Explosiveness, high motor on both ends, defense, team play, does the small things. Im not fixated on either or as educated on the prospects as some but I think thats bulk of the list.
Following Potential 2025 Draftees
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I would go VJ just because Im more certain of his ability to at least be an average defender and he has the athletic upside to be more.
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Let me just say... I like Tre.... but is he a lot different than Sensabaugh? He moves better... he's likely better on defense... but if Hardy hates Brice someone tell me why he would love and want Tre?
Like the big thing with Tre is shooting and scoring. Their college shooting numbers and scoring volume is pretty close. Brice is a trash defender but Tre is supposedly not good. There are levels to this but like Will hasn't been really enthused with this type of prospect but maybe its more about work ethic/approach/personality.
Like the big thing with Tre is shooting and scoring. Their college shooting numbers and scoring volume is pretty close. Brice is a trash defender but Tre is supposedly not good. There are levels to this but like Will hasn't been really enthused with this type of prospect but maybe its more about work ethic/approach/personality.
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VJ scares me the least. Like I think he is a starter level player at least in many outcomes. Ace would simultaneously scare me the most if we drafted him or passed on him. Tre I like but would have him behind the other 2. Kas is the guy if you squint a little there is a case he is an offensive engine or can be a critical part to it.
Right now I think it'd be Ace but I'd be sad about passing on VJ.
Don’t compare their numbers if that’s your concern.
Anyways, while I definitely agree that Hardy hates Brice it’s hard to pinpoint exactly why. Is it his defensive effort? Or is it his poor decision making on offense? Obviously it’s a combination of both. But if Hardy can fall in love with Key and Clarkson, I’m certain Tre could find himself on the good list as well.
IMO, Tre is similar to Key in his temperament. Clearly a competitive, plays with a lot of fire. Has probably never thought about playing defense in his life and has horrible habits that may not be able to be undone.
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Yeah I'm not sure. Maybe its just a temperament thing. I would just think he would get past it and really try to feature Brice if this type of player was exciting.
I think JC is the longstanding vet and I can see Will understanding he just has to deal with those issues. His love for Key seems to have dwindled a bit. I just worry that if Hardy had periods he didn't love Collin/Brice that if you hand him Tre or Ace that he's not gonna love that. They are all different but have some similar reported flaws.
I can see Will loving VJ.
Yeah I think VJ is fairly safe. I think his mentality+effort will land him at a level similar to Suggs, but if his handle improves that would exponentially increase his level.
Tbh, I'm still not sure if Tre's offense is better than Kas or that he's more likely to an offensive star. I feel like one guy is on a heater and one is not. Maybe the trend continues, but this is why I want to look back once the season is over so I'm not overinfluenced by the last two weeks or whatever. I generally lean towards the guys who find more efficient shots of the tough mid range shot makers, and that would point me to Kas. 3-6 is very volatile and probably won't ever have a super strong opinion on it.
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So if the Hornets land the #2 pick do they trade out or look at moving Ball or just take Harper and figure it out later. Harper fits almost every other tanking team pretty well and the Hornets obviously passed on Scoot even though doing so wasn't popular. They have two more years of data on Ball so likely a different assessment. Just a random lotto thought I had.
VJ is a guy I think most coaches would like, but I'm not really even sure what to think about Hardy's preferences and/or if they're even good or not. He does not strike me as a coach he is a real hard *** about defense. I don't care about an angry press conference or two when he also says to the media it's not his priority in others. The way he's managed his team over the past few seasons also doesn't indicate that he puts a high priority on hard working, defensive minded/two way players.
Personally, I think less about Hardy and more about the general idea that we need to have more emphasis on defensive and two way players.
Brice is uniquely slow at processing.
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I think its VJ's reported personality. I think being serious or a pro might be part of what his issue is with Brice. IDK. Hardy just seems to be a hardass sometimes but I can't figure out if there is a common quality. He and Walker kinda had their issues. Collin got yanked around with his PT a little. Brice stuff... there were also reports of the Jazz not liking Collins slowness to pick up the schemes or whatever... When you are drafting as high as we are then it obviously isn't the biggest concern but if things are equal maybe some of those things are the items that tip the scale?
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Maybe not a slow processor just a bad processor but Taylor struggled there obviously too. It's weird tho because last year Will had Brice almost playing PG at times and I remember messages of "Brice is more than just a shooter".
Whatever it is just get the kid enough PT to make an educated decision (if you have to) on if they continue on with him and where he fits in the priorities etc.
Thee Idiotic Minivan K
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I think he dominates using his elite jump out of the gym athleticism he plays hard plays defense and can shoot. He has all the tools
The argument is that VJ's athleticism and potential to develop more as an off-the-dribble scorer give him more potential to get down hill, put pressure on the rim and create in isolation. The dream is to get a 1st-option guy who is almost unguardable, like Donovan Mitchell or Anthony Edwards. I'll admit that VJ probably does have that high of a ceiling, but there's no guarantee he gets there. He's not as explosive or powerful as guys who have more length and more body mass. He'd also need to have the mentality to take over and beat guys. You'd need to be prepared for him to turn out to be more like Monta Ellis, who was still a very good player.
Then there's the defensive side, where VJ has defensive playmaking.
I think Tre Johnson is a safe pick. You can practically pencil him in as a 25 ppg scorer, as long as his team has adequate coaching. It's just that he's probably going to be your #2 option who plays off the ball and creates from the second side. In other words, his role is that of a Klay Thompson, Ray Allen or Khris Middleton rather than your #1A offensive option. So in that sense, the Jazz would still be looking for that alpha scorer and advantage creator for Tre to play off of. But that said, championship teams normally have a player like Tre Johnson.
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I think Tre is in an altogether different tier from Sensabaugh and even Keyonte. He's a true scorer and three-level guy.
The main question with VJ is how well he's going to shoot off the dribble. Guys like Mitchell and Edwards have become great at it. How far does VJ need to go?
If VJ is going to measure out around 6'3" and 185 lbs, he needs to be shifty, explosive, powerful and show touch off the dribble to consistently beat guys. He needs a full bag. That's a high bar to reach.
If VJ is going to measure out around 6'3" and 185 lbs, he needs to be shifty, explosive, powerful and show touch off the dribble to consistently beat guys. He needs a full bag. That's a high bar to reach.
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Brice is slow at a bunch of things. His feet are a bit slow. His hands are a bit slow. His decision-making is a bit slow. His shot setup and release are a bit slow. He does actually struggle with the pace that Will Hardy wants to play with. You've got guys like Sexton, Collier and Keyonte pushing pace and moving the ball, then everything has to slow down for Brice to get involved. There's a noticeable difference between Brice making plays and Juzang making plays.
jom2003
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Which is what I've been saying. Tre needs to get stronger
kcgar
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Is that why they call me "the Tuna Can?"