Utah Jazz: 3 historical comparisons for Eric Paschall

Utah Jazz forward Eric Paschall historical comparison #2: Donyell Marshall

Older Utah Jazz fans will certainly be familiar with this historical comparison, and depending on their feelings towards the man called Big Homie, they may even embrace it.

Rodney Rogers may have been ahead of his time as a stretch 4, but Marshall was several paces ahead of even Rogers. For example, in 2004-05, Marshall attempted 5.6 three-pointers per game as a member of the Toronto Raptors, a number practically unheard of for a power forward at that time.

His three-point accuracy fluctuated wildly throughout his career. He hit 27% of his 4.3 attempts per night with the Golden State Warriors in 1994-95, and 40.3% of his 4.0 attempts per night in a 2003-04 season split between the Chicago Bulls and the Raptors. Similarly, his Defensive Ratings were (as the Hot Hot Heat would say) consistently inconsistent, ranging from 96 to 113 throughout his career without any clear, linear development in either direction.

So, what could Utah Jazz forward Eric Paschall glean from such an inconsistent career performance? Well, Marshall’s ability to get buckets never wavered. That’s what allowed him a solid 15-year NBA career.

Marshall, like Paschall, was a three-level scorer, able to heat up from deep, work the midrange or get baskets with an array of crafty moves on the low block. Where Rogers and his steady development on the defensive end may represent an ideal course for Paschall’s career, Marshall’s consistency as a threat to score the basketball ought to represent a realistic one.

All told, the stretch 4 finished his career with averages of 11.2 points and 6.7. rebounds per game and a 35.0% three-point conversion rate. His high water marks in each of those categories were 15.4, 10.0 and 40.3%.

If he stays in Salt Lake City, the Utah Jazz would have to take that for the remainder of Paschall’s career as well.