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[The Ringer] Finding the Next Kent Bazemore (KJ related)

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by craguin, Sep 2, 2016.

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  1. craguin

    craguin Member

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    [The Ringer - Kevin O'Connor - 9/2/2016] Finding the Next Kent Bazemore
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    K.J. McDaniels, Rockets

    McDaniels resembles a young Gerald Wallace: an elite athlete who throws down thunderous dunks, and grinds on defense. But, like Wallace, McDaniels doesn’t shoot well. That wasn’t much of an issue in his era, but if Wallace were in today’s league, he might be plastered to the bench like McDaniels is. But it’s too soon to give up on McDaniels after just two years in the league. He’s 23 years old, and just needs to learn how to shoot; the rest of his game already resembles an impact player.

    Any progress he’s made as a shooter has been subtle. Including shots taken in the D-League and summer league, he’s shot 33.6 percent from 3 over his last 140 attempts, but it’s far too small of a sample to read into — and he still needs to get to at least 36 percent to be a real threat. On film, it’s clear he’s quickened his mechanics with the Rockets, but he’s still a flat-footed shooter that needs space for a clean release.

    But there are few athletes who can cause a crowd to holds its breath in anticipation of something incredible happening. McDaniels is one of them.

    To put McDaniels’s career into perspective: He has more dunks (52) than he does 3-pointers (50). He also has more blocks (76).

    McDaniels makes flashy plays on defense, but he also plays hard and fights through screens. With his long arms and lateral quickness, he’s a versatile man-to-man defender capable of locking down three positions. He does suffer mental lapses resulting in missed rotations, but that could be symptomatic of the teams he’s played on. If he played consistent minutes on a squad with a defensive identity, then his performance could elevate.

    The Rockets’ depth might force McDaniels to play the majority of another season in the D-League, but he needs the opportunity to work through mistakes and focus on his development. Wallace spent three seasons stashed on the Kings’ bench before the expansion Charlotte Bobcats let him find his footing. That’s what can happen for McDaniels in the D-League, and maybe someday in the NBA.
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Other K.J. McDaniels YouTube videos from August 2016:
    <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bvGGsWqDlfc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

    <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aBLCnK8zr1s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

    <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5x6EY_5Nc-0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
     
    #1 craguin, Sep 2, 2016
  2. pippendagimp

    pippendagimp Member

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    kj's looked terrible in summer league, and that was against scrubs......his shooting touch and bball IQ are bordering on hopeless
     
    #2 pippendagimp, Sep 2, 2016
  3. Texanasiafan

    Texanasiafan Member

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    Finding the Next Kent Bazemore?

    You mean to find the next scrub that sitting at the end of the bench for years and then got a decent season of performance with inflated stats, and then have teams offering idiotic and stupid contracts only to regret down the road and then eventually will want to dump him asap?
     
    #3 Texanasiafan, Sep 2, 2016
  4. finsraider

    finsraider Member

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    I'm not going to read much into summer league. He had terrible games and one very good game. For the most part, he wasn't playing in the role he would be in with the Rockets regular rotation. He actually looked good in garbage time at the end of last season.

    I'll be watching KJ and Dekker closely this year. While they are different players, I think they may be competing for the same minutes.
     
    #4 finsraider, Sep 2, 2016
    1 person likes this.
  5. xiki

    xiki Contributing Member

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    I agree w/#1. Re: #2: Yes, that's why I believe Brew's (now) favorable contract should be taken by a grateful GM. Of course, there may be a plentitude of b/u 2 mins w/EG aboard. (ouch)
     
    #5 xiki, Sep 2, 2016
  6. BigggReddd

    BigggReddd Member

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    Forget KJ. Some of you people dont seem familiar with a man who goes by the name of Montrezl Harrell.

    For those of you, like JB Bickerstaff, that haven't heard of his existence....

    Hes a beast.

    And he should get significant playing time.

    Who scores 15 points in his NBA debut against the defending champions in the FIRST HALF and doesnt even get a decent shot for the rest of the year?

    God only knows how good this kid can be if he gets a good shot.

    Dont give me the bullcrap that he cant rebound. You know what he does do that nobody wlse on the entire
     
    #6 BigggReddd, Sep 2, 2016
  7. BigggReddd

    BigggReddd Member

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    Pressed send on accident. Goofed up.

    ...... roster does?

    He boxes out.

    He isnt undersized. You dont rebound a ball with your head.

    The dude can shoot. He can handle. He has post moves. What doesnt he have that is necessary to thrive in the league??
     
    #7 BigggReddd, Sep 2, 2016
  8. TEXNIFICENT

    TEXNIFICENT Member

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    They should've put JB on the end of the bench.
     
    #8 TEXNIFICENT, Sep 2, 2016
  9. RudyTBag

    RudyTBag Contributing Member
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    1. It's summer league, so he was trying to expand and test an assortment of skills.
    2. He did a great job getting to the free throw line.
    3. Our entire team looked like Doo Doo. Literally every single player was awful.
    4. His defense is already elite. He is already the second best defender on our roster, and maybe the best.
    5. His shooting form is promising.
     
    #9 RudyTBag, Sep 2, 2016
  10. craguin

    craguin Member

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    Instagram photo by Patrick Beverley • Aug 31, 2016 at 7:42pm UTC:
    <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BJyQLvgj_Lq/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">The REAL GANG!!!! </a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-08-31T19:42:14+00:00">Aug 31, 2016 at 12:42pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
    <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>

    Instagram photo by @nextlevelautomotive • Aug 31, 2016 at 4:56pm UTC:
    <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:62.4537037037% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BJx9NAQADz0/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Much love to @trezz24 coming by and purchasing the Can Am #houston #rocket #ball #is #life #bike _#greatness #bikelife #push #grind #hope #instagram #instagramhub #instapic #pictures #pic #hot #losangeles #california #cali #show #up #mind #motivation #selfie #white</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by @nextlevelautomotive on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-08-31T16:56:23+00:00">Aug 31, 2016 at 9:56am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
    <script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
     
    #10 craguin, Sep 2, 2016
  11. J Sizzle

    J Sizzle Member

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    KJ isn't gonna play soooooo.....
     
    #11 J Sizzle, Sep 2, 2016
  12. jogo

    jogo Member

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    Kj is already a really good defender. Put him on the court and don't ask him to score much. If he can make 3's around 35% then he's fine. The trouble is that he might never make it to 35%. Is he playable with 33% 3ptrs? Thornton shot 33% last year and people thought that was fine. Let KJ get more playing time in the league instead of the D-league.
     
    #12 jogo, Sep 2, 2016
  13. Haymitch

    Haymitch Custom Title
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    KJ has never impressed me. I've already moved on. At least his contract is cheap.
     
    #13 Haymitch, Sep 2, 2016
  14. StrawberryJamm

    StrawberryJamm Member

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    There are minutes to be had as a 5th wing behind Harden, Bevearly, Gordon, and Ariza and while 3 point shooting is the clear weakness in his game, the guys he has to beat out Brewer and Prigioni are even worse. He can guard 1-3 add speed and play above the rim, seems to understand hes a 5that option, play the man.
     
    #14 StrawberryJamm, Sep 2, 2016
  15. MorningZippo

    MorningZippo Member

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    Seriously, the question is, does he shoot better than who we want him to replace from last year?

    Sadly, the answer is definitely yes.
     
    #15 MorningZippo, Sep 2, 2016
  16. BimaThug

    BimaThug Resident Capologist
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    I'm not so sure about that. I think most of Corey Brewer's minutes will go to Eric Gordon, although his, Harden's and Ariza's roles will be divided up a little differently.
     
    #16 BimaThug, Sep 2, 2016
  17. RudyTBag

    RudyTBag Contributing Member
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    Yup. He has talent, but he really can't play significant minutes until he gets up to 37-38 percent from 3.
     
    #17 RudyTBag, Sep 2, 2016
  18. dmoneybangbang

    dmoneybangbang Member

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    Shooting is very important in today's NBA but so is efficiency. Use KJ as a slasher on the offensive end and put him in constant movement. KJ needs to realize it will be his defensive that keeps him on the court.

    We need one or two of our youngins to step up next season.
     
    #18 dmoneybangbang, Sep 2, 2016
  19. TheFreak

    TheFreak Contributing Member

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    I'll be watching the action on the court, but I'll be interested to hear your report on which of the two demonstrates the superior posture on the bench and whether or not they exhibit sound clapping fundamentals.
     
    #19 TheFreak, Sep 2, 2016
  20. kjayp

    kjayp Contributing Member

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    makes me wonder how many quality players we miss on just based on this premise... With our gameplan soooo predicated on the 3ball and obviously going to an even greater offensive focus with MDA... how many potentially great roleplayers have/will we never even realize - because they're not shooters....

    The Houston Rockets - Do you have defensive skills? Can you rebound and box out? .... Don't matter! if u can't shoot the 3 - then yer dead to us! ...unless yer a center, then don't worry about shooting the 3 - cause you're never gonna get the ball to shoot anyway...

    not saying KJ is all that or anything... just speaking to general philosophy...

    LOL!
     
    #20 kjayp, Sep 2, 2016
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