I think a lot of people are mad because Exum came into the league doing some things right and he hasn't really improved a lot on those things. I feel like he's less scared and drives to the hoop more (which was his main knock) but his three isn't any better (his percentage is lower from his RC year) and he isn't using his athleticism to his advantage.
I think he'll be fine on defense once he gets stronger - he's shown he can defend despite being a bean pole.
His shooting percentage is up from his rookie year - I was actually surprised he's shooting 40% from the field.
I would love to see Exum playing in practice. Something tells me he would show more flashes of brilliance when he's playing and not stressing over messing up.
Like most non-NBA ready players, I think minutes, learning, and growing into his body are the key. He needs up put the ball on the floor and look for his teammates and if he sees an opening he needs to take the ball to the hoop.
He is shooting 50% from 2 point land, he is shooting 54% from 0-3. Offensively he has some ups and down. When he was getting minutes he had a few 10 point first quarters in a row and seemed to be scoring easily when he had free reign. He has had some solid games.
For comparison Exum is shooting a better 2 pt% than Hayward, Hood, Lyles, Johnson, Burk(too small of sample size though) and Favors. Hill, Inlges and Mack are better but only slightly.
From 0-3 feet (which are 43% of Exums shots up from 12% rookie year) he is shooting 54%. Which isnt the best number but it isnt that bad and also shows he is driving a lot more and finishing most of his shots when he drives, which is his biggest knock. I think that number will climb as he gets all the way healed up (quicker more explosive) and he starts developing strength like Hayward has.
The biggest thing he is struggling with is his jump shot including his 3 point shot. If he was hitting his 3s at the same rate as Mack (same percentage as Exums Rookie year) or even slightly better than he was his rookie year, people would be less bothered by his play and it would help his game out and his teammates game. His shot will come around, he is working on it. Changing his shot has made it look better but more mechanical and he is still struggling to find consistency. I think that is expected especially with the inconsistent minutes and games played. His defense and quickness will come back with time, it will be surpass what it was his rookie year next season.
I also just watched about 20-30 of his missed 3 point shots and most of them were short and a few long. Very rarely did he miss to the side.
The only thing Exum is really struggling at that is disappointing is his 3 point shot. If or more likely when that comes around he will be fine.
Exum needs consistent minutes. It seems he is on a minute restriction and him having to start for awhile threw that off. They need to be really consistent with his minutes though and push to whatever that minute restriction is. If that is as back up to Hill I think that will help him the most and long term help the team the most. I also doubt it hurts us at all in the short term since Macks play is meh as well. If coach does not want him playing for whatever reason than get him in the D-league to get those minutes.
Exum will be a solid starter or more in this league if he stays healthy. Hopefully it is for this team. If we resign Hill for a couple more years he will be good to go by then.
