Promising Rookie Says Why He Doesn't Want Devin Booker Comparisons

It is impossible not to play the comparison game with young NBA prospects. It is much easier to say his ceiling could be a player like X and his floor could be a player like Y than to say he’s like nothing we’ve ever seen before. 

Washington Wizards guard Tre Johnson was not immune to these comparisons. No rookie is. However, who you’re compared to can end up having a profound effect on your career. 

One player Johnson has been compared to is All-Star guard Devin Booker. However, Johnson recently admitted that he doesn't actually like the Devin Booker comparisons. 

"I wouldn't say I want that as a comparison. I really don't want any comparison to a player, to be honest, but I feel like there are things going back and watching the film; there are things I can get from the game cause he got to the free throw line quite a bit, especially with aggressive defense, and that's probably something I'm going to start seeing. Guys having their hands on me a little bit today. So I think there are things I could watch for sure."

Being compared to a player like Booker brings high expectations. What's interesting, though, is that Booker's rookie stats and Johnson's don't look all that different. 

Booker averaged 13.8 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.5 rebounds in his rookie year. Right now, Johnson is averaging 12.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. Johnson is also shooting much more efficiently than Booker did as a rookie. Johnson is shooting over 40% from three, something Booker has never done in his career. 

So while a Booker comparison is a high honor, maybe Johnson is aiming his sights even higher. However, being a franchise’s superstar and a multiple-time All-Star would be a pretty good career trajectory if Johnson decides to follow Booker’s footsteps.