vslice02
Well-Known Member
Highlights from Mo's rookie season with Utah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pgjpXzO6FY
Couple of thoughts:
-You can really see the work Mo's put in since his rookie year. In 2003 he still had that college 3pt range and rarely made anything outside of 21-feet. Obviously now he's a bonafide 3pt threat.
-Even though he was the 3rd PG, Sloan played Williams alot at the 2, many times late in games where his speed and quickness really caused some mismatches both scoring, getting out in transition (playing off-the-ball he could really change ends quickly), and pressuring the ball defensively. IMO his defensive intensity has dropped off (expected now that he's a starter instead of a 2nd-rnd pick fighting to make the team) but he definitely has the ability if not necessarily the size. I thought he was a pretty good defender in Cleveland so it's quite possible the coach/environment is the determining factor.
-Mo's 2003-04 season averages of 5.0 pts, 1.3 ast, 1.3 reb and 38% FG shooting don't really tell the story of his rookie season. He was really impressive, he had great speed, played some important crunchtime minutes, and he really competed at both ends.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pgjpXzO6FY
Couple of thoughts:
-You can really see the work Mo's put in since his rookie year. In 2003 he still had that college 3pt range and rarely made anything outside of 21-feet. Obviously now he's a bonafide 3pt threat.
-Even though he was the 3rd PG, Sloan played Williams alot at the 2, many times late in games where his speed and quickness really caused some mismatches both scoring, getting out in transition (playing off-the-ball he could really change ends quickly), and pressuring the ball defensively. IMO his defensive intensity has dropped off (expected now that he's a starter instead of a 2nd-rnd pick fighting to make the team) but he definitely has the ability if not necessarily the size. I thought he was a pretty good defender in Cleveland so it's quite possible the coach/environment is the determining factor.
-Mo's 2003-04 season averages of 5.0 pts, 1.3 ast, 1.3 reb and 38% FG shooting don't really tell the story of his rookie season. He was really impressive, he had great speed, played some important crunchtime minutes, and he really competed at both ends.