[Game] VSL Game 1 (7/7/2023): Kings vs Hawks 7:30pm Pacific, 10:30 Eastern
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Keon Ellis is a hell of a help/team defender.
If he gains weight and strength he could be a good individual defender as well.
It's currently a numbers crunch for him to get minutes with the big club, but he's a nice insurance policy in case of injuries, Huerter (or possibly Monk) being traded, or Monk leaving as a FA.
If he gains weight and strength he could be a good individual defender as well.
It's currently a numbers crunch for him to get minutes with the big club, but he's a nice insurance policy in case of injuries, Huerter (or possibly Monk) being traded, or Monk leaving as a FA.
Then again, Summer League is great for giving players an opportunity to expand their game. Get them out of their comfort zone, get Colby experience guarding the 1, and Keon experience guarding the wing, so that when circumstances dictate they've been there. I don't imagine we'd implement cross-guarding as a primary strategy.
the way I and others I know think of it is as a 2 dimensional grid.
you have length on on dimension (wingspan) and quickness (lane agility test) on the other dimension.
average wingspan is 6’ 10”
Average quickness is roughly 11.0
the guys who stand out as 3&D defenders are typically above average and in the upper right quadrant which makes sense as it is hard at go around them or over them and they can deflect balls in passing lanes.
neither Barnes, Lyles, Slawson or Vezenkov ohave above average quickness Keegan may be border line.
neither Jones, Huerter, Ellis or Duarte have above average length.
you have length on on dimension (wingspan) and quickness (lane agility test) on the other dimension.
average wingspan is 6’ 10”
Average quickness is roughly 11.0
the guys who stand out as 3&D defenders are typically above average and in the upper right quadrant which makes sense as it is hard at go around them or over them and they can deflect balls in passing lanes.
neither Barnes, Lyles, Slawson or Vezenkov ohave above average quickness Keegan may be border line.
neither Jones, Huerter, Ellis or Duarte have above average length.
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Thanks, that's good context for how you view things.
I'd still argue that there were no reasonable targets this off-season that both fit your parameters AND were a net better player than Murray or Barnes.
Grant at one time was a very good defender with Denver, but he's a very different player now and not worth the price tag IMO.
So that leaves finding a better bench option than Edwards, which McNair was apparently trying to do with Torrey Craig. Prosper might fit that bill in a couple seasons, but I doubt he does this year.
Thanks, that's good context for how you view things.
I'd still argue that there were no reasonable targets this off-season that both fit your parameters AND were a net better player than Murray or Barnes.
Grant at one time was a very good defender with Denver, but he's a very different player now and not worth the price tag IMO.
So that leaves finding a better bench option than Edwards, which McNair was apparently trying to do with Torrey Craig. Prosper might fit that bill in a couple seasons, but I doubt he does this year.
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Is Keon Ellis sitting on the Kings bench 3rd string waiting to get in actually better for his game/development than playing big minutes for Stockton though?
Thats where I think this whole lets sign him to the big club, like he's earned some final promotion, seems a bit like racing up to a redlight if you ask me..
Cuz for me, I'd actually want him with the ball in his hands, seems important... playing 30+mpg. getting big reps working on those combo guard skills, getting that AST:TO above 2:1 even 2½:1 is a major step for him, kinda hard to believe he could improve like that while just sitting on the bench doing mostly cheerleading duty.
we can just put Davion Mitchell in at SG right now instead of Keon Ellis.. y'kno? Dont think that gets mentioned enough... Keon's solid n all but he's not ready to take those minutes from Davion from what I've seen.. So he is a bit redundant right now tbh.. But for me Keon on a two-way as he just signed is beneficial for him and the Kings.. We can always upgrade the deal, its a two-way, so no need to jump at it too early.
Thats where I think this whole lets sign him to the big club, like he's earned some final promotion, seems a bit like racing up to a redlight if you ask me..
Cuz for me, I'd actually want him with the ball in his hands, seems important... playing 30+mpg. getting big reps working on those combo guard skills, getting that AST:TO above 2:1 even 2½:1 is a major step for him, kinda hard to believe he could improve like that while just sitting on the bench doing mostly cheerleading duty.
we can just put Davion Mitchell in at SG right now instead of Keon Ellis.. y'kno? Dont think that gets mentioned enough... Keon's solid n all but he's not ready to take those minutes from Davion from what I've seen.. So he is a bit redundant right now tbh.. But for me Keon on a two-way as he just signed is beneficial for him and the Kings.. We can always upgrade the deal, its a two-way, so no need to jump at it too early.
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well physically Prosper does fit in the upper tier Quadrant. Whether he can shoot is another question. Upper left is stretch 4, upper right is 3 and D, lower right is a 2 guard. All wings have to be able to shoot the three or they are either a big or a ball handler.
if they can create shots for themselves and others they are an all star. If the are in Quad 3 and can create for others they are Leonard or Durant.
a good defensive team typically has 1 or more in Quad 3. Celtics have 2 in Brown and Tatum and Smart at 6’9” is close. And they also have a shot blocking big with above average standing reach. Rob Williams Standing Reach is 9’ 4”.
kings really have only Edwards in Tier 3 and Queta with the standing reach
if they can create shots for themselves and others they are an all star. If the are in Quad 3 and can create for others they are Leonard or Durant.
a good defensive team typically has 1 or more in Quad 3. Celtics have 2 in Brown and Tatum and Smart at 6’9” is close. And they also have a shot blocking big with above average standing reach. Rob Williams Standing Reach is 9’ 4”.
kings really have only Edwards in Tier 3 and Queta with the standing reach
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