I am going to jump out and disagree, just for the sake of disagreeing, with sentiments that Naruto won't go the path of DBZ.

First, let's see, there's already solid proof that Naruto IS ALREADY going down that path: the fillers.

The fillers are a way of drawing out Naruto, making it longer than what it really is. DBZ used to draw out the fights not by including entirely irrelevant (not from the manga) storylines, but by drawing out the battles. Long pans from fighter to fighter, focus on the eyes, focus on the other's eyes. Comment from peanut gallery character A, comment from B. Some verbal barbs traded between the fighters. More drawn out staring. More peanut gallery. Throw in an episode of Powering Up here and there.

Naruto has obviously learned from DBZ, drawing out the actual plotline can hurt a show. DBZ tried to create too much tension, drag things out for too long, and that was one of its biggest flaws. Naruto simply saves all the crap for fillers and then does a good job when the actual story is being shown. The problem with this is that, if fillers continue, the number of filler episodes will surpass the number based on the manga. What then can be said about Naruto as a show?

Naruto = DBZ with time jumps. Well, the first time jump is coming up... but its not that big of a jump.
I wouldn't be surprised if/when Kishimoto decides he is done with Naruto (done writing the manga, done with the anime, done with the concept) that he sells the rights to create a 'GT' series based off Naruto. Maybe Naruto's grandkids or some crap like that. Someone in Japan already probably has some kind of scheme to create a knock-off like that (or some spin-off like an entire series dedicated to Zabuza & Haku) because they believe it can make them big $

That's the other thing. $, green, loot, paper. Everyone wants it. Don't be surprised if Naruto the show declines in quality (in all regards) if it means making someone some more money. Need to sell some more character dolls? Bring back some characters for a filler arc. That crack animation team demands too much money? Cut them and get the filler monkeys to do it. Naruto ends and you smell demand for more? I smell a sequel/prequel.

Other Naruto/DBZ comparisons:

"Power levels" = Bloodline limits/Curse Seals
If you don't see this similarity you're retarded. Substaintial increases in power in Naruto also have changes in characters' physical properties. Naruto looks more like a fox, Goku goes super saiyan. Sasuke gets gay wings, Cell looks more like the android he swallowed. Freeza turns into a different form, Gaara transforms. Let's hope Naruto doesn't start using too much "Raising power level" scenes and related banter.

I could draw a parallel between Goku/Gohan and Naruto as far as 'goofy, righteous, insanely strong with a demon/alien element to them', but that also seems to be every other hero in anime...

Only bad guys die. Ok, ok, the 3rd is an exception. Granted, but the guy was fucking ancient anyway. But seriously, remember in DBZ when someone would die? Tons of drama. But then there were the Dragonballs! (aka Konoha medical team) and the person was back to life again! OR, if a character really bit the dust in DBZ they'd still get to join the peanut gallery up in the sky with King Kai.

Remember I'm doing this for the sake of arguing. Almost all of my points don't have any concrete proof that Naruto will go in the direction of DBZ. But it is also a very general and subjective matter...