Has Kanter improved every game in the summer league?

[vslice02]

I find it mildly ironic that I'm supporting the notion that Kanter is not a "bust," considering my reservations which I made clear prior to the 2011 NBA Draft, but it's absolutely ludicrous to judge Kanter label a "bust" or "disappointment" at this stage in his career.

Going back to January of this year - there were those on Jazzfanz lamenting Derrick Favors' seeming lack of progression...big guys just develop at odd rates and one minute you may be unimpressed but suddenly a light can come on and then it's full speed ahead. There's alot Kanter still needs to work on before he's capable of playing starters minutes - but there's also alot to like.

We're less than 2 months removed from the conclusion of a whirlwind 66-game compressed schedule - and I wasn't expecting significant improvement in that time. While ideally players would improve their games constantly 24/7 - in reality the kid probably needed to take some time off (outside of the visit to P3), came to Orlando in less than peak game condition, and probably hasn't spent a great amount of time honing his craft. Still has nearly 3 months until training camp - plenty of time to work on his primary weaknesses (an initial left-shoulder jump hook, balance/quickness getting off the floor).

Kanter's not like an Araujo who came into the league at 24, or Jarron Collins at 22-23. He's only 20 and just scratching the surface of his development. He's not a quick player but he needs to be a quick thinker...right now he's not playing on instinct and it's slowing him down. Perhaps he never gets to that point, but if he does he'll provide a very effective presence in the post in adition to his already strong ability to rebound the basketball.

 

[jope]

One thing about TO's is that you're just not used to the other guys in summer league.

the thing that worries me is that (almost) all of his turnovers were him either traveling or getting stripped/losing the ball. Once on the block he doesnt have to read what the other guys in summer league are doing because he almost never passes.

I didn't get to see today's game .. and reading this thread makes me no more knowledgable. Do you guys think he's a bust? Still just too young?

I have no idea, he's so up and down.

he's shown very little defensive effort in each SL game i've watched, (minus rebounding which he is still owning at). but when Miles Plumlee goes 6-7 on you because you basically just stand there and let him shoot over you, it should be concerning.

He'll get blocked, turn it over, then get scored on.... then, do an amazing post move for a reverse layup.

Also, (off topic a bit) but where is his fabled long range game? (remember the pre-draft camparisons to Dirk? WTF did that come from?)

I think this all indicates it might be age, but more realistically just his lack of recent b-ball.

derrick favors is young, (less than a year older than kanter) but his consistent b-ball play over his lifetime is really separating the two. not to mention he is basically twice the athlete.