Just now revisiting this thread - sorry for being contentious like that it's just easy to get wrapped up in this shit. Wasn't trying to take it in the wrong direction.
I like him better than all of those players save Wemby assuming Wemby doesn't continue having health issues. Paolo is the only other one that makes me pause.
This kid is going to be the fucking truth. When I compare him to LeBron it's because that's what I see when I watch him play - it's not because I'm trying to be dramatic or overly effusive or whatever - it's because that's what I think the most accurate comp is.
That doesn't mean I think he's going to be LeBron. But this idea that the team drafting #1 should reach for a guy that may have a higher "ceiling" is absolute, asinine bullshit and it seems to mainly be coming from ignorant former players that appear to have a problem dealing with how good this white kid is.
I try and not see race when I evaluate or cheer for players - although I'd be lying to you if I said that I don't like seeing white Americans ball out. So my opinion is probably colored a little bit.
That said - what I care more about is being right about who can play and who can't when I make evals. You asked me what I mean by "set the league on fire" - I'm not sure how to quantify that. I guess I would say that by year 3 I expect he's a top 20 player in the league. And that feels like a baseline.
This kid is fucking different. And he doesn't deserve this veiled racist trash being spewed about him. (and I'm not accusing you of any of that)
Maybe I'll pay attention when an actual great has something to say about him instead of salty bitches like PG and Cousins.