How did Exum look last night?

[Keefe]

Just posted this in the game thread:

The kid looked great. Kid's shot looks so much smoother. Obviously the ball going in makes it feel that way even more so but even coming out of his hand, it looked more natural, like he was an actual shooter and not some spaz flicking it up to the rim with that awkward hitch he had had. It also seemed like he was very decisive (which I love) both in transition and passing and on defense. I saw the Kobe killer instinct we had all heard about. He just absolutely sprinted up the court, as if he knew he was simply faster and more explosive than everyone else. And it was awesome to see. I want a killer like that.

Now, in those moments, you could see some issues with his handle. Nothing bad really happened last night, but he's moving so damn fast and his stride is so damn long that it's difficult to weave and zig and zag very easily, and so when a guy would begin to attempt to get in his way or defend him, he had to adjust mid-dribble. That's very difficult to do at max speed with that long stride and long/high dribble like he has. Like I said, nothing bad happened, but you can still see he needs to tighten up that dribble. Big time. Because in other games, against better opponents, bad things will happen. He just needs to minimize those moments. His handle's definitely improved though. If he can continue to improve it and develop his body over the next few years like Hayward did, **** me. Dude could be legit.

Another issue I saw, which a lot of NBA players have, is with his ability to get through screens, either by fighting through them, reading the play right, or having a more clear sense of urgency in that moment. It's not a huge concern but it's something to work on.

Right now, I'm on top of the ****ing world. Seriously.

Now, we have to see it consistently. He's not a little kid anymore. He's been in the league four years and injury or not, should feel like he belongs and that he has to make his mark. Sadly, Rubio will be returning and so his playing time will be more limited but I am very excited to watch the remainder of the games this season and really hope he can get about 18-20 minutes a game and continue to kill it.

 

[MDAV28]

Now, in those moments, you could see some issues with his handle. Nothing bad really happened last night, but he's moving so damn fast and his stride is so damn long that it's difficult to weave and zig and zag very easily, and so when a guy would begin to attempt to get in his way or defend him, he had to adjust mid-dribble. That's very difficult to do at max speed with that long stride and long/high dribble like he has. Like I said, nothing bad happened, but you can still see he needs to tighten up that dribble. Big time. Because in other games, against better opponents, bad things will happen. He just needs to minimize those moments. His handle's definitely improved though. If he can continue to improve it and develop his body over the next few years like Hayward did, **** me. Dude could be legit.

I'd imagine in a playoff series, opponents are going to give an insane amount of cushion to Exum on-ball and make him beat you with a pull-up or more advanced handing than a straight-line drive. I'm hopeful he can produce in these scenarios.

 

[Keefe]

I'd imagine in a playoff series, opponents are going to give an insane amount of cushion to Exum on-ball and make him beat you with a pull-up or more advanced handing than a straight-line drive. I'm hopeful he can produce in these scenarios.

Agreed.

 

[Thee Idiotic Minivan K]

With a tighter handle and pull-up game he can absolutely be a full-time PG, and that's where his ceiling is the highest.

If he can improve his handle, great but how realistic is that? I'm not just asking for him but how often does a player improve his handle enough to play pg full time?

The jazz's future could be DM at pg with Exum at sg with Exum playing some backup pg just like Mitchell is doing now.

 

[MDAV28]

If he can improve his handle, great but how realistic is that? I'm not just asking for him but how often does a player improve his handle enough to play pg full time?

The jazz's future could be DM at pg with Exum at sg with Exum playing some backup pg just like Mitchell is doing now.

It's absolutely realistic if it's a focal point of training and coaching. The handle criticism is honestly a little overblown, he has pretty solid control and he can blow by with a crossover. He doesn't need to be Kyrie, he just has to keep the ball a little tighter to adjust to the defense.

It could be, and the way the Jazz play, the "PG" changes every single possession, I just think Exum's ceiling is the highest when he is creating as opposed to sitting in the corner.

 

[jope]

Ingles is the PG on this team right now. Rubio’s output has essentially turned into a combo guard this year, shooting more, assisting less. The offense, besides Rudy and maybe Favors, is actually quite positionless.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

With a tighter handle and pull-up game he can absolutely be a full-time PG, and that's where his ceiling is the highest.

I think part of his ceiling is that he could play up to 3 positions and co exist alongside another ball handler.

I’m just not sure viewing him as the traditional point guard is what is best.

I also don’t think his pull up game ever gets good. His shot mechanics are going to limit that. I think he can be a good set shooter and if you swing him the ball at the three point line and the defender has to close that he could be filthy.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

It's absolutely realistic if it's a focal point of training and coaching. The handle criticism is honestly a little overblown, he has pretty solid control and he can blow by with a crossover. He doesn't need to be Kyrie, he just has to keep the ball a little tighter to adjust to the defense.

It could be, and the way the Jazz play, the "PG" changes every single possession, I just think Exum's ceiling is the highest when he is creating as opposed to sitting in the corner.

His passing needs to improve as well. He often makes the right pass but it doesn’t hit the mark it should... have seen this a couple times throwing to shooters and it is off to the side or low and the adjustment the receiver has to make doesn’t allow the shot to get off.

 

[Coach Ellis]

Ingles is the PG on this team right now. Rubio’s output has essentially turned into a combo guard this year, shooting more, assisting less. The offense, besides Rudy and maybe Favors, is actually quite positionless.

I actually really like that any of Exum/Rubio, Mitchell or Jingles can initiate the offense after a rebound. I don’t think that most teams have that capability.

 

[Thee Idiotic Minivan K]

It's absolutely realistic if it's a focal point of training and coaching. The handle criticism is honestly a little overblown, he has pretty solid control and he can blow by with a crossover. He doesn't need to be Kyrie, he just has to keep the ball a little tighter to adjust to the defense.

It could be, and the way the Jazz play, the "PG" changes every single possession, I just think Exum's ceiling is the highest when he is creating as opposed to sitting in the corner.

My point is that he can't be the primary ball handler that Mitchell or Rubio is when playing point. Exum has a history of not harping pressure well. If he were our full time primary ball handler other teams would realize this weakness and exploit this flaw of his bogging down the offense a bit. Which is why he may end up as a starting sg with DM starting at pg and sharing responsibilities a bit, with Exum playing some backup pg minutes.


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[Handlogten's Heros]

My point is that he can't be the primary ball handler that Mitchell or Rubio is when playing point. Exum has a history of not harping pressure well. If he were our full time primary ball handler other teams would realize this weakness and exploit this flaw of his bogging down the offense a bit. Which is why he may end up as a starting sg with DM starting at pg and sharing responsibilities a bit, with Exum playing some backup pg minutes.


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I think he can be a primary ball handler. I just don’t think he is best used as a traditional point guard. I think he is a hybrid point/attacking wing. I think him DM, Ingles on the floor together provides enough perimeter threats ball handling and passing... no need to label one the PG in our offense and I think that is where Dante can thrive.


One dynamic that may not work is having two non shooter pgs... especially if DMs shot doesn’t get more consistent. I believe it will though. I think Exum can be a better spot up shooter than Rubio and that will really help.

DMX backcourt looks sexier and sexier every day... can’t even say no homo... i might be basketball attracted and sexually attracted... it’s causing emotions in my heart I’m not fully ready to acknowledge.

 

[MVP]

While I am very excited to see Dante having a good game I would not rush yet to declare him our future saviour. Kanter had 20/20 games and yet ended up traded and not being in the Jazz future plans. I need to see more. I need to see what he does when defences start packing the paint and dare him to shoot from mid range or when they start putting some decent perimeter defenders on him instead of some bench scrubs... The fact that he made open 3's was awesome now I need to see contested jumpers to go in.

 

[Joe Bagadonuts]

At the very least, Dante has proven that he is way, way, way better at basketball than the haters have tried to convince us. Hopefully he remains on this path and stays healthy. I cannot imagine the Jazz not resigning him. And he's gunna get paid.

 

[Thee Idiotic Minivan K]

I think he can be a primary ball handler. I just don’t think he is best used as a traditional point guard. I think he is a hybrid point/attacking wing. I think him DM, Ingles on the floor together provides enough perimeter threats ball handling and passing... no need to label one the PG in our offense and I think that is where Dante can thrive.


One dynamic that may not work is having two non shooter pgs... especially if DMs shot doesn’t get more consistent. I believe it will though. I think Exum can be a better spot up shooter than Rubio and that will really help.

DMX backcourt looks sexier and sexier every day... can’t even say no homo... i might be basketball attracted and sexually attracted... it’s causing emotions in my heart I’m not fully ready to acknowledge.

Isn't this basically how I described it?


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[elan_prodigy]

While I am very excited to see Dante having a good game I would not rush yet to declare him our future saviour. Kanter had 20/20 games and yet ended up traded and not being in the Jazz future plans. I need to see more. I need to see what he does when defences start packing the paint and dare him to shoot from mid range or when they start putting some decent perimeter defenders on him instead of some bench scrubs... The fact that he made open 3's was awesome now I need to see contested jumpers to go in.

Why would he be taking contested jumpers? All he has to be atm is an upgrade on Neto, which he is.

 

[str8line]

Funny to see guys who have been skeptical if not dismissive of Dante getting in line for his autograph. Haters gonna bandwagon.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Isn't this basically how I described it?


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Somewhat. I think he can be a full time point guard in a more traditional system but that it might be hard for him to balance attack and pass.

In our system we move and find the advantage and he can do more attacking. I think we function better without a primary handler and that helps him hit his ceiling. Complement DM pretty well too because he is in a similar boat.

I wasn’t disagreeing just an FYI just adding my thoughts to yours.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Funny to see guys who have been skeptical if not dismissive of Dante getting in line for his autograph. Haters gonna bandwagon.

I was a doubter until summer league. But never a hater... just didn’t see enough flashes and saw worrisome things.

Saw it in summer league and it looked good and I was super hopeful. Glad to see him building on it.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Why would he be taking contested jumpers? All he has to be atm is an upgrade on Neto, which he is.

I don’t want him taking contested jumpers and his release time and mechanics are going to make that tough.

If he hits 40% on open set threes he’s a nightmare to close out to.

Not throwing Ricky under the bus but that’s been an issue with him. When he isn’t hitting you can ignore him... and he isn’t much of a threat to drive.

 

[Quin's Murderface]

My point is that he can't be the primary ball handler that Mitchell or Rubio is when playing point. Exum has a history of not harping pressure well. If he were our full time primary ball handler other teams would realize this weakness and exploit this flaw of his bogging down the offense a bit. Which is why he may end up as a starting sg with DM starting at pg and sharing responsibilities a bit, with Exum playing some backup pg minutes.


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I'm not sure the early game issues (he didn't have any TO's but a couple teams pressured him pretty heavily and made it look a bit shaky) were anything other than rust. He had reportedly worked on his handle a ton over the summer and looked fine in preseason. It hasn't been an issue since like the 3rd game back and he's been using his left quite a bit. Last night he looked pretty capable of running sets. It's just a matter of letting him do it more often. You can tell that Quin still doesn't trust him to handle the ball and run the offense as much as Ricky. I think the nice thing about the Jazz offense is that any of the three guards can run a terminal action like PnR. The great thing about letting Dante do this more is that he can create great shots quite often because of his physical advantages. If he's off ball you lose a big part of his skillset, and put a ton of pressure on other guys who don't have the physical advantages that Dante has. Dante has shown a willingness to pass to a fault in previous seasons. I think people forget that we all wanted him to take it to the hoop more often. Now he's doing it quite a bit and that will force teams to collapse and will open up passes.

If I was another team I'd be wary of trying to guard Exum full court with his speed. Even when he looked rusty he drew a couple fouls by guys being too aggressive. And he's always a threat to just blow by and get a layup or kick to a corner three (he's done that a few times this year so far). I've always thought that where his ball handling issues were most important was just in tight spaces in the half court. Donovan and Ricky both have more tricks in those areas and change speeds better. They probably also have it easier because they are both smaller.