HT: 6-9 | WT: 230 | AGE: 23 |YR: 1
PTS: 10.7 | REBS: 7.1 | BLK: 2.0
By Fred Carter
Special to ESPN.com
I'd take Kenyon Martin. Given a few years to mature, his upside potential is greater than that of Elton Brand. Martin's athleticism, ability to block shots and, most importantly, his size make him the more attractive player down the road. With the right coaching and attitude, Martin's physical attributes and talent combine to form a better player in the future with tremendous room for growth.
In order to win in the NBA, your big people actually have to be big. Elton Brand is an undersized power forward who, though it's difficult to see that far ahead, might not have the stature to compete the way Martin will. With a year under his belt, Brand is a good player on a bad team. He has shown the ability to score and is a better offensive player than Martin at this point.
But as a future prospect I like other parts of his game that Martin brings to the table. The athleticism he possesses gives him the ability to run the floor well and block shots. He's not an offensive force at this time but he does have a reasonably good jumpshot. He's a youngster finding his way, and watch out when he does.
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HT: 6-8 | WT: 260 | AGE: 21 | YR: 2
PTS: 19.3 | REBS: 9.8 | BLK: 1.5
By Eric Karabell
ESPN.com
At this point, you'd have to say Elton Brand. Kenyon Martin still has a long ways to go just to get to be as good and accomplished as Brand. Remember, Brand averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds as a rookie. Even with a horrible start this season and on the worst team in the league those numbers are about the same now. Brand will be consistent every year. Will he ever average 30 a game? No, but you know what you're getting, and it's not bad at all.
With Martin, the jury really is still out. We know the kid can block shots, but so far he looks kind of soft. He isn't grabbing the tough rebounds. He isn't acting like the enforcer the Nets desperately needed. Martin is only an inch taller than Brand and he's not as wide. There's no reason to believe Martin will be a tougher player. Frankly, Martin has been a disappointment so far. On a bad team the best he can do is score 10.7 points a game and shoot less than 40 percent? He will get better and more comfortable, but he's no lock to average 20 and 10, but Brand probably is.
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