I've mentioned this before in other threads, but the Amare Stoudemire comparison isn't really that great. There are some similarities there but mostly it's just because they're explosive athletes that can dunk well.
At the same age Bagley is a much better shooter than Amare was (especially past 18 feet). Amare had essentially zero ability to shoot 3's his first few years in the league and as we've seen Bagley already hits them plus is much more consistent in the 14-18' range than Amare was at 19-21. Bagley also has a better handle and is more comfortable handling the ball on the perimeter than Amare was. Rebounding numbers are probably negligible per 36 minutes played but from watching both I think Bagley is probably a slightly better rebounder at the same age (Amare's rebounding also declined heavily after his 3rd year)
Those are the positives for Bagley in comparison to Amare. I watched a ton of Amare Stoudemire early to middle of his career with the Suns and except for the lone Suns fan on this board I doubt anybody else has watched Amare play as much as I have.
On the negative side for Bagley compared to Amare....
Amare was a much better finisher and much more effective in the pick-n-roll right out of the gate compared to Bagley. He just had a real feel/knack for setting good effective screens and rolled at the right time taking the the proper angle to the basket. There is an art to it and he just knew how to do it right from the start. Perhaps most importantly, Amare really exploded to the rim finishing strong even in traffic. Think about how many highlights we used to see in Amare's first few years dunking on and over everyone in sight. He was a beast when it came to attacking the basket with a head of steam. Bagley doesn't do any of these well (at least not yet). Bagley's screens are poor and he doesn't explode to the basket like a missile. Congestion in the lane stops Bagley, it didn't stop Amare.
And for all of those getting ready to type......"Well Amare had Steve Nash"..................just remember Amare didn't play with Nash until his 3rd year in the league. Amare had Stephon Marbury his first two years. Marbury was a good point guard in his own right but mostly as a scorer. The Nash/Stoudemire connection was maybe the best ever in terms of passer vs. finisher on the pick-n-roll but Amare Stoudemire was already a highly effective finisher with Marbury at the helm. Stoudemire was also a better weak-side shotblocker and shot alterer than Bagley was at the same age. Defense is another area that Amare deteriorated in rather rapidly after his first few years in the league. However he was a pretty effective weak side defender in the early part of his career. By the midway point of his career he was a poor defender that would still get some nice highlight blocks.
In short Bagley is more skilled, better jumpshot, slightly better rebounder at the same age than Amare. On the other hand Amare was a more ferocious finisher and a guy that had already mastered the pick-n-roll by his second and especially 3rd season in the league.
At the same age Bagley is a much better shooter than Amare was (especially past 18 feet). Amare had essentially zero ability to shoot 3's his first few years in the league and as we've seen Bagley already hits them plus is much more consistent in the 14-18' range than Amare was at 19-21. Bagley also has a better handle and is more comfortable handling the ball on the perimeter than Amare was. Rebounding numbers are probably negligible per 36 minutes played but from watching both I think Bagley is probably a slightly better rebounder at the same age (Amare's rebounding also declined heavily after his 3rd year)
Those are the positives for Bagley in comparison to Amare. I watched a ton of Amare Stoudemire early to middle of his career with the Suns and except for the lone Suns fan on this board I doubt anybody else has watched Amare play as much as I have.
On the negative side for Bagley compared to Amare....
Amare was a much better finisher and much more effective in the pick-n-roll right out of the gate compared to Bagley. He just had a real feel/knack for setting good effective screens and rolled at the right time taking the the proper angle to the basket. There is an art to it and he just knew how to do it right from the start. Perhaps most importantly, Amare really exploded to the rim finishing strong even in traffic. Think about how many highlights we used to see in Amare's first few years dunking on and over everyone in sight. He was a beast when it came to attacking the basket with a head of steam. Bagley doesn't do any of these well (at least not yet). Bagley's screens are poor and he doesn't explode to the basket like a missile. Congestion in the lane stops Bagley, it didn't stop Amare.
And for all of those getting ready to type......"Well Amare had Steve Nash"..................just remember Amare didn't play with Nash until his 3rd year in the league. Amare had Stephon Marbury his first two years. Marbury was a good point guard in his own right but mostly as a scorer. The Nash/Stoudemire connection was maybe the best ever in terms of passer vs. finisher on the pick-n-roll but Amare Stoudemire was already a highly effective finisher with Marbury at the helm. Stoudemire was also a better weak-side shotblocker and shot alterer than Bagley was at the same age. Defense is another area that Amare deteriorated in rather rapidly after his first few years in the league. However he was a pretty effective weak side defender in the early part of his career. By the midway point of his career he was a poor defender that would still get some nice highlight blocks.
In short Bagley is more skilled, better jumpshot, slightly better rebounder at the same age than Amare. On the other hand Amare was a more ferocious finisher and a guy that had already mastered the pick-n-roll by his second and especially 3rd season in the league.
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