of all the criticisms against Jalen this has always been the stupidest. The problem with JG is not his toughness or some supposed lack of masculinity (not that women can't be tough). Dude played two full seasons + more straight, through numerous nagging injuries, how many guys do that in today's league? Dude is tough as nails. (See what I did there?) The problem is his basketball skills. Namely his processing ability, passing, jump shooting not being elite enough to play the way he does, etc. All traits which Cam Whitmore shares in spades, by the way. It might be time to move on and let him try his luck elsewhere, but not because he paints his f*cking nails. Who gives a sh*t.
Frankly Jalen isn't that smart, has a fairly low BBall IQ, and his skills are meh - he is also soft, avoids contact, he is a decent player but not what we need if we want to win. DD
He literally admitted that his knees were shaking before and during Game 1, he said the lights were too bright, and the court was too big. Draymond made the nail painting motion and he lost it, he is as soft as they come mentally. We have heard him speak for over 4 years, it is not just about mumbling, listen to the context of his words. Tough as nails does not mean you show up to recess every day and get punked, there is no participation trophy in pro sports. There is not a single NBA player that is afraid of Jalen Green. and not a single one would be intimidated by him on the court. You have to look at the history of his career on the court and off the court as well. He is getting man handled by an older woman twice his age, you know she wears the pants and tells him what to do (this is what happens when you grow up around a bunch of yes men/women who don't challenge you), he was caught on camera dry humping a male teammate, the mumbling, the painted nails just make him an easy target when you look at every thing else. None of this screams tough guy lmao.
I had made up my mind a month ago that Cam was just going to be trade filler this summer. But after the great disappearing act from Green-dini, I feel like Cam needs to get 20+ minutes a night with room to grow into a starter. We should know something by the deadline. You gotta know if Cam can be your closer before you just give him away.
Ive definitely known the Cam type. Heck even at times Ive been a Cam type myself. Srew Cam, still. Its his own fault for lack of maturity to his craft. A true UNPROVEN young professional doesnt say "Give me 35 minutes or give me nothing". If the UNPROVEN professional gets 15 minutes, make the most of those UNPROVEN 15. Dont sulk & pout & act entitled & give nothing those 15. Which spreads that sulky, bad example, crappy morale to everyone else Kobe Bryant played behind Eddie Jones his 1st two years. Started about the same number of games as Cam at same points in career. Kobe didnt dog it. Even buttercup Tracy McGrady sat behind Doug Christie at Toronto, and gave effort as a reserve. Giving 2 blocks a game off the bench. Where is that kind of buy-in from Cam? I dont say to give up on Cam. Just that while he has use on the team, he created his own way off the team just as much. Nobody's getting fired of Cam's future "blow up"
Yes, I didn't say START Cam, I said PLAY HIM - the difference in your statement above is that those guys still played - because the org could see it would benefit the team in the long run. Ime - sat him - and wouldn't play him - GREAT coaches play the players they know will be good, that just need to adjust to the league......same for Reed...... And how can CAM have buy in when his ass has more splinters than an old oak table? Literally Ime Ukoka just wasted an entire year of Cam and Reed's careers pushing out their NBA readiness further.....what a waste of time. DD