Taylor Hendricks Hype Thread

[Handlogten's Heros]

I think playing with the starters also helps. The better the players are around him (meaning the less he has to do), the better he will be able to perform.

Being able to just focus on the things he does well (theoretically) and is also things that group needs is the best development he can get at this point. G League was good for him short term.

 

[KqWIN]

Being able to just focus on the things he does well (theoretically) and is also things that group needs is the best development he can get at this point. G League was good for him short term.

On that last point...I'm not too sure actually. I guess it doesn't mean too much, but my gut feeling is that if he was playing early he would be further along. You could argue there was not playing time for him at the beginning of the season, but the rotation was very much open and I still think he wouldn't have been so bad to not even be considered. Keyonte was very bad early, but I think it benefitted him to keep playing. I'm not sure why TH was not even considered an option, but I guess it doesn't matter much at this point. He's in the best position to succeed right now, which is what I thought when it was first announced he would start.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

On that last point...I'm not too sure actually. I guess it doesn't mean too much, but my gut feeling is that if he was playing early he would be further along. You could argue there was not playing time for him at the beginning of the season, but the rotation was very much open and I still think he wouldn't have been so bad to not even be considered. Keyonte was very bad early, but I think it benefitted him to keep playing. I'm not sure why TH was not even considered an option, but I guess it doesn't matter much at this point. He's in the best position to succeed right now, which is what I thought when it was first announced he would start.

I think he needed some low stakes reps in the offense and to get comfortable a bit. Maybe that happens in the varsity league but I think the baby step kinda helped. Who knows.

 

[KqWIN]

I think he needed some low stakes reps in the offense and to get comfortable a bit. Maybe that happens in the varsity league but I think the baby step kinda helped. Who knows.

Maybe….I think his entire game looked off in the G-League. Like I remember talking with you about how odd it was that loose balls were floating right past his face and he wasn’t getting them. Now I’d say it’s one of the better things he does and I think it’s because he can focus on those little things.

IMO….TH has always been a defense first prospect. For as much skepticism as I’ve had about him having an expansive offensive game, I thought he had the potential to do a lot on defense. He is still somewhat raw on defense and will need to improve his awareness, but I think he can go really far. He’s not guarding any Jimmy Butler’s in the G-League, that’s for sure. I think guarding the best of the best and being thrown in thrown into the fire is a good thing for him.

I don’t like to get ahead of myself and talk about end game state….but even with Walker we probably need at least one more elite defensive player in starting lineup to be competitive. Much more if Key+Sexton are the future backcourt (they won’t imo….just saying). Investing in TH’s defensive development is important and he needs to be in the NBA for that imo.

Water under a bridge now though.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Maybe….I think his entire game looked off in the G-League. Like I remember talking with you about how odd it was that loose balls were floating right past his face and he wasn’t getting them. Now I’d say it’s one of the better things he does and I think it’s because he can focus on those little things.

IMO….TH has always been a defense first prospect. For as much skepticism as I’ve had about him having an expansive offensive game, I thought he had the potential to do a lot on defense. He is still somewhat raw on defense and will need to improve his awareness, but I think he can go really far. He’s not guarding any Jimmy Butler’s in the G-League, that’s for sure. I think guarding the best of the best and being thrown in thrown into the fire is a good thing for him.

I don’t like to get ahead of myself and talk about end game state….but even with Walker we probably need at least one more elite defensive player in starting lineup to be competitive. Much more if Key+Sexton are the future backcourt (they won’t imo….just saying). Investing in TH’s defensive development is important and he needs to be in the NBA for that imo.

Water under a bridge now though.

Yeah, I dont think the Jazz need elite defenders, they just need to get rid of the guys who are negatives (like Sexton/Clarkson/Collins) or greatly reduce their minutes (Clarkson being a 20 mpg instead of 28+)

 

[sip]

Yeah, I dont think the Jazz need elite defenders, they just need to get rid of the guys who are negatives (like Sexton/Clarkson/Collins) or greatly reduce their minutes (Clarkson being a 20 mpg instead of 28+)

I think to really compete in this league you need to have at least one perimeter defender that is near that elite category. I'm hoping Hendricks can grow into that Aaron Gordon type that can switch onto almost anyone and be effective. If we can come out of this draft with Castle then I think he and Hendricks could be a pretty dynamic duo at the 2/3 spots defensively.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I think to really compete in this league you need to have at least one perimeter defender that is near that elite category. I'm hoping Hendricks can grow into that Aaron Gordon type that can switch onto almost anyone and be effective. If we can come out of this draft with Castle then I think he and Hendricks could be a pretty dynamic duo at the 2/3 spots defensively.

Not having negative defenders is innumerably more important than having elite perimeter defenders. I dont think they are even that important.

You just need the defensive big who can play 30+ MPG. Currently the Jazz don't have that. Hopefully Walker can get there. Still has a lot of growing up to do before that though.

 

[FalseFlagg K]

Not having negative defenders is innumerably more important than having elite perimeter defenders. I dont think they are even that important.

You just need the defensive big who can play 30+ MPG. Currently the Jazz don't have that. Hopefully Walker can get there. Still has a lot of growing up to do before that though.

not having value on having an elite perimeter defender is an interesting statement .. can you expand on that ? (genuine question)

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

not having value on having an elite perimeter defender is an interesting statement .. can you expand on that ? (genuine question)

Just dont think they are that valuable with how the NBA is played.

Most teams will seek out the worst defender on the court, so raising your floor is going to serve you better than having an elite perimeter defender.

 

[KqWIN]

Yeah, I dont think the Jazz need elite defenders, they just need to get rid of the guys who are negatives (like Sexton/Clarkson/Collins) or greatly reduce their minutes (Clarkson being a 20 mpg instead of 28+)

Eh...you're fighting a real uphill battle without elite defensive players. I don't think you're wrong that the weak link may be more important than the defensive ace....but if you look at the previous champions you will see a list of teams where the majority had multiple elite defenders. I understand the Nuggets won without the most impressive defensive personnel, but like I said, uphill battle without elite defenders.

To your point, I do agree that making up for a poor defender is something that can be done in the regular season and less so in the playoffs. Like if we're starting Key+Sexton (assuming Key doesn't improve his defense), we probably can't win the whole thing even if we have 1-2 elite defenders. But you'd still love to have elite defenders in the playoffs.

 

[sip]

Eh...you're fighting a real uphill battle without elite defensive players. I don't think you're wrong that the weak link may be more important than the defensive ace....but if you look at the previous champions you will see a list of teams where the majority had multiple elite defenders. I understand the Nuggets won without the most impressive defensive personnel, but like I said, uphill battle without elite defenders.

To your point, I do agree that making up for a poor defender is something that can be done in the regular season and less so in the playoffs. Like if we're starting Key+Sexton (assuming Key doesn't improve his defense), we probably can't win the whole thing even if we have 1-2 elite defenders. But you'd still love to have elite defenders in the playoffs.

I thought Aaron Gordon was elite last year for the nugs in that playoff run and KCP was also pretty damn good. The year before Andrew Wiggins was elite defensively for the warriors in the playoffs and in particular in the Finals.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Eh...you're fighting a real uphill battle without elite defensive players. I don't think you're wrong that the weak link may be more important than the defensive ace....but if you look at the previous champions you will see a list of teams where the majority had multiple elite defenders. I understand the Nuggets won without the most impressive defensive personnel, but like I said, uphill battle without elite defenders.

To your point, I do agree that making up for a poor defender is something that can be done in the regular season and less so in the playoffs. Like if we're starting Key+Sexton (assuming Key doesn't improve his defense), we probably can't win the whole thing even if we have 1-2 elite defenders. But you'd still love to have elite defenders in the playoffs.

Your best defender is going to be a big on 90% of championship teams. The Heatles are the last team off the top of my head who werent anchored by an elite big. Jokic is the Nuggets best defender even though people want to act like he is bad.

When I said the Jazz dont need an elite defender, I meant perimeter. I think Walker has potential to be the Jazz's elite defender that makes everyone else work around him (assuming "everyone else" arent negative defenders).