In an almost unprecedented move, the New Jersey Nets have pitted the best two big men in this year’s NBA Draft in a winner-take-all, one-on-one match-up on Friday, June 21st, with the winner emerging as the Nets selection as the #3 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. Surprisingly both DeMarcus Cousins and Derrick Favors agreed to the grudge match even though they both players could stand to lose money and draft standing for whoever comes out on the losing end.
Ever since the draft combine, the players’ draft stocks have been going in different directions. Cousins was regarded as the unquestioned 3rd best player behind John Wall and Evan Turner when the collegiate season ended, but recently his stock is slipping over concerns of a possible weight problem and a perceived bad attitude. Some think he may slide as far as the #7 pick, owned by the Detroit Pistons or even drop out of the top 10 picks all-together. In his lone season in Kentucky, Cousins established himself as the NCAA’s best big man by showcasing a dominating post presence to go along with some soft hands around the rim. Obviously the Nets are still considering Cousins since they have set up the contest versus Favors.
After only one season at Georgia Tech, and with a prototypical power forward physique(6’9 and 240lbs), Favors’ stock has gone through the roof after measuring out very favorably at the draft combine. Possessing one of the longest wingspans of any player in the draft, he actually is drawing early comparisons to NBA Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard, even though he is 2 inches shorter than the perennial MVP candidate. Similar to Howard, Favors offensive game is still a work on progress, but is NBA ready as a rebounder and shot blocker. Although most feel that he is a few years away from reaching his full potential, Favors would slide right in to the starting power forward spot alongside potential All-Star Brook Lopez, giving New Jersey a formidable frontcourt duo for the future.
Since the NJ Nets even offered to do their fans taxes in order to boost attendance at home games, maybe they should sell tickets or put the contest on pay-per-view since most true basketball fans would kill to watch such an event. Who will emerge the winner? Will Cousins’ size and strength overmatch Favors or will the Yellowjackets’ freshman phenom use his superior speed and athletic ability to get the best of Cousins?
For those of you who are casual fans, check out two great highlight mixes from each player:
Draft Preview: DeMarcus Cousins:
Derrick Favors
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen also provides content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, in addition to being a tenured columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
