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Message: [QUOTE="CamrnCrz1974, post: 2674727, member: 1052"] [USER=26]@EricLA[/USER] , that was an interesting comparison, by referencing Tillis and Griner. I believe a better player comparison at the top end of the spectrum is Elena Delle Donne, if you are using Iciss Tillis on the low end of the spectrum. I wanted to respond to both your post and [USER=290]@dtbtbtb[/USER] 's post together. Having seen both players countless times in college, here is my assessment of Iciss Tillis vs. Azura Stevens: -- In terms of north/south speed and leaping ability, Tillis was superior. -- Tillis was a slightly better three-point shooter (using Stevens' three-point shooting at Duke as the barometer, instead of the one year at UConn). -- Tillis was not especially adept at getting her own shot. -- Stevens, by contrast, is much better at creating her own shot. Her pull-up and mid-range jumpers are excellent. -- Stevens is better in attacking the boards at angles. -- Stevens is a better rebounder and shotblocker. -- Stevens is mentally tougher and more aggressive than Tillis, which was obvious from the first minute Azura walked onto the floor. -- Iciss Tillis was a ridiculous athlete who happened to play basketball. -- Azura Stevens is a basketball player who happens to be a very good athlete. Stevens would be a basketball player at any height. Basically, it boils down to these key points, in my assessment: Azura Stevens is a natural guard. She grew up being a guard, playing the position. She then had a massive growth sport. Stevens' game is built for the modern pro game. If a WNBA franchise is drafting Azura Stevens to make her into a center, that would be, to be blunt, idiotic, unless you are running a five-out motion, like Phoenix did in 2007. In essence, Stevens is not Tillis (she is significantly better than Tillis), nor is she Griner (Stevens is not a center). She is going to be a better Tangela Smith, in that Stevens is more physical, has a handle, can attack the rim, but also can face-up. Tangela Smith made one All Star team and was a career 11.0 ppg scorer over her 15 WNBA seasons. I see Stevens as the next evolution of Smith, someone who can make a few All Star teams, but will not likely be a first or second All-WNBA team performer. In other words, she will be a great WNBA player, but not an outstanding one. [/QUOTE]

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