Michael Malone sees similarities in Emmanuel Mudiay, D'Angelo Russell

Denver Nuggets point guard Emmanuel Mudiay and Los Angeles Lakers point guard D'Angelo Russell are naturally going to be compared to each other.

As members of the same draft class, the two will be stacked up against each other for years to come. It doesn't hurt that the two players have similar physical profiles, even if they have different styles of play.

Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone has seen similarities between the two rookie guards early on this year. 

Here's what Malone told Mark Medina of the LA Daily News:

“He’s very similar to Emmanuel,” Malone said of Russell. “A lot of young players come into the NBA expecting it to be easier than it actually is. He has great moments and moments he will struggle. That’s the life of a rookie.”

Like Chris Paul and Deron Williams once were, this isn't the last time we'll hear Muiday and Russell's names being mentioned together.