much was a "generational talent" .. and was showing that in the NBA (until his mental issues) ..

rookie of the year
all start years 2 3 and 4 ..

ALL NBA in year 3 (a very rare thing) ..

First time all Defense in year 3 .. and year 4 ..

late in year 4 he had a 42 point 12 ast game ..


and then the 21 playoffs started .. and he couldn't make a FT got scared of going to the line .. and his promising career was pretty much over ..

 

[hoopsaustin]

FWIW, I spoke to someone who is . . . let's just say, very well connected to Sam Presti a year or two after that draft. They would have selected Oden too, if they had the first pick.

If true, oof. Big men even back then we're waning..