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Exum's handle

stitches

stitches

Well-Known Member
2023 Prediction Contest Winner
I don't know if I am stretching this a bit(tell me if you think so), but I just watched a video of Matt Dellavedova interview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVAKJ_vsoIM

and the first thing that made an impression on me was that he said that they did very different ballhandling drills in the Australian institute of sports, where Dante comes from. And he said that the American ones helped him improve his handle and finishes.

He also talks about the importance of spending a couple of years in college to work on his game before entering the NBA.

I wonder if we can expect substantial improvements in Dante's ballhandling and especially his left hand? It is supposedly one of the things that could be worked on and could improve a lot, but have you seen a player enter the NBA with average handle and turn it into a good/great handle?

If Exum was subjected to the same drills(I suspect he was) in Australia, I expect to see some improvement by next year. I wonder if his handle would be an emphasis for our coaches?

I am sorry if this was too random/over the place. Just thought it was worth pointing out...
 
stitches said:
I don't know if I am stretching this a bit(tell me if you think so), but I just watched a video of Matt Dellavedova interview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVAKJ_vsoIM

and the first thing that made an impression on me was that he said that they did very different ballhandling drills in the Australian institute of sports, where Dante comes from. And he said that the American ones helped him improve his handle and finishes.

He also talks about the importance of spending a couple of years in college to work on his game before entering the NBA.

I wonder if we can expect substantial improvements in Dante's ballhandling and especially his left hand? It is supposedly one of the things that could be worked on and could improve a lot, but have you seen a player enter the NBA with average handle and turn it into a good/great handle?

If Exum was subjected to the same drills(I suspect he was) in Australia, I expect to see some improvement by next year. I wonder if his handle would be an emphasis for our coaches?

I am sorry if this was too random/over the place. Just thought it was worth pointing out...
Click to expand...


I think the difference is that he spent four years at St. Mary's in Cali and I think he is that school's all time leading scorer and assister. Patty Mills went to that college. I think the Jazz staff can help him with his ball handing.
 
stitches said:
have you seen a player enter the NBA with average handle and turn it into a good/great handle?
Click to expand...
I think Blake Griffin falls into this category. I could be wrong, but I think he was average when he got into the league. Now his handle is ridiculous for a big man, and it is even better than the majority of point guards.
 
I like a lot of things he does while dribbling, what I don't like yet is the habit to pick up the ball as he searches for passing options when he sees a difficult situation. I'd like it better if he kept the dribble alive and there's plenty of possibilities to do that.
 
I think it all comes down to how much he wants it and works to improve.

From the reports he tested off the charts in drive and competitiveness right? Gives me hope.
 
If you sit down low in a game, you can see he has a funky handle and he looks like he turns the ball over when he dribbles. I was able to sit down low in the first pre season game and I was shocked how he dribbled. I think having a tight handle is something a player can improve on. He has the right coaching and he has the work ethic. Let's hope he doesn't have 8 turn overs every time he plays.
 
Also need to remember Exum's dad is an American NBA player.
His dad has been coaching him his entire life.
His dad would not let him pick up bad habits and fundamentals.
 
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Exum doesn't have a bad handle fundamental. He is just not as close to the ground as say CP3 and he needs more exercise to become natural about it. His main fault in game action is not feeling the ball well enough when crossing over changing hands and his fastness affects his handling move badly so his receiving hand cannot clutch the ball centeredly enough.
 
Stoked said:
I think it all comes down to how much he wants it and works to improve.

From the reports he tested off the charts in drive and competitiveness right? Gives me hope.
Click to expand...

Tester: do you want to win?

Dante: yes!

Testers to assistant: *whispers* dude, this guy is off the charts
 
fallenchicken said:
lol. I love Dante but I don't understand that whole thing. Weren't those "tests" done by Red Bull, his sponsor?
Click to expand...

Every team does individual psychological testing on the prospects they get their hands on. Most of those are done either at the combine or at the tryouts they do for teams. According to Chad Ford, all teams that did testing on Exum, independently came with the same results - off the charts in every category - competitiveness, determination, etc.
 
Stoked said:
I think it all comes down to how much he wants it and works to improve.

From the reports he tested off the charts in drive and competitiveness right? Gives me hope.
Click to expand...

Stoked is correct.

Performance level is Talent+Work. At the NBA level it is "exceptional talent + Work" At the Jordan/Malone/Stocton Level it is "exceptional talent + exceptional work."
This is an area where I respect Kobe. He's worked hard. Dimension 1: Does Dante have the talent? the exceptional talent? I think some of the things he does physically are evidence he is exceptional. Dimension 2: Does he have the work ethic to become exceptional? I'm glad to hear that he tested off-the-charts. therefore i'm banking on all-star or better from him.
 
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