Not sure what you are getting at considering bold predictions and takes are freely expressed on this fan site which draws from fans like you and I. But to answer you I ask are sports analysts always correct? Do they have absolute truth and knowledge? Were they right about Banchero? At the end of the day it is simply my take after reading the reports, watching tape, and seeing the summer league games. Yes Murray is a superior player to Smith based on his skill set, abilities, and performance thus far. If you read the other posts I mentioned the Rockets may like him for other qualities he brings to the table including intangibles and already know he isn’t an all world scorer or playmaker.
You keep doubling down on SL declarations. Is this your first time watching the NBA? Do you think players are static and that they are who they are after SL?
That’s not what he is saying at all. Anyway you want a comp? Rashard Lewis. 1-2 all star games avg hovering about 20 ppg or less. Smith has better defense and other intangibles.
I never said I wanted a comp. I think comps are a useless exercise because I believe player evolve and learn new skills. Also because I have no doubts in my mind a player as talented and as hard working as bari will add stuff to his game. Every year everyone is prisoner to the moment. last year Green was lighting up summer league while Mobley had a middling performance at best and look at how much of the season played out. So as early as last year we have an example.
What does that have to do with "clearly superior"? The future is irrelevant. All that matters to prove that statement is a consensus that a player is better. The fact that one was rumored to go first and the other never rumored to go higher than 4th; I'd say is compelling evidence against such statements... Now if you're saying clearly superior in your eyes then that's different...
Read my previous posts dude. I discussed this at length. Yung T discussed it as well. Summary: it isn’t about players staying put and not developing. Players are who they are and their style and identity is set. They hone their skills and make improvements to their game in small increments not a drastic change. Some argue age and that he will somehow be a great ball handler playing one on one or even point forward and that’s not how development works. If that’s the case garrison matthews can turn into harden with handles. As a player you build your identity and style and game through the years. Sometimes your role determined for you. Please don’t be condescending and ask whether I have ever watched basketball. It’s insulting. Have you played the game before? I have. And you don’t take people off the dribble or become a point guard if that’s not your identity or game.
Thank you - in a SEA of terrible hot takes, this guy gets it! Worth noting that Klay and Kawhi both did not have great handles when they entered the league so let's not think Jabari can't score unless he can create in an ISO situation because those guys clearly have found other ways to make a big impact on a game without being expert shot creators. To Kawhi's credit he eventually developed that skill - Klay still scores mostly within a system which I think is ultimately how Jabari will score....but totally agree with your point that trying to teach Jabari to be a perimeter playmaker is probably really low on the priority list of his development. I don't know where the Durant comp came from but aside from having a nearly unblockable shot due to their size, their game fresh out of college couldn't be more different. I'm guessing the "disappointed with Jabari" crowd either thought they were getting a young Durant(which means you didn't actually watch how he scored in college) or they see Paolo as a point forward and think that we need more ball dominant players on this team. I'm with you that there are limits to the effectiveness of Paolo - especially on this roster where you don't want to waste most of the shot clock on a mid range jumper when you have Jalen and Scoot on the team hitting 3s and getting to the rim at high levels....but I DO think Paolo is a great fit in Orlando because they don't have a playmaker of his caliber so hopefully he helps unlock the game of some of his teammates. Ultimately though, Jabari does more for us in our system with our personnel. Similar to Golden State, when Green or Scott drives the defense has to be very careful where they help because we just added an elite shooter who also raises our floor on defense. I think Jabari is overall the better floor raiser for our specific team.
Thats your opinion. You value the media’s takes and I differ in that regard no need to drag out and argue lol. Everyone is free to express their opinion right? And if you want a discussion then explain to me how Smith is a better scorer than Murray? Now that would be a good discussion with facts and data etc.
As a matter of fact I've played most of my life and if you look at my previous posts you'll see that I don't believe he should have point guard handles. Not every player should or needs to be able to cook their man off the dribble like Iverson. I think that's an unreasonable expectation. But to dismiss the possibility that he develops an effective and efficient handle to get to his spots is ridiculous. Plenty of players have ce into the league poor/stiff handles and have developed effective handles. I think it's shortsighted to say otherwise
One thing about development is Kawhi Leonard much like Derozan who someone mentioned on here already had handles. Kawhi dribble drove on people from the wing and broke guys down with his dribble. He ran full court in breaks. He already had the skill set, style, and identity as that player. Just something i want to add because there’s such a big misconception about development.
I agree he will never be a point guard ala LeBron, but to think he will not develop competent handles that will allow him to put the ball in the floor and be a driving or passing threat is ludicrous. I gave you an example of a player who had poor handlers for his position (someone even posted the scouting report) and improved remarkably. Point is he can get better. He doesn't need to be a point forward, not sure why people are stuck on that. Like he doesn't have to run the offensive. But there's no reason to think he can't take a big off the dribble the way Chet can. He may never be the passer Banchero is but he doesn't need to be to fully open him up to an offensive machine. Just look at a guy like Klay Thompson. The ability to shoot accurately can open up all sorts of things for you especially when combined with height. He can absolutely get to the point of having the handles of say a Chris Bosh. Yes he has to work hard, but I don't think that's a ridiculous goal for him
He had 19 shots but drawn 0 FTs last game. He bricked most of them. He hardly drives to the paint when his shots aren’t falling. I know his handling isn’t good but he looks lost when he can’t make shots.
Jabari is not a guard, nor is he really a small forward or point forward. He's a 6'10 PF shooter that can guard 5 positions. He does not need guard level handles to be effective. How many dribbles does Klay take to be effective, and he's a GUARD. What Jabari needs more than anything is knowing how to run around and get open shots, learn 1-2 go to moves in a straight line drive, and learn how to finish consistently at the rim. Ball handling while important, does not determine whether he will be a star. Great ball handling might turn him into a super star, but that is not realistic at this point to discuss. Jabari is quite robotic in his movements, I don't think he will ever be a point forward that makes plays on the fly. I personally don't think there's been a single player in the SL that is clearly "superior", every top pick have some flaws that needs serious work to elevate them to all star status.
I never said that. Again read my posts. Essentially we are saying the same thing. But i ask Who has “poor stiff” handles and developed into a great ball handler? What do you mean by poor and stiff? A lot of people on this board cited kawhi or derozan not having handles. Those guys can go north south their whole career. They can dribble drive and take their guy off the dribble. So you would have to clearly define what you mean by poor and stiff. Again I want to clear up misconceptions about development.
Do you know players that can do everything well? Shoot, pass, and more importantly, dribble! Call 1-800-GLOBLETROTTERS!
yes, and Chet will never be the shooter Jabari is. But the point is that as a PF/C you don't need guard level handles to make or break you. Just like Chet not having a jump shot like Jabari will not severely limit his ability to be a star. I think because Jabari's shooting, his handles will need to be adequate for him to be effective.
at jabari's worst he's a major floor spacer and all-defensive team potential. yes he may never be a superstar but paolo was selected #1. Ivey, while I had highly rated, would not contribute to wins and we would have certaintly been tanking another year had we drafted him instead. I think Stone is keeping Eric Gordon around for the start of the season on purpose. Our team could have scary offensive effiency next year when you have Gordon + Jabari on the wings (both who will be top 20 in 3Pt% shooting next year). KPJ and Green are about to have miles of space to work downhill and Sengun will have his way at the eblow feeding and creating. I'm excited.
Every shooter has off nights. He found ways to contribute with great one on one defense (4 stls, 3 blks). He was also setting picks something both he and Sengun do very well. People need to relax, this kid is going to be good this year and great in year 2 or 3. What did the Rockets say they were going to do this off-season? Defense, defense, defense. Why, because they know they have incredible firepower already on offense. KPJ and Green will be your 20 point scores (sometimes 30 and 40 pt scorers). Both Jabari and Tari have the ability to spread the floor. Transition offense should be amongst the best in the NBA as long as your rebounders make the outlet pass decision quickly, something Wood refused to do. All these crazy takes after 2 summer league games.
