Off-Season Rumblings

[Handlogten's Heros]

Wonder what the Dan Hurley to LA news means for Lebron. Doesn't seem like the guy to cater to Lebron... He may only play another year or two but wonder if Lakers are preparing for his exit?

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Wonder what the Dan Hurley to LA news means for Lebron. Doesn't seem like the guy to cater to Lebron... He may only play another year or two but wonder if Lakers are preparing for his exit?

I think it's just the Lakers being the Lakers. Got to get yourself in the headlines by going after the premier college coach.

Im sure Hurly could work for *some* NBA team, but the Lakers?????? The team that just wants to get stars? I may have this wrong, but isnt Hurley like a tough as nails/no BS/throwback college guy? Maybe if his star is prime Jimmy Butler he works. Would also be kind of wild to leave UConn when you could 3peat. But living in LA is living in LA and I'm sure the money would be great.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I think it's just the Lakers being the Lakers. Got to get yourself in the headlines by going after the premier college coach.

Im sure Hurly could work for *some* NBA team, but the Lakers?????? The team that just wants to get stars? I may have this wrong, but isnt Hurley like a tough as nails/no BS/throwback college guy? Maybe if his star is prime Jimmy Butler he works. Would also be kind of wild to leave UConn when you could 3peat. But living in LA is living in LA and I'm sure the money would be great.

Woj was talking about how they want to build a program and don't think you can just go get a star all the time and be ready to play. Its kind of wild... they don't have a pick next year or in 2027. I wonder if they are going to cheap out on the final lebron deal... its interesting especially since you know Lebron wanted JJ

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Woj was talking about how they want to build a program and don't think you can just go get a star all the time and be ready to play. Its kind of wild... they don't have a pick next year or in 2027. I wonder if they are going to cheap out on the final lebron deal... its interesting especially since you know Lebron wanted JJ

Damn Lakers talking like some broke boys.

This has to be the Knicks influence.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

Damn Lakers talking like some broke boys.

This has to be the Knicks influence.

They've always acted like a poverty franchise. Dlo opts in and they keep Lebron and the salary gonna be pretty nasty for them. I can't believe they extended Vando last year... so much medium money tied up in mid to bad or unhealthy players.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0f5ujQViXM&ab_channel=HoopsNerd


Starting around 30:20 they talk about Walker Kessler and it was some insightful stuff from Andy I havent heard before. Says there's a disconnect between what Utah wants him to work on (simple big man stuff) and what his camp is telling him to work on (becoming Brook Lopez).

Just reinforces how special Gobert was for sticking to the basics and becoming a GOAT while we got Walker trying to skip steps in his development to become a 3pt shooting big.

I know I'm a known Walker Hater, but I want him to be great and he isnt going to be great if that's his mindset.

 

[sip]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0f5ujQViXM&ab_channel=HoopsNerd


Starting around 30:20 they talk about Walker Kessler and it was some insightful stuff from Andy I havent heard before. Says there's a disconnect between what Utah wants him to work on (simple big man stuff) and what his camp is telling him to work on (becoming Brook Lopez).

Just reinforces how special Gobert was for sticking to the basics and becoming a GOAT while we got Walker trying to skip steps in his development to become a 3pt shooting big.

I know I'm a known Walker Hater, but I want him to be great and he isnt going to be great if that's his mindset.

I don't see any reason why he shouldn't be working at both. He will be far more useful if he can develop that outside shot versus more of a back to the basket game that will rarely be used. Rudy is great because of his defense and ability to set strong screens but I still can't help but wonder what he worked on offensively in the offseason. He never really developed any post moves or a consistent mid range jumper which seems like it should have been his primary focus. They kept mentioning screening but that is more of a scrimmage skill to work on and not something that you can really focus on during individual workouts.

 

[KqWIN]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0f5ujQViXM&ab_channel=HoopsNerd


Starting around 30:20 they talk about Walker Kessler and it was some insightful stuff from Andy I havent heard before. Says there's a disconnect between what Utah wants him to work on (simple big man stuff) and what his camp is telling him to work on (becoming Brook Lopez).

Just reinforces how special Gobert was for sticking to the basics and becoming a GOAT while we got Walker trying to skip steps in his development to become a 3pt shooting big.

I know I'm a known Walker Hater, but I want him to be great and he isnt going to be great if that's his mindset.

Kessler is literally the tall guy at pick up who only wants to shoot 3's. He should listen to the staff. Wanting to shoot 3's instead of being inside the paint is not the greatest look for him given his struggles. I'm not sure you can really teach/develop a mentality though. My guess is that he fluctuates up and down between his year 1&2 level depending on his mental state.

Shooting 3's has more potential to make him worse than better imo.

 

[Elizah Huge]

I’m not nearly as high on Kessler as most on here. I would trade him + 10 to move up for Sheppard or Castle in a second.

 

[SoberasHotRod]

There are two ways for Kessler to become neutral on offense. One would be to become a 33-35% corner 3pt shooter on decent volume. The other is to become a high level rim finisher that can finish through contact and a 65% + ft shooter. He is pretty far away from both, so then the strategy becomes which is he more likely to develop and focus on that. I disagree that he should focus on both since he needs as much time as possible to develop even one of those skills.

I would think the guy who can finish through contact or at the very least not shy away from contact and hit free throws would be the easier thing to develop. His touch seems so far away from being able to hit 3's consistently, that doesn't seem attainable. I'm not sure how you learn how to embrace contact, but maybe he can take up boxing like Rudy.

On the other hand, maybe being soft isn't something you can coach out of someone and so he really would be better at developing an outside shot.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

There are two ways for Kessler to become neutral on offense. One would be to become a 33-35% corner 3pt shooter on decent volume. The other is to become a high level rim finisher that can finish through contact and a 65% + ft shooter. He is pretty far away from both, so then the strategy becomes which is he more likely to develop and focus on that. I disagree that he should focus on both since he needs as much time as possible to develop even one of those skills.

I would think the guy who can finish through contact or at the very least not shy away from contact and hit free throws would be the easier thing to develop. His touch seems so far away from being able to hit 3's consistently, that doesn't seem attainable. I'm not sure how you learn how to embrace contact, but maybe he can take up boxing like Rudy.

On the other hand, maybe being soft isn't something you can coach out of someone and so he really would be better at developing an outside shot.

He needs to get stronger for sure and focus on his screen and roll/finishing. He did seem to have some nifty finishes as a rookie and has some craft but I wonder with more strength if he could mix in more power finishes. I think he can toughen up but probably a little soft to be a building block. He can be a piece but maybe not a foundation piece. I would pivot if we got someone else in or found a good trade.

He also might get a little self awareness with age and change direction.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I don't see any reason why he shouldn't be working at both. He will be far more useful if he can develop that outside shot versus more of a back to the basket game that will rarely be used. Rudy is great because of his defense and ability to set strong screens but I still can't help but wonder what he worked on offensively in the offseason. He never really developed any post moves or a consistent mid range jumper which seems like it should have been his primary focus. They kept mentioning screening but that is more of a scrimmage skill to work on and not something that you can really focus on during individual workouts.

If you need someone to tell you why a 50% FT shooter shouldnt worry about his 3pt shot then you are even more hopeless than I knew.