Better Team: Golden State Warriors or Houston Rockets?

Small Forward

Jan 23, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Denver Nuggets shooting guard Andre Iguodala (9) controls the ball during the fourth quarter as Houston Rockets shooting guard James Harden (13) defends at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

This is one of the positions affected by the offseason moves detailed above. The Warriors’ recent acquisition of Andre Iguodala who will likely replace Harrison Barnes at the starting spot has added depth and talent to this position. The Rockets have one of the most promising young players in the league and one that they have gotten major mileage out of considering that Chandler Parsons was a 2nd round pick. This position was one of the harder ones to judge given the relative statistical similarity of each player.

Andre Iguodala puts up a tremendous statline and truly demonstrates his versatile talents with his numbers. The swingman averaged 13 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists with 1.7 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. He is considered one of the best two-way players in the league with his ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. His exceptional athleticism manifests itself with his ability to rack up steals and blocks, as well as his ability to deliver thunderous dunks. Though he might be undersized for a true small forward, his strength and speed allow him to still compete in that three-spot.

Parsons is a 24-year-old player that has captured the admiration of both the male and female audiences of the NBA with his spectacular play and boy-band good looks. While Chandsome has only played two seasons in the NBA, his four years at the University of Florida have undoubtedly impacted his maturity and his game. Parsons averaged 15.5 points on an insanely efficient 48.6 percent shooting. He also managed to shoot a great 38.5 percent from beyond the arc on an average of 2 attempts. The Florida product also averaged 5.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists and one steal to top it off. Parsons has shown a lot of potential and will be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.

Both players are tremendously talented players that elevated their games during the playoffs and they both have aspects of their game that seem to defy their size. Iguodala’s excellent rebounding for a 6’6’’ swingman and Parsons three-point marksmanship for a 6’9’’ forward. Overall, Iguodala has a more complete game on both sides of the court so I have to give him the slight advantage.

Edge: Warriors