Love the stuff on Ty - I think he's better suited to playing SG right now without the pressure of trying to run an offense. Totally agree that he's not being utilised to take advantage of his strengths; perhaps that's by design to force him to work on his weaknesses?
Agree on all the stuff regarding DA, but I don't like him taking that corner 3 as it leaves PHX more exposed when he misses (lack of offensive rebounders and defenders behind the ball to slow down the fast break). Much rather him taking trailing 3s and in Pick & Pop scenarios from the top.
We're both Mikal fanboys, but I hadn't thought about the importance of Mikal holding his direct opponent accountable at the other end and tiring out offensive stars by making them defend/run more. This is a great point and will not doubt lead to more Ws for PHX even if Mikal isn't making his shots/finishing at the rim.
I've also been happy with what Payne has shown so far. He has some obvious weaknesses (finishing at the rim, shooting), but at least he can run an offense and execute the PnR (something none of the other guards off the bench can do). I was also impressed with his effort and positioning on defense, even if he did have some lapses.
Man Mikal really wanted to throw your numbers off in that TOR game didn’t he? But I agree with Jerome in regards to there being a better player than we are seeing. His form is solid and I do think his % will come up as he becomes more comfortable at the pro level, he is still just a rookie after all. I think he would have a lot to gain if he was used in a JJ Redick role for the bench offense. Obviously he isn’t the same level of a threat as JJ but he can shoot, space the floor, and help keep the ball in motion if his shot isn’t available. If nothing else be a decoy for other players to work themselves open. His conditioning and decision making should be major focuses this off-season. Thanks again for another good read!
I hope Jerome works out, but... I don't think he even has the athleticism to consistently separate even with screens. Maybe our friend at Fenerbahce can put him to good use in a couple years.
It’s the biggest concern for sure. But there’s been unathletic players in the nba before. My point wasn’t so much that he WILL work out. More that I’d rather be sure he didn’t work out cause of those concerns, not because he wasn’t given a real chance to survive
First off great stuff my friend! I must say that I find your writing style very enjoyable, and a different slice that you don't get to see of David on Twitter. Its hard to take a whole lot from scrimmages considering all the factors that are not regular season like, but since you provided the content!!!....I see where you are coming from with DA and for the most part I agree. The reason that 12ft shot is so important for Ayton to develop is because of playoff basketball, to have that in the tool box is Huge, It's what made Hakeem so unstoppable, and DA has that potential.
If I'm being honest I was a bit worried pre all-star break if Mikal would ever be a double digit shot attempts per game type player, I was glad to see Bridges continue from what he built in the last 10 games of the season offensively into the scrimmage games. Now I can't wait to see it in regular season games!
Tigerchrome isn't done when it comes to his chances to make it but it certainly ain't looking Shiny, he looked lost... badly and often, to be fair to him he really was thrown to the wolves by Monty these last 3 games, really put Tigerome in situations he did not need to be in and I'm really not sure what to make of that yet,...if you have any ideas I'm all ears?
Love the Monty Dice role!...as far as the play goes...meh, I guess you can at least get a half decent 3 look. there is some more meat on that bone with coaches signaling these last 3 games if you're looking, but maybe best to save those for a later date....that's what I'm doing with Rubio signs
have you done any more draft study lately David? just curious, I don't see you post much about it.
Keep up the good work gunsmoke! thanks for the pew pews!
thanks for reading and the kinds words. gonna assume this is the twitter user of a similar name....
Re: DA - I disagree. Until Ayton can show he can hit that shot at a high clip and/or has moves to take advantage of someone closing out on him at the elbow, it's just not a smart shot.
Re: Tigerome - I think he was asked to fill in for Ricky's role, as we quite often see coaches do when a starter is missing. You put someone down the depth chart in, so you can try keep the bench structure the same. Overall, I think I just disagree with the Suns right now on how to use him.
Re: Dice Shake - I don't think we got to see the actual play. The zone killed it off. Something to watch for later.
Will get to the draft at some point and maybe do a few newsletter in the offseason.
I hear you on DA, it's a logical approach but I think you also gotta give him the chance to fail some.
Tigerome - I'm with you on Tig being used wrong, I just don't understand why Monty didn't put Payne in that role first, considering his experience and where they are but maybe Monty was letting him fail a bit
well than I guess that role was snake eyes! lol
I always like to chew a bit on prospects but I know some people like to binge it, so I get it
I really think that Ty Jerome is going to figure it out. He showed major flashes in the first preseason until he sprained his ankle. You're point about him needing better playmakers around him makes perfect sense. Surrounding him with "trying to make an NBA roster" Payne, 0 playmaking Okobo and Carter, and Frank isn't the best way to get a guy comfortable in his role.
Yeah. I'm not as confident as I was with a guy like Mikal but I do think there's a better player than the one we've seen. And a lot comes down to how he's being used.
Would love to be in the zoom call during the game - great analysis as always!
I had the same thought of doing a zoom call during a game please make it happen yo!
Great stuff again! That Suns/Aus crossover was too funny.
Im up in Sydney, would be very keen to join in on a game chat for the Heat game next Sunday
Love the stuff on Ty - I think he's better suited to playing SG right now without the pressure of trying to run an offense. Totally agree that he's not being utilised to take advantage of his strengths; perhaps that's by design to force him to work on his weaknesses?
Agree on all the stuff regarding DA, but I don't like him taking that corner 3 as it leaves PHX more exposed when he misses (lack of offensive rebounders and defenders behind the ball to slow down the fast break). Much rather him taking trailing 3s and in Pick & Pop scenarios from the top.
We're both Mikal fanboys, but I hadn't thought about the importance of Mikal holding his direct opponent accountable at the other end and tiring out offensive stars by making them defend/run more. This is a great point and will not doubt lead to more Ws for PHX even if Mikal isn't making his shots/finishing at the rim.
I've also been happy with what Payne has shown so far. He has some obvious weaknesses (finishing at the rim, shooting), but at least he can run an offense and execute the PnR (something none of the other guards off the bench can do). I was also impressed with his effort and positioning on defense, even if he did have some lapses.
Man Mikal really wanted to throw your numbers off in that TOR game didn’t he? But I agree with Jerome in regards to there being a better player than we are seeing. His form is solid and I do think his % will come up as he becomes more comfortable at the pro level, he is still just a rookie after all. I think he would have a lot to gain if he was used in a JJ Redick role for the bench offense. Obviously he isn’t the same level of a threat as JJ but he can shoot, space the floor, and help keep the ball in motion if his shot isn’t available. If nothing else be a decoy for other players to work themselves open. His conditioning and decision making should be major focuses this off-season. Thanks again for another good read!
Thanks for reading M!
I hope Jerome works out, but... I don't think he even has the athleticism to consistently separate even with screens. Maybe our friend at Fenerbahce can put him to good use in a couple years.
It’s the biggest concern for sure. But there’s been unathletic players in the nba before. My point wasn’t so much that he WILL work out. More that I’d rather be sure he didn’t work out cause of those concerns, not because he wasn’t given a real chance to survive
First off great stuff my friend! I must say that I find your writing style very enjoyable, and a different slice that you don't get to see of David on Twitter. Its hard to take a whole lot from scrimmages considering all the factors that are not regular season like, but since you provided the content!!!....I see where you are coming from with DA and for the most part I agree. The reason that 12ft shot is so important for Ayton to develop is because of playoff basketball, to have that in the tool box is Huge, It's what made Hakeem so unstoppable, and DA has that potential.
If I'm being honest I was a bit worried pre all-star break if Mikal would ever be a double digit shot attempts per game type player, I was glad to see Bridges continue from what he built in the last 10 games of the season offensively into the scrimmage games. Now I can't wait to see it in regular season games!
Tigerchrome isn't done when it comes to his chances to make it but it certainly ain't looking Shiny, he looked lost... badly and often, to be fair to him he really was thrown to the wolves by Monty these last 3 games, really put Tigerome in situations he did not need to be in and I'm really not sure what to make of that yet,...if you have any ideas I'm all ears?
Love the Monty Dice role!...as far as the play goes...meh, I guess you can at least get a half decent 3 look. there is some more meat on that bone with coaches signaling these last 3 games if you're looking, but maybe best to save those for a later date....that's what I'm doing with Rubio signs
have you done any more draft study lately David? just curious, I don't see you post much about it.
Keep up the good work gunsmoke! thanks for the pew pews!
thanks for reading and the kinds words. gonna assume this is the twitter user of a similar name....
Re: DA - I disagree. Until Ayton can show he can hit that shot at a high clip and/or has moves to take advantage of someone closing out on him at the elbow, it's just not a smart shot.
Re: Tigerome - I think he was asked to fill in for Ricky's role, as we quite often see coaches do when a starter is missing. You put someone down the depth chart in, so you can try keep the bench structure the same. Overall, I think I just disagree with the Suns right now on how to use him.
Re: Dice Shake - I don't think we got to see the actual play. The zone killed it off. Something to watch for later.
Will get to the draft at some point and maybe do a few newsletter in the offseason.
I hear you on DA, it's a logical approach but I think you also gotta give him the chance to fail some.
Tigerome - I'm with you on Tig being used wrong, I just don't understand why Monty didn't put Payne in that role first, considering his experience and where they are but maybe Monty was letting him fail a bit
well than I guess that role was snake eyes! lol
I always like to chew a bit on prospects but I know some people like to binge it, so I get it
I really think that Ty Jerome is going to figure it out. He showed major flashes in the first preseason until he sprained his ankle. You're point about him needing better playmakers around him makes perfect sense. Surrounding him with "trying to make an NBA roster" Payne, 0 playmaking Okobo and Carter, and Frank isn't the best way to get a guy comfortable in his role.
Yeah. I'm not as confident as I was with a guy like Mikal but I do think there's a better player than the one we've seen. And a lot comes down to how he's being used.