Yes, that he is 19 is a big plus. He still has plenty of years, I agree. But I don't see any signs yet.He's 19
This is at best a description for "good", not "elite". Don't you people get it?and kept a very quick and aggressive Ty Lawson from sniffing the paint early in that Denver game. He also seriously slowed down Parker for the Spurs in that game.
Elite means, if someone shows some skills which are rare, very rare. Defending other guards makes you a good player, not elite in the defensive game! Man, I don't understand how you people overrate a 19 years old boy so much.
I didn't say it is all about steals and rebounding. I said, in addition to all the defensive side of a game, steals and/or rebounds make a guard elite. You must pay attention when and where you can use the word "elite". There are handful of guards who are elite when it comes to defense. You can't overvalue some no-name rookie like this.Defense is not all about steals and rebounding (especially for a guard)
I always thought it is the opposite. I thought you can teach the defensive game but not the offensive side because teaching to shoot well and having a court vision (as a guard) can't be taught much. Yes, you can bring up your % a bit for shooting, but statistically you always swing between the same %. And having a court vision, making plays, being smart, dribbling in the paint and playing with big opponent guys like they were dogs, these things you can't teach. It must be a natural thing. But you can teach being more aggressive and attacking the rim, but for the rest good luck. He is a guard, he needs to shoot well and make plays. Not even a bit he has that.Fortunately it is easier to teach a young guy to be a better offensive player than to make them better defensively, at least IMO. I see aggressiveness from him defensively and believe that will eventually transfer to the offensive end.
Saying shallow things like "being an elite passer" is funny. Elite passing you can show how many times in a game, 2 or 3 times. A guard must know how to make plays first, make assists. The 2 or 3 elite passing for an open layup or dunk comes at last.