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Dante Exum vs. Zach Lavine

The difference between both is simple

LaVine
'+'
-verticality
-shooter

'-'
-character
-decisionmaking


Exum:

'+'
-speed
-finishing
-decisionmaking
-character

'-'
-strength
-shooting
 
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Good post BTP.. but I just see them completely differently from one another.

Also, I bet a few here will disagree/debate your character assessments.
 
I know everyone is talking about Lavine, but one thing I like about Exum that reminds me of another rookie - Marcus Smart - is that both players are opportunists. They make smart plays that create easy points and they know how to take advantage of the other team's weakness.

Couple this with Exum's quick first step and court vision and we have an exciting, effective player.

A lot of people compare Smart to Wade and I can see some Wade in Exum - both Exum and Smart have a knack at driving to the basket and scoring. They all rebound well also (granted, Exum is taller). And as Exum gains strength he's only going to get stronger and finish better.

Exum is a hybrid. That's why he's compared to guys like Penny Hardaway.

Once Exum is in the rotation we will see games where both he and Hayward are 16-5-5 players, stat-wise.
 
The difference between both is simple

LaVine
'+'
-verticality
-shooter

'-'
-character
-decisionmaking


Exum:

'+'
-speed
-finishing
-decisionmaking
-character

'-'
-strength
-shooting

I'd call strength a draw, Exum has 15 lbs on him and is the same height. I would give Lavine a + for conditioning though, it was a clear problem for Exum in SL.
 
Lavine averaged 2.63 assists per 36 last year.

That's it.

C'mon bro.

Russell Westbrook averaged 2.8 Assists per 36 his Freshman Year at UCLA. Do you have a better point?


I think many are missing my point/message. I'm glad we took Exum. I'm basing that off of what scouts and people "in the know" seem to think. They've seen these guys in scrimmages, workouts, etc. As a fan, I can't view that stuff. Neither can you. If anyone can make a conclusion off of the limited video we've seen that Exum is a better passer and playmaker than LaVine, I would hear why.

nba.com has him listed as a PG.
espn has his listed as a PG.
Dwight Walton of bballinsider (and many others) have compared him to Russell Westbrook
Flip Saunders, who has seem him more than most have, has stated he will play some PG.

Once again, I'm happy we drafted Exum. But it's not because of what I have seen, rather what "experts" are suggesting.
 
The difference between both is simple

LaVine
'+'
-verticality
-shooter

'-'
-character
-decisionmaking


Exum:

'+'
-speed
-finishing
-decisionmaking
-character

'-'
-strength
-shooting

That's a good breakdown, especially the "character" part. Did everyone see this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2wOnCXHV8M
 
lol. that might be the funniest thing I've ever read on JF. Seriously. Wow.

Let's go check the youtube video of Alec Burks passing highlights.......oh wait, that doesn't exist. Unless, to you, passing highlights consist of putting your head down and going to the rim.

This is coming from a HUGE Burks fan, but he's really not much of a passer right now.
 
It's hard to justify Exum over LaVine based off this video
Really? How many deep pull-up 2-point jumpers did he take with 12+ seconds left on the shot clock? 2.8 assists to 3.3 turnovers (worse than Exum...) plus the poor decision-making: Not sure why this highlight reel should impress me at all.
 
I'd call strength a draw, Exum has 15 lbs on him and is the same height. I would give Lavine a + for conditioning though, it was a clear problem for Exum in SL.

The way I look at it, LaVine will be an open court dunker, he hasn't really been able to get dunks in the half court at UCLA, why would he be able to get the rim protector out of position so he can dunk above him?
He also won't star player whistles until he's proven he's a star in a different way.

Exum doesn't play above the rim. he needs strength to finish in creative ways through contact. Like bumping into a big's chest in the no charge semi-circle area. If the bump leads to the big lowering his arms, he getts the call because no verticality. If it doesn't he needs strength to absorb the contact, stay balanced and finish anyways.

Good post BTP.. but I just see them completely differently from one another.

Also, I bet a few here will disagree/debate your character assessments.

Well, if you look at him, some people may say: I love his confidence, super cocky.

I see someone who shows very little self awareness and other cocky guys like Kobe, they have always acted in front of the camera. You knew they're acting.

Unless he's fooling everybody with a genius Doofy from Scary Movie performance ;) But I would be scared of the image he's creating that way :P
 
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