All I know is every time I look up D Mo is absolutely wrestling the ball from the wolves. That sequence for him, ( 3 straight possessions?) a right hand 6 foot hook shot, a turn around left hand hook shot then 2 foul shots were just beautiful. I think it's the beard. he has the LOOK going on man. Studly.
Sabonis was of rare breed of supercenters. Remember well him playing healthy. He was listed 225 cm, that's 7'4'' with no shoes (and long handles with soft wrists). But DMo's court vision, passing abilities, hook shots with both hands and spin moves - something similar. Sabonis (healthy or no) didn't have spin moves and hook shots with his off hand - he didn't need to. Because he was TALL and LONG. But what DMo does lately is of really quality stuff. I think Harden makes a conscious effort to feed him in the post because he is a smart guy and sees what DMo can do in practices. And having a big that possibly soon will require doubling in the post - make slife for everyone else on the offense much easier. especially with DMo's passing potential. All that DMo has shown is still in the category of "potential". If he will play consistently every game like that through ~30 min - that will become his "skill set". It will all go down with how he will co-exist with egomaniac superman.
I would absolutely LOVE to see some data on Donuts shooting percentages with each hand. From what I've seen Donuts almost has to be the top player for shooting the most percentage of shots with his off hand (right). I don't think there is another player that shoots as many shots with his off hand as Donuts does. I'd love to see some data on that and some data on the difference in his shooting percentages with each hand. I kinda think from just watching the games that there is probably a significant difference in his shooting percentages. He's probably shooting around 68% with his left on those hooks/layups and probably closer to 50% with his right hand on hooks/layups with I'm thinking probably no greater than a 60/40 or perhaps 55/45 split between shots taken with the left vs. shots taken with the right. I really like his ambidexterity and I think he's still got a ways to go to still improve with his right hand even more. Being able to turn either way and shoot the hook with either hand is very, very impressive and rare even in the NBA. And I don't think I've ever seen anyone (including Hakeem) in over 35 years of watching this game who uses his off hand as much as Donuts.
D-Mo is only listed as a left hander because there is no choice of both. And it makes him really difficult to guard. What do you do when you cannot shade a player to his off hand?
He mentions that he is still sometimes inconsistent on D (developing on D) and inconsistent rebounding (struggling on the glass) I do not know who is more legit. Guys were saying he was an 'almost elite defender'.
Pray? I still think there's enough difference that teams will try to force him to his right. He's just not as efficient with that right hand as his natural left which is to be expected. But......he's the best I've ever seen at using his off-hand. And I'd love to see his shooting data with his right hand.
LOL. There are a number of "developing defenders" in the NBA. For example Davis. An NBA player can be elite and still developing. So I fail to get your point.
I still wonder why DMo is a mediocre rebounder. He has the same defensive skills as Asik (maybe not as good be fairly similar). But the difference is, Asik almost always comes up with the defensive rebound after his man has missed. Not so with DMo. And he's actually quite good at boxing out. Maybe because he has short arms?
He does not goes for them like Asik does... he gets them if ball falls his way, but first thing he looks for is to box out his man.
I am guessing it is partly because Asik is physically stronger, and he welcomes contact. His wider base helps here too. D-Mo is more finesse.
I think it is hand strength/ size. He often gets both hands on the ball and then still loses the rebound. It is too bad Howard's ego gets in the way of DMo being the primary post option for the Rockets, because with Howard's rebounding and shot blocking skill, he and DMo are a great front court compliment to each other. I am really looking forward to see how DMo can do against Aldridge.
I noticed he just leaves the ball for guards and forwards usually, even though the bal is like few inches away. My guess he doesnt try to be stat w****.
