Keyonte George’s Star Ascension

[jazznik]

Overall, though, Key is still a one way player. He can occasionally motivate himself into playing good defense for a possession or two, but more often than not, his matador tendencies take over and he simply gives up on plays. Becoming an average defender is definitely his most important goal now.

I disagree. This season I often see him Keyonte doing something positive on defense and I did not see it last year. He also stopped complaining and pouting after the failed offensive posession: instead he busts his tail to get back on defense.

Key's improvement on the defensive side this year was no less drastic then his offensive growth: he was already pretty good on offense last season but on defense he started from a much lower base.

 

[fishonjazz]

I disagree. This season I often see him Keyonte doing something positive on defense and I did not see it last year. He also stopped complaining and pouting after the failed offensive posession: instead he busts his tail to get back on defense.

Key's improvement on the defensive side this year was no less drastic then his offensive growth: he was already pretty good on offense last season but on defense he started from a much lower base.

Ya I still see a lot of criticism of his defense but when I watch the games he seems fine defensively. I mean offense in todays nba is better than defense for the most part, especially when it comes to perimeter players so I think most perimeter defenders are going to get scored on/beat pretty frequently but he doesn't stand out as worse than most to me. The pace is so fast and there are so many more possessions that its harder to play lock down perimeter defense all game against amazing scorers.

 

[jazznik]

What stands out to me the most about George this season is that he dramatically improved his ability to read the court and make right decisions. No more aimless stationary dribbling in the midcourt trying to read the defense, no more hesitation on his offensive drives, much improved movements on defense... His processing speed is very fast now and that is why he was so much better of playing the PG.

The basketball IQ, the ability to read the court is one of the most important qualities separating stars from equally athletically gifted role players, so it bodes really well for the George's future.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Jazz still need to score in this upcoming draft, but Keyonte is a nice piece. He's shown the most self-creation of anyone on our roster this year.

 

[rippimpc]

Zach Lowe has always kind of liked yonte.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

The pace is so fast and there are so many more possessions that its harder to play lock down perimeter defense all game against amazing scorers.

Yeah, but nobody expects lockdown defense from him anyway. Just consistent effort on that side of the ball.

 

[jazznik]

Here are the third year stats:

Donovan Mitchell: 24.0 PPG, 4.3 APG, 4.4 RPG, 1.0 SPG, on the 45% - 37% - 86% shooting.
Keyonte (so far): 22.9 PPG, 6.8 APG, 4.0 RPG, 0.9 SPG, on the 44% - 34% - 91% shooting.

And Mitchell's stats declined after the hot start, while Keyonte keeps improving his PPG, RPG and shooting percentages every month.

They're the same picture. Their stats would be very, very similar after the end of the season.

 

[Tanktastic]

Ya I still see a lot of criticism of his defense but when I watch the games he seems fine defensively.

He might seem fine. As in, as noted above, he doesn't just stop running and start pouting. Or give as many matador plays as described.

But there are a ton of plays which might not stand out. Like instead of guarding your man from the arc, just letting them get to the paint, standing near them, but not affecting their shot in any way. That doesn't scream "he's not playing D!!!", but is just as meaningful.

This type of play last night was obvs the result of his 5 fouls, but it happens every game, from the start, to some degree.

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[KqWIN]

If he continues on this ascension he will absolutely be an all-star in the near future.

Maybe. If his defense doesn’t improve, I think it will hard for him to ever be an all star. I think it’s easy to get up in the counting stats (especially when stats have inflated so much), but I view all players through the same lens and for Key that means pumping the brakes a bit. He’s improved massively, there’s still a long way to go to be considered a star or all star.

 

[jazznik]

He might seem fine. As in, as noted above, he doesn't just stop running and start pouting. Or give as many matador plays as described.

But there are a ton of plays which might not stand out. Like instead of guarding your man from the arc, just letting them get to the paint, standing near them, but not affecting their shot in any way. That doesn't scream "he's not playing D!!!", but is just as meaningful.

This type of play last night was obvs the result of his 5 fouls, but it happens every game, from the start, to some degree.

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"This type of play last night was obvs the result of his 5 fouls". Now find and post the clips of how every other offensive star defends with 5 fouls in the last minutes of a close game.

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

You can see he loves the game. He's having fun out there, pushing his limits, making plays, getting excited... That's underrated these days. Ja Morant was trying to take over the game emotionally, and Keyonte took it from him.


View: https://x.com/NBARewinds/status/1999692190315086322

 

[rippimpc]

After wemby, amen, Brandon miller, ausar… who would you take over keyonte? Podz? Lively?