Who's the Next Elton Brand? A look at Al Thornton, DJ White, and Glen Davis

Not so long ago, shorter power forward prospects who dominated in college game were often hyped up as "the next Charles Barkley". Guys from the '90s like Byron Houston, Gary Trent, and Robert "Tractor" Traylor come to mind. While these guys were studs in college, they didn't live up to the hype in the NBA. It wasn't until 1999 that one of these short power forwards actually panned out and became a franchise player. His name--Elton Brand.

So today, whenever the media hypes up a short college power forward, they justify the hype by labeling him as the "next Elton Brand." Guys like Ike Diogu, Marcus Fizer, and Sean May were touted as such. Fizer isn't in the league anymore. Diogu and May are still early in the careers, but so far they haven't shown the ability to consistently dominate the low post as they did in college. None of those guys will replicate the success acheived by Elton Brand because they lacked the combintation of skill sets that Brand brings to the table--namely explosive quickness (both off the ground and laterally), great body control, freakishly long arms, decisive moves around the basket, and a great midrange jumper, among other things.

This year there are a few more undersized power forwards who have first round, if not lottery, potential. None of this year's candidates for "next Elton Brand" are getting much hype. Do they deserve more? Let's take a look at their abilities and see (1) how they compare to Elton Brand, and (2) how their game will translate in the NBA.

Al Thornton: Listed at 6'8 and 220lbs, Thornton's height and stats are similar to Brand (although he looks a bit heavier than 220lb). Both have very long arm and are quick off the floor. However, Brand is better than Thornton in several respects. First, Brand has a well developed back-to-the-basket offensive game. Brand has a great turn around jump shot which he can get off almost everyone due to his quickness of the floor. He also has a nice hook shot if he's close enough to the basket. This has made Brand into a reliable go-to player whenever the Clippers need a bucket. Thornton currently doesn't have a reliable go to move. Second, Brand seems to have better body control than Thornton. This body control allows Brand to use a variety of spin moves and shakes to get around his defender without sacrificing the quality of his shot attempt. Thornton seems more deliberate in his movements and body control is something you can't teach. Finally, Brand has a lower center of gravity than Thornton. This low center of gravity allows Brand to move laterally very well and hold his position against taller guys.

On the other hand, what Thornton lacks in back-to-the-basket moves, Thornton makes up with in perimeter play. Thornton is more explosive than Brand in the perimeter and as a result can get by defenders using a first step off the dribble. However, Thornton still needs to improve his body control and passing ability so once he gets by the first defender, so he can take a shot that he is comfortable with or pass the ball to an open man or cutter.

Projected Future in the NBA - Thornton should be able to start for most teams because he has the athleticism to be a difference maker to play aggressive defense and to grab tough rebounds in traffic. Thornton probably will never be a number 1 or number 2 scoring option, however. Thornton's best chance to succeed offensively will be from the perimeter where he must continue to develop consistency on his jumper and a better handle to slash to the hoop. Defensively, Thornton can be very effective because he moves well for a guy his size and has the strength, length, and quickness to defend the 3 and the 4. Although he may not be a perennial All-star, Thornton is a guy who will help you win games because he can make plays without the ball in his hands, but also has enough talent and coordination to become an effective scorer.

DJ White: Listed at 6'8, 242, DJ White is also similar in height and a tad bulkier than Brand. While Thornton has long arms, White has the freakishly long arms that Brand has. White's game is pretty comparable in Brand in that they both possess a nice turn around jumper, impressive quickness off the ground, and are very active on both ends of the floor. However, where Brand outshines White is with Brand's body control. It's not so much that White lacks good body control--its more that Brand (just like old Charles Barkley) has great body control. Again, this is a major factor to why Brand can shoot high percentage shots after making multiple moves in the paint. Brand also has a much better jumper from 15-18 feet than White. Finally, Brand currently has a better handle than White, which allows Brand to take bigger, slower defenders out to the perimeter so he can drive to the hoop for a lay up or quick pull up jumper.

Projected Future in the NBA: In college, White gets by with his nice touch around the basket, turnaround jumpshot, quickness and length. On defense, he has good timing in blocking shots and has strength to hold his position on the block. However, in the NBA he may have trouble scoring unless he develops more range on his jumper and more low post moves inside. White definitely has the potential to be effective and could be this year's Udonis Haslem if he falls to the second round.

Glen Davis: Glen Davis is certainly big and strong, but plays and moves more like a guard than he does a big man. Davis lacks the length and explosiveness that Brand, Thornton and White have, which will be a huge concern for NBA scouts. On the other hand, Glen Davis has a feathery touch and can shoot off the dribble quite well. He also has lateral quickness and is light on his feet, which seem fit for a perimeter game. Unfortunately for Glen Davis, however, most NBA teams aren't looking for a 6 ft 7, 270+ pounder who has the skills of a shooting guard. Compared to Brand, Davis is only similar in the sense that he is similar in height.

Projected Future in the NBA: Of these three players, I am least high on Glen Davis as an NBA prospect. Davis simply isn't athletic or long enough to be a difference maker on an NBA team. He could probably put up a few points, but in the NBA that will be his only dimension.