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Charlotte Hornets: Malik Monk’s skillset is a mix between the Splash Bros

By Chase Pletcher

GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: Malik Monk of the Charlotte Hornets poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. 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 Elsa/Getty Images)
GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: Malik Monk of the Charlotte Hornets poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. 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 Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Malik Monk has been compared to numerous current NBA Players, but comparing him as a mix of the Splash Bros may be the most accurate comparison.

Don’t let Malik Monk being drafted 11th by the Charlotte Hornets fool you. He had the talent to be drafted top-five. In some earlier projections of the draft, he was even taken as high as 3rd. A lot of franchises just simply had other team needs that forced them to take someone else.

Athletic. Good ball handler. Deadly shooter (off the dribble and catch and shoot). Monk has one of the most complete offensive games from this year’s draft. He even has been compared to a player like CJ McCollum, which is clearly a compliment to Monk.

However, I want to take the comparison’s a step further. When I say this, I don’t necessarily mean he will be as good as these guys (although that would be nice), but just simply that he has features about him and his game that resemble these guys.

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I, of course, am talking about Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, the Splash Bros. Malik Monk has quite a few similarities to both of these guys, and will probably end up with a play style that is a mix between these two.

Similarities to Steph

The most obvious similarity that pops out is their identical height, each standing 6 foot 3. Steph is a point guard, while Monk will primarily play the two, but their play styles still match up very well.

Even before he became a superstar, Steph came out of college able to shoot the three ball. Off the dribble, top of the key, from the corner, late in the game, you name it, he could do it.  Monk is much of the same way.

Steph’s volume numbers from college are higher than Monk’s partly because he had much less talent around him at Davidson than Monk did at Kentucky. Their averages from downtown were very similar. In his last season at Davidson, Steph’s three point percentage was 38.7%. In his lone season at Kentucky, Monk’s was 39.7%.

What really made Monk explode into the public eye was his 47 rampage against the current NCAA champions UNC. He didn’t just score 47 in a blowout either. The game came down to the wire, and in the biggest moment, Monk hit a go ahead three with just seconds to go.

Guess who also had games like this in college? Yes, Steph Curry. Curry exploded into the national spotlight whenever he led his Davidson Wildcats to the Elite 8 in 2008. Curry broke out for 40 points in one of the tournament games and had to come through with big threes in the clutch multiple times.

These two guys are a lot more similar, especially with how they played in college than people realize. Monk is a good ball handler, but Steph has him beat in that area. Also, it’s impossible to be sure that Monk’s shooting will translate directly to the NBA, although I’d be surprised if it didn’t. However, Monk is definitely more athletic than Steph, which brings me to my next comparison.

Similarities to Klay

Me using Steph’s shooting to compare with Monk doesn’t mean Klay is a bad shooter, obviously. These two just reflect each other more so in terms of athleticism.

Klay has been known to have the ability to throw it down throughout his career. Monk doesn’t pale in comparison, he’s showcased his ability to be able to do things like windmill and tomahawk dunks. He even won a dunk contest at an AAU tournament a couple years back. He may only be the same height as Steph, but he can get up there with the best of them.

Like with Steph, Monk has an obvious similarity to Klay. Their draft position. Both of drafted 11th overall and Klay is pretty much the best player to be drafted in that draft spot ever. Many Hornets fans used Klay as an example as to why the Hornets should still be optimistic about the draft despite the relatively low pick, so Monk will have some hopes to fill.

The 11th spot in the draft also means both guys were fairly slept on (yes Steph was too). Klay has made teams deeply regret not taking him earlier in the draft. Let’s hope that Monk will do the same thing.

Where Klay really has Monk beat is on the defensive side of the ball. Klay is a borderline elite defender. Monk’s defense was one of the bigger knocks on him coming out of college.

Next: Kobe's challenge for each Hornets' player

Of course, just Monk has several things in common with each of these two guys doesn’t mean he will turn into the as high caliber of a player as them. In fact, it’s highly unlikely he becomes a league MVP.

What the similarities do mean, is that he could possess the ability to. His style of play represents a mix of two guys that are a superstar and all-star, respectively. It remains to be seen what exactly Monk turns into as a player, but if it is anything like those two guys, Hornets fans will be very happy.

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