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Could Emoni Bates be the Detroit Pistons version of LeBron?

By Ryan Love

DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 12: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white.) LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warming up before a game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 12, 2016 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Cavaliers defeated the Mavericks 110-107. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 12: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white.) LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers warming up before a game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 12, 2016 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Cavaliers defeated the Mavericks 110-107. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 19: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This image has been processed using digital filters.) Street view of the Monument to Joe Louis at Hart Plaza on January 19, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott Legato/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 19: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This image has been processed using digital filters.) Street view of the Monument to Joe Louis at Hart Plaza on January 19, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott Legato/Getty Images) /

Ypsilanti Bad Boy

Bates has the numbers and the personality to be the next LeBron-level superstar.

However, Bates might resemble the likes of a Kobe Bryant or Allen Iverson type when it comes to his personality.

Many sports fans got to know that side of Bates at the beginning of his sophomore season when he was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated for an article by Michael Rosenberg.

“Several people in the sport use two words when describing him: Kobe mentality,” Rosenberg says.

"“Emoni has always had that. When he was five, he participated in layup lines at a pro-am game; after tipoff, little Emoni was pissed he wasn’t allowed to play. By the time he entered middle school he had a collegian’s work ethic. He takes incidental bumps as intentional, and if they are intentional, Emoni goes full E-mamba. Last year a kid forgot to box him out on a free throw. Big mistake. Emoni dunked his own miss. The kid shoved him to the ground in frustration. Bates popped up, eyes raging and fist cocked. He didn’t throw a punch, but he sure wasn’t going to just walk away.” Michael Rosenberg/Sports Illustrated"

Bates dunks with authority. He’s relentless when it comes to rebounding. He doesn’t let lesser opponents think they have a chance.

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“He did a 360-degree dunk recently, and he is working on a windmill, but most of his jams are angry. He lives to bury threes in defenders’ faces,” Rosenberg says.

The Pistons tried to get their all-time great superstar in Allen Iverson, but it was too late. Iverson was a shell of himself.

Detroit has the reputation of being a franchise that can’t get top-level talent unless it means overpaying or pulling off rare, blockbuster trades.

Next. Learning more about what the trade market was for Derrick Rose. dark

The Pistons could have their chance in 2022 with Bates — especially as the franchise’s future remains in question.