Well, let's not get crazy here. lol. One of the reasons Jalen's drive was impeded on the initial attempt was Nix came over to help by getting in front of him on that play, so Jalen backed off. After that, he kind of got by Jabari, but was met by 2 more defenders in the paint. That was pretty good team defense. Despite all that, I do love Jabari's potential on defense more than I care about his early shooting woes. Just like Jalen, I'm going to give him a season or two before having too much of an opinion about him. He does move his feet damn good for someone that tall, though, and has great wingspan to go along with it.
I'm looking forward to seeing how a front line of Alpi, Jabari and Tari play together in games. Hopefully, Silas will experiment with that trio along with Green and whoever he puts in at the one. Terrific defense from Jabari. Can't say I'm surprised, though.
Yeah that is a great blend of defensive versatility & length mixed in with athletic fast break opportunities, offensive creativity, spacing, and a go to guy when all else fails. I personally wasn't sure what Senguns future holds, but I really like him so I was rooting for him. The additions of Bari and Tari gives me a lot more positive outlook on Senguns next few years here
I meant to include "in games," so I think I'll add that. Bari giving Green some high level defense to work against can't help but improve his game. Love the possibilities.
The other players did limit the space Jalen could use. But it was Jabari on him the whole time. Nix's presence prevented Jalen from going outside, but it was Jabari who cut him off and forced him to back off. There was a big guy (Fernando?) under the basket, but Jabari had kept up to challenge the shot anyway. Maybe that wasn't 100% 1 on 1 defense. But it was impressive on ball defense against one of the fastest guys.
I really enjoy the way Jabari Smith utilizes his wingspan on defense, his defensive discipline is incredible and was something I noticed he did a lot of in summer league as well. Most players do not keep a wide stance with their arms the way Smith does. For example, this is how Gobert guards players in isolation in the perimeter. Jabari Smith knows how to utilize his wing span to full effect.
Quite of a upgrade over Woods. Doesn't need the bal to be effective, on a whole another level defensively
That brought back memories of Shane "we don't need no stinkin' stats" Battier. Obviously they're different players, but that defensive intensity would make Battier proud.
TyTy looked the most comfortable in the point guard drill clips. His handle is tighter than the other guards, he understands change of pace and how it effects his teammates/passing angles. He the only natural Point Guard on the roster. Hopefully Silas and Stone recognize this immediately.
No, I agree - even in a vacuum, for a guy his size to keep up with Jalen on that was pretty impressive. I was just saying initially Nix made Jalen think twice about that drive, but he eventually took it anyway. On the way to the paint, you'll see Eric Gordon (?) actually with his right foot in the paint also guarding against Jalen's drive but then darts away - not sure if he was guarding a pass-off or just got juked. Then you finally have the guy in the paint guarding the rim, Fernando(?). By that point, Jalen was past Jabari, but Jabari still had a shot to swat the ball from behind. There were probably 4 guys trying to guard Jalen's drive on that play. You can freeze the video the moment Jalen's foot hits the paint and see them all trying to take something away. It makes me smile because we have a dude that can cause that kind of gravity as well as a guy in Jabari that somehow stayed with the play for almost the entire length combined with pretty decent team defense.
He cut him off the 1st time because he had help and the 2nd time he would have had a layup if the other guy was not in the lane, he got the shot off easily. It's not even a negative, I don't know anyone has to make it something it's not.
This dude posted some videos on Twitter, it’s not much tho. One thing you’ll probably notice is Nix still sucks. He gotta look down to dribble sometimes and he has bad timing on passes. He’s also slow for a guard.
