They were down 6 yesterday...
Dante Exum Averages .2 Steals Per Game
- Thread starter Saint Cy of JFC
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Sandman822
Well-Known Member
In Dante's defense, I don't buy into his RDPM as much because of the few minutes he gets to play with Gobert vs Rubio who primarily plays with him. All the players outside of Thabo who are positive play with him the most, and Thabo has a very small sample size so far (although I wouldn't be surprised if it held since he is a good all round defender)
I agree with the general sentiment that he isn't an impactful defender outside of 1 v 1 positional defense and contesting shots though. His offball defense is non-existent outside of staying home on his man, if he does try to make a play he usually fouls. He's terrible at reading passing lanes when he should be a lot better with his length and speed. He rarely causes any turnovers defensively as well, and he's often late to react to anything that isn't fighting through a screen on a PnR (e.g. switches)
Sandman822
Well-Known Member
https://stats.nba.com/player/203957/defense-dash/
Here's why I don't think his DRPM is indicitive of Exum's defense. Players on average are shooting 3.3% worse with Exum defending them than league average, and they shoot 13% worse (!) on 3pt attempts when guarded by Exum. They shoot 4.3% higher on Exum at the midrange area though, and I'm not sure how much of that is Exum just not being in the right spot to contest vs how much of that is schematic with the Jazz' defense allowing the midrange shot.
If he ever figures out how to read passing lanes better or being quicker on help defense then I think there's no argument that he would be an elite defender at his position. Lonzo Ball is actually pretty good at it, Exum should go watch some of his film since they're somewhat comparable players but Lonzo clearly has a much higher IQ of the game.
https://stats.nba.com/player/201937/defense-dash/
Rubio comparison for those who are interested. I find it hard to believe that Rubio is nearly a net neutral defensive player while Exum is a gaping negative for the team, which is why I think Rubio playing most his minutes with Gobert is skewing his RDPM.
Here's why I don't think his DRPM is indicitive of Exum's defense. Players on average are shooting 3.3% worse with Exum defending them than league average, and they shoot 13% worse (!) on 3pt attempts when guarded by Exum. They shoot 4.3% higher on Exum at the midrange area though, and I'm not sure how much of that is Exum just not being in the right spot to contest vs how much of that is schematic with the Jazz' defense allowing the midrange shot.
If he ever figures out how to read passing lanes better or being quicker on help defense then I think there's no argument that he would be an elite defender at his position. Lonzo Ball is actually pretty good at it, Exum should go watch some of his film since they're somewhat comparable players but Lonzo clearly has a much higher IQ of the game.
https://stats.nba.com/player/201937/defense-dash/
Rubio comparison for those who are interested. I find it hard to believe that Rubio is nearly a net neutral defensive player while Exum is a gaping negative for the team, which is why I think Rubio playing most his minutes with Gobert is skewing his RDPM.
I don't really think Exum's problems are because of his BBIQ, he just doesn't have the skills. He can't shoot, he can't pull-up so he there aren't much options for him on the court. Teams are more concerned about the pass than his threat to finish at the rim.
At this point, I expected Exum to be %34-35 3pt shooter with more shake and better ball-handling. At least, I expected him to try a few things. I am seriously disappointed in him.
At this point, I expected Exum to be %34-35 3pt shooter with more shake and better ball-handling. At least, I expected him to try a few things. I am seriously disappointed in him.
Hitman
Well-Known Member
We are basically the same roster except everyone - EVERYONE - outside of Joe and Rudy is playing consistently worse (although Burks is about the same and Favors is good when he's the C). And even Joe has had bad games. If a team universally regresses like this, it isn't the players. It's coaching. Whatever tweaks Quin made over summer, they aren't working. Our ball movement has been nowhere near as crisp as last season, it's hesitant, players seem to be thinking rather than playing on instinct (except Burks, which is why he looks the same). Yet the whole advantage of 'just run it back' was supposed to be the players would pick up where they left off last season, but they haven't, even when they run the same plays they look disjointed. Quin needs to act, not be patient - and if it's his tweaks that need to go, he can't be stubborn, either.
And another possibility is this dysfunction is just the result of the loss of Kokoskov.
Ingles is the only player I put no blame on. He's doing worse, but it's only because he's had to do more. He did this in November/December of last year too. He had a lot of bad games then cuz the team was sucking and he had to do too much.
Good point about Kokoskov.
We are getting open looks though. What more could we want? We are even missing layups. This is not on Quin's system. But maybe Quin isn't doing enough to inspire his guys. Although I think pro's should make their open shots at least as well as eighth-graders.
Et tu Brute
Well-Known Member
sahlensguy
Well-Known Member
It's not the coaching.
Last year was special and their strength was the team. They caught lightning in a bottle. They are doing worse this year compared to last because they weren't individually great to begin with, and a team can only lift you so high before talented individual competition takes you down.
We lack elite skill and athleticism to repeat while others get better.
Ehh, I don't buy the loss of any assistant being that detrimental. The Jazz sucked early last year too when Kokoskov was on the bench.