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LA Angels Player Comparisons to NBA Free Agents

By Vincent Page

TORONTO, ON - JUNE 20: Kawhi Leonard of the Toronto Raptors watches a MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on June 20, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 20: Kawhi Leonard of the Toronto Raptors watches a MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on June 20, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 13: Danny Green #14 of the Toronto Raptors is defended by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in the first half during Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 13, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 13: Danny Green #14 of the Toronto Raptors is defended by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in the first half during Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 13, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Kole Calhoun is… Danny Green

All three of these comparisons are relatively simple. For Kole Calhoun and Danny Green, there are two things that define them. First, they are both extremely impressive defensive players. Kole Calhoun has been a Gold Glove caliber right fielder for all of his career, even as his athleticism has began to decline. Danny Green has been nominated as an All-Defensive player earlier in his career, and has continued to be a stopper on the perimeter.

Both players second biggest part of their game? The long ball. Calhoun plays great defense and has hit a 17 home runs already this seasons. Danny Green set an NBA Finals record with the Spurs in 2013, when he hit 27 threes in the seven game series.

Tommy La Stella is… Brook Lopez

Hold up, the 5’11” and 170 pound Tommy La Stella is comparable to Brook Lopez, who is a foot taller and nearly 100 pounds heavier?

To be short, yes.

In 2018, Tommy La Stella was a bench player for the Chicago Cubs, and Brook Lopez was a typical big man who took open threes.

In 2019, Tommy La Stella is an All Star second baseman and Brook Lopez is coming off the best year of his career after the Milwaukee Bucks decided to utilize his three-point shooting as a weapon rather than a luxury.

Both players have undergone complete career changes the past year or so. Lopez turned it into a new four-year, $52 million contract. While La Stella won’t hit free agency until after next season, he will likely see a healthy contract from whichever team lands the slugger.

Justin Upton is… JJ Redick

Again, I know it’s an odd physical comparison, but hear me out. This comes down to one thing: the long ball. Justin Upton is the definition of a slugger, and has hit more than 25 home runs seven times in his career.

JJ Redick, on the other hand, is one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. Whether it’s catch and shoot, flying around a screen, shooting off-balance, or any other way a man can launch a ball from beyond a three-point line, it always seems like Redick’s shots are going in.

Also, for what it’s worth, neither are good defensive players. I wouldn’t call them awful, but they definitely both have their flaws and are limited in that aspect.

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