Offense
Nassir Little needs to strive to be more than an inside player in the NBA; in the modern game, a wing usually needs at least a jump-shot, and this has to be Little’s number one point of development.
Rudy Gay
Okay, Rudy Gay is a little bigger than Little, but I still love this comparison.
Gay is 6’8 and 229 lbs, and is now in his 16th season in the NBA. Now in San Antonio, Gay is a shade of his former self, but in his Memphis days, he looked comparable to the best offensive forwards in the league, and is a tremendous player for Little to watch.
In his peak Grizzlies days, Gay averaged around 19.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and a block, and while Memphis struggled into his final years there, Gay was an elite player in the league.
Over Gay’s career, he has shot 35 percent from three on three attempts a game; a stat I believe is realistic for Little as well. In Memphis, Gay was closer to two three’s a game, but is jump-shot was solid enough to hurt defenses.
In Little’s case, it’s likely he’s never going to be a number 1 option on offense, but Rudy Gay’s offensive game is definitely achievable for Little. The Blazers want Little finishing around the rim, cutting strongly, and being able to stretch the floor, all of which Gay’s game will help Little achieve.
Jaylen Brown
Rudy Gay was a little bigger than Little, so I decided to go with a slightly smaller forward for my second player.
Jaylen Brown seems to be a nice offensive player for Little to learn from, even if he’s in just his fourth year. Since his rookie season, Brown’s PPG has jumped from 6.6 to 20.4, and has turned into one of the best wings in the NBA.
Little’s strength and athleticism is already similar to Jaylen Brown’s, and he can learn a ton from Brown’s development over the last couple of years. Not only has Brown become niftier and more efficient in the paint, he’s improved his three-point shot; Brown is now good for 38 percent from deep on 5.6 attempts per game.
Brown can score 20 points very comfortably without getting too many touches, which is something Little needs to strive towards. Whether it’s knocking down three’s or cutting to the rim, Brown produces effectively, and is the perfect example for Nassir Little.
Aside from the jumper, Brown’s handle is something Little can really learn from. Brown has become a lot more effective in iso situations, and Little can learn from his composure. As well as this, Brown’s slashing towards the basket, ability to finish up high, and his all-around bruising style of play are all attributes Little should look to pick up.
I don’t think it’s unrealistic to see Little as a 17-20 PPG scorer in the future, as he already has a lot of physical talents. On the defensive end, the sky’s the limit, and Little should be aiming for All-NBA honors.