Tetsujin
The Game Thread Dude
hE hAsN't BeEn As GoOd As I eXpEcTeD oN dEfEnSe!
Scottie Barnes has looked like a freaking superstar to start the year and Mobley is going to be a monster but aside from that Davion might have an argument for most impactful rookie.Has another rookie been better through the first 9-10 games? I think not.
Has another rookie been better through the first 9-10 games? I think not.
yeah Barnes is the one everyone is talking about and Mobley too but the fact they are talking about a 9th pick from the Kings everyone questioned very early on is a huge win on its own.
Scottie Barnes has looked like a freaking superstar to start the year and Mobley is going to be a monster but aside from that Davion might have an argument for most impactful rookie.
Mobley and Barnes look like future superstars and way further ahead on O than people expected I think, Giddey and Wagner have been rock solid, but the other ball-handlers/wings (Cade, Green, Suggs) have really struggled early. My top 5 would probably look like through 9 games:
Mobley
Barnes
Mitchell
Wagner
Giddey
Duarte has also looked like a real nice find for Indy for a late first. Herb Jones playing strong defense and already playing a huge role on the hurt Pelicans. Once the top guys get going, this looks like it's going to be a real league-changing draft; especially on the defensive end.
Lonzo Ball?
hE hAsN't BeEn As GoOd As I eXpEcTeD oN dEfEnSe!
Lonzo has always had great defense. Just underrated in that area.
It’s kinda funny, Lonzo came into the league drastically overrated offensively. Not many predicted he’d be better defensively.
Kings missed a perfect draft by a few picks in the 2nd round. Davion and Herb Jones on the perimeter and this Kings team has the defensive perimeter fixed for the next ten years.
And as for Jones his offensive upside is still considerable. Dude can drive and dish. Just missing a shot. Wanted him badly. Ugh.
yeah I was right there with you. He was a classic case of falling because he was 22 years old when he came out. Had he been 19, he would have been a late lottery pick.
The shot is still a legit concern, but even if he can raise it to Mo Harkless levels, I think he's got clear starter upside. Just can't be a wing player in the NBA without a shot, unless you're the unicorn athlete that Ben Simmons is. Even if it doesn't, he'll stick as an 8-9 man for a long time.
I know this board was really high on Moses Moody, but I thought and still think Jones is a better player in the near and long term. Age matters, but we’re talking a 19 and 22 yr old. Both are young.
For me, it was simple. The only thing Moody had over Jones was a three point shot. Jones is bigger, longer, more athletic, a superior driver, facilitator and defender.
And to be clear, I think Moody will end up being a good ten year pro. Just didn’t understand why one was a lottery pick and the other fell to the second.
its a shooting League
I'm glad he's been looking a bit better as of late but it sure would be nice if we could get some players that are good at both offense and defense.
You can see the skill there with him. He's got moves and he's got handles but there is a lot of work to be done with his finishing abilities. Hopefully someone gets him watching tape of IT in his prime so he can learn how to use his body to shield defenders as he's attempting to finish inside. IT was great at it because it either got him the whistle or gave him enough space to get the shot attempt off. Davion doesn't do this and it's why he doesn't get to the line and gets blocked fairly easily in the paint. Hoping he comes back after the offseason and has this in his bag.
I'm glad he's been looking a bit better as of late but it sure would be nice if we could get some players that are good at both offense and defense.
You can see the skill there with him. He's got moves and he's got handles but there is a lot of work to be done with his finishing abilities. Hopefully someone gets him watching tape of IT in his prime so he can learn how to use his body to shield defenders as he's attempting to finish inside. IT was great at it because it either got him the whistle or gave him enough space to get the shot attempt off. Davion doesn't do this and it's why he doesn't get to the line and gets blocked fairly easily in the paint. Hoping he comes back after the offseason and has this in his bag.
But that's just a theme with this team in general. Too many threes when their shots aren't falling. When they focus on playing through the paint, their offense is worlds better.
I'm glad he's been looking a bit better as of late but it sure would be nice if we could get some players that are good at both offense and defense.
You can see the skill there with him. He's got moves and he's got handles but there is a lot of work to be done with his finishing abilities. Hopefully someone gets him watching tape of IT in his prime so he can learn how to use his body to shield defenders as he's attempting to finish inside. IT was great at it because it either got him the whistle or gave him enough space to get the shot attempt off. Davion doesn't do this and it's why he doesn't get to the line and gets blocked fairly easily in the paint. Hoping he comes back after the offseason and has this in his bag.
I imagine that's why he's always scoring 17 PTs on 17 shots even during this hot stretch offensively.
And once the rookie shine wears off, his tendency to iso and stop ball is really going to annoy this fanbase.
Maybe he would not have to ISO so much if we had a playmaker in the front court to play off of.
A rookie who is already pulling his weight on D, has some playmaking ability, and has tools to become more efficient on offense is a good get late in the lottery.