Chicago Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson has certainly garnered a lot of attention for his performances at the Las Vegas Summer League. While positioning himself as an elite two-way prospect, Wilson has showcased his offensive versatility and defensive impact, earning comparisons to Kevin Garnett.
Kevin Garnett was surprisingly in the crowd for the Chicago Bulls’ game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. Even though the Bulls suffered a tough 105-82 loss at the hands of the Lakers, who remain undefeated in the Las Vegas Summer League this year, Caleb Wilson earned some high praise from the NBA legend.
As the Bulls-Lakers game was being aired, the commentator had an opportunity to speak with Garnett about the comparisons before the game. While recalling the details from the conversation, she claimed:
“There’s been some comparisons between Caleb Wilson and that ceiling being something of a Kevin Garnett. So, he told me, ‘I had to pull up. I’m Big Ticket. I came here to see the Little Ticket… He said, ‘I’ve heard great things, but I actually don’t know him at all. I’ve watched him from afar, and I’ve heard great things, and I just wanted to see him in person.”
Kevin Garnett’s nickname, “The Big Ticket,” was a nod to his box-office playing style that made him worth the price of admission for Minnesota Timberwolves fans. Now, with Caleb Wilson displaying the potential to have the same impact, the moniker seems fitting.
Although the Bulls lost Thursday night’s game, Wilson remained solid, as he recorded 21 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one steal, and a block while shooting 7-15 from the floor.
He struggled to get going from the three-point line on Thursday, but his overall averages of 23.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.5 blocks per game, while shooting 50.0% from the floor and 41.9% from three-point range in the Summer League, are beyond impressive.
Draymond Green’s Follow-Up Comments On Caleb Wilson
Draymond Green was among the first players to publicly note Caleb Wilson’s gifts. Although his athletic ability had garnered enough attention, Green boldly claimed that Wilson’s potential is high enough for Kevin Garnett to be considered his floor.
On that note, Green provided an update on his statement in light of Caleb Wilson’s performances at Summer League on “The Draymond Green Show.” While reflecting on his previous comment involving Garnett, Green clarified:
“Caleb Wilson comes in an era where big men can dribble the ball, big men can shoot threes, and big men pretty much have free rein. If you can do it, do whatever the hell you want. KG didn’t have that. KG played in a very structured era of basketball where the power forward shot 18-20-footers, and they banged down low just like a center.”
“KG is one of the greatest power forwards we’ve ever seen… So when I said Kevin Garnett could be the floor, I said that with all due respect to Kevin Garnett. But just saying, this kid can be that special. So if I say Kevin Garnett’s the floor, by no means am I dimming Kevin Garnett’s light. I’m not capable of dimming Kevin Garnett’s light. He’s Kevin Garnett. What I’m saying is I think this kid can be that good.”
Green justified that he wasn’t someone who would overreact to a performance in the Summer League, though most would argue otherwise. But in Caleb Wilson’s case, while it may seem like hyperbole to some, the Warriors’ veteran seems to make a solid point.
In the four games that Wilson has appeared in, the forward has demonstrated tremendous poise and versatility. When noting that he has also improved upon his perimeter shooting, it is difficult to overlook how much of a threat he has become in a short time.
As Green mentioned, it is only the Summer League, but it is difficult not to be enamored by the Bulls’ rookie. Although watching him in action has been rewarding, with Chicago shutting him down for the final game of the tournament, it seems like fans will only get to see him in action once the preseason begins. Needless to say, it will be intriguing to see how he performs against NBA competition.
