And what, it took you all this time to finally find one single statistic you could call a significant difference between Baby and Ilyasova Faf? Next time you label all the stats of two players, stats that are pretty darn similar, as significantly different, you might want to point out that there really is only one stat that in your mind stood out as being significantly different.
Rebounding.
Well, I mean if you just looked at the basic stat lines I guess that's what you'd assume.
Shooting:
Overall FG%: Ilyasova, 44.3%, Davis 43.7%
-now right here, this is an excellent example to bolster nick's theory. .7% is not a significant difference. But lets look closer.
Ilyasova isn't the post player Glen Davis is, so you'd expect Davis's moves around the basket to be superior, and Ilyasova's jumpshooting to be better.
Jump shooting: Ilyasova 70% of shots taken, 45.7% made, Davis 42% shots taken, 29.1% made
-so nothing crazy there. Ilyasova makes his money as a stretch 4, and Davis makes his money as a banger (and once a year, clutch jump shooter), so Ilyasova should be significantly better there, and he is.
Close shots: Ilyasova 30% shots 59.6% made 10% blocked, Davis 58% of shots 54.3% made 25% blocked
I'd say Ilyasova is a superior scorer to Glen Davis. Ilyasova's strength, his ability to spread the floor and finish at the hoop because of his athleticism, comes through strong. Davis's strength, his ability to score around the basket, is limited because of his lack of elevation, although he does manage to get a lot of his own rebounds.
Passing:
Since Ilyasova began his career as a small forward, one would assume he's a better passer. Lets see how that plays out.
Assists per 48 minutes: Ilyasova 2.1, Davis 1.8
So that's not a huge discrepancy. Ilyasova is marginally better per 48 minutes, so while that is expected, I frankly expected more. Lets look closer.
In depth passing:
Illy 84 total assists, 24 passing turnovers (errant passes), Davis 35 total assists, 14 passing turnovers. That's a 3.5 assist to passing turnover ratio for Ilyasova, 2.5 ratio for Davis.
So while we're talking about the difference between a guy who averages 1 assist per game (Illy) and a guy who averages .6 per (Davis), and passing is obviously not a key part of either's game, Ilyasova is better.
rebounding we've established.
How about defense?
Based on just watching the players, Davis is stronger, Ilyasova is faster. They're both good defenders for being a step behind physically on some defenders (taller for Davis, stronger for Ilyasova), and both guys are tenacious defenders who give 100%. Glen Davis as a power forward can defend centers, because of his strength. Ilyasova, because of his speed and jumping ability, can defend small forwards as well as power forwards from the 4.
I don't know of any statistic I trust to label either one a better defender. As far as plays that steal a possession, Davis gets .4 steals per contest and .3 blocks, Ilyasova gets .65 steals per contest and .28 blocks. Edge Illy, but not in any way I would label significant.
So by the numbers, Ilyasova is a better scorer, rebounder, and passer.
I'm not knocking Glen Davis as a player, I think he's a heck of a player. I just think Ilyasova is significantly better almost across the board, and I don't think they should be evaluated in the same tier of talent.