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Following Potential 2025 Draftees

i've always thought it was best to surround a guy like Lamelo with shooters. maybe VJ can become that. it would make for a big, dynamic back court for sure. ultimately, lamelo is hurt so often, maybe the fit with lamelo doesn't matter all that much in the long run.
 
I think the Tre and VJ as point guards in the NBA discussion is a little silly, but I at least gave it a chance. I watched the turnover and assist portions of their hardwood hoops videos and here are my notes:

- Neither player is running plays for their team or getting their team in an offense. Neither are asked to do enough to really say anything definitively. They both had a few PNR ballhandling possessions that I saw and both looked pretty good. Texas ran an off screen play for Tre where he would get the ball and pass it that was very effective. They both had a few drive and kicks, but in general weren't really breaking down the offense off the dribble very often.
- Tre Johnson is closer than VJ in having point guard level skills. I don't love his handle (aesthetically), but it seems to work for him. He definitely has a score first mentality, but is a willing passer out of double teams. He has some advanced anticipation of plays developing before they happen which is really interesting, but the volume on those type of plays is low. The majority of his turnovers are due to lazy passes and traveling violations. I would assume he can clean those up.
- VJ has a more point guard mentality than Tre. He is always looking up and ready to pass and get teammates involved. He is very good at entry passes and is capable of getting the ball to teammates through tight windows. The majority of his assists are connective passing stuff though. VJ has a long way to go in ball handling and vision to be a point guard though. He dribbles too high and gathers too quickly, he's not comfortable keeping his dribble alive. He has some cross overs and hesitations, so I don' t think he's as bad as some have talked about here, but he gets the ball poked. The best part of watching VJ turnovers is that they are often followed by a VJ highlight play to get a block or to go take the ball back.

I do think Tre has some potential to develop in to a Keyonte level point guard. Imagine Keyonte, but if he actually made shots. VJ as a point guard is a much bigger stretch based on the film I just watched.


View: https://youtu.be/5gRaJQG9zzQ?si=GAUsf3KCfKXAKHRO


View: https://youtu.be/5UXWyB82nRM?si=ojrqvQeQ_G4s0aj-
 
seattlejazzfan said:
i've always thought it was best to surround a guy like Lamelo with shooters. maybe VJ can become that. it would make for a big, dynamic back court for sure. ultimately, lamelo is hurt so often, maybe the fit with lamelo doesn't matter all that much in the long run.
Click to expand...

VJ is a good set shooter (terrible off the dribble)....but the reason why he's seen as a great fit is the defense. Lamelo isn't going to need a defensive sidekick. You're going to want to surround he and Miller with guys who do the most with the least amount of touches. That could be an elite shooter or rim runner, but VJ is pretty ideal with them as well.

Hornets fans seem 100% locked in on VJ FWIW.
 
SoberasHotRod said:
I think the Tre and VJ as point guards in the NBA discussion is a little silly, but I at least gave it a chance. I watched the turnover and assist portions of their hardwood hoops videos and here are my notes:

- Neither player is running plays for their team or getting their team in an offense. Neither are asked to do enough to really say anything definitively. They both had a few PNR ballhandling possessions that I saw and both looked pretty good. Texas ran an off screen play for Tre where he would get the ball and pass it that was very effective. They both had a few drive and kicks, but in general weren't really breaking down the offense off the dribble very often.
- Tre Johnson is closer than VJ in having point guard level skills. I don't love his handle (aesthetically), but it seems to work for him. He definitely has a score first mentality, but is a willing passer out of double teams. He has some advanced anticipation of plays developing before they happen which is really interesting, but the volume on those type of plays is low. The majority of his turnovers are due to lazy passes and traveling violations. I would assume he can clean those up.
- VJ has a more point guard mentality than Tre. He is always looking up and ready to pass and get teammates involved. He is very good at entry passes and is capable of getting the ball to teammates through tight windows. The majority of his assists are connective passing stuff though. VJ has a long way to go in ball handling and vision to be a point guard though. He dribbles too high and gathers too quickly, he's not comfortable keeping his dribble alive. He has some cross overs and hesitations, so I don' t think he's as bad as some have talked about here, but he gets the ball poked. The best part of watching VJ turnovers is that they are often followed by a VJ highlight play to get a block or to go take the ball back.

I do think Tre has some potential to develop in to a Keyonte level point guard. Imagine Keyonte, but if he actually made shots. VJ as a point guard is a much bigger stretch based on the film I just watched.


View: https://youtu.be/5gRaJQG9zzQ?si=GAUsf3KCfKXAKHRO


View: https://youtu.be/5UXWyB82nRM?si=ojrqvQeQ_G4s0aj-
Click to expand...


Personally, I couldn't really care less about the position labels. It's more about the extent to which these guys can do things with the ball in their hands and/or what you would consider traditional PG skills. I think the "I'm a PG" thing is really just a good marketing move.

I think Tre has a better handle and obviously really shoot it off the dribble. He can be very similar to Jamal Murray who is a "PG" and has been one of my main comparisons throughout this cycle. I think that's realistic. OTOH, the ability to apply rim pressure is not really something that gets developed often in the NBA. I think Tre is behind Key in this sense. Key broke the paint more and was willing to challenge the big.....you're just not setting up your teammates much if you take the mid range pullup every time.

VJ can't dribble as well or shoot off the dribble at all, but he does apply pressure to rim. I think his passing is as good as Tre, but he has more ability to breakdown the defense and create for others. I would argue he has more to improve on, but those improvements are more realistic and have happened more historically.
 
KqWIN said:
New comparisons:

Tre -> SGA
VJ -> RWB
Kon -> Luka
Ace -> Cade

Everybody is PG
Click to expand...
LOL this is ridiculous

Tre is SGA+ (Tre is a better shooter... shrug)
VJ is taller CP3
Kon is thicc Steve Nash
Ace is Penny Hardaway
Malauch is Jokic with amazing rim defense.
 
Is there any way Maluach is high on our board? Especially if Kessler is available(read some report saying the Jazz are listening to offers for him the other day)?
 
stitches said:
Here's a total hypothetical scenario.

The Jazz trade Kessler...
The Jazz trade Lauri+21 for #3 and PG

Ace/Tre/VJ and Maluach at 3 and 5?
Click to expand...

I've honestly done very little on Maluach so I don't know how to feel. If we really believe in him and still have reservations on Kessler I don't mind it. I'm not looking to trade Kessler but I see how his value could be very high right now.
 
KqWIN said:
I've honestly done very little on Maluach so I don't know how to feel. If we really believe in him and still have reservations on Kessler I don't mind it. I'm not looking to trade Kessler but I see how his value could be very high right now.
Click to expand...
Same, I haven't really watched him, besides whatever I've seen of him while watching Flagg and Kon.
 
I could it if we traded Kessler for a haul AND Maluach slipped in the draft to the late lotto and we nabbed another pick. So basically I don't see it.
 
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