Atlanta Hawks: Pro comparisons for Sharife Cooper
Atlanta Hawks: Pro comparisons for Sharife Cooper No. 3) Rajon Rondo
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If Hawks fans can forget the first part of the 2020-21 season, then comparing Cooper to Rajon Rondo is not a bad one. Rondo is the type of player who outworks and out-thinks his opposition. This is the type of player that Cooper could become.
He looks to have greater speed than Rondo which is going to help him blow past defenses in a way that Rondo can no longer do. He can then continue to take the ball to the hoop as Rondo used to do, or he can kick the ball out to one of the many Hawks shooters.
Cooper’s defense is not at the same level as Rondo’s but he has the chance to develop this given that he is the same size and weight as Rondo. He will also be under the defensive-minded head coach Nate McMillan so he knows that he will need to play solid defense in order to get time with the varsity squad.
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Rondo has led the league in assists three times, was also the steals champion once and has two NBA championships to his name. If Cooper can learn from Rondo’s passing ability and get into passing lanes on defense, he may have a long and prosperous career.