Thanks for this. So in aggregate: 11.6pts, 6.8rebs, 4.7 asts, 2stl, 0.7 blk, 2.7 TO, 44.7% FG, 30% 3pt, 53% FT in 32 mpg. That FT% is alarmingly bad. The other numbers are decent. I think shooting is his biggest question mark. If we feel he can improve with more reps, then I could be convinced that he can pop.
These might help: Kuminga 13 games from 2/10/21 to 3/3/2021 15.8 ppg 7.2 rebounds per game 2.7 assists per game 24.6 3-point % 62.5 free-throw % https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Jonathan-Kuminga/GameLogs/127826/D-League/2021 Jalen Green 15 games from 2/10 to 3/6 17.9 ppg 4.1 rebounds per game 2.8 assists per game 36.5 3-point % 82.9 Free throw % https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Jalen-Green/GameLogs/117342/D-League Dyson Daniels game log shows all games, so I will use stats from nba.com for the Ignite tour. I assume that's the last 15 game he played. 11.9 ppg 7.4 rebounds per game 5.1 assists per game. 34.7% 3-point % 38.5% free-throw % https://stats.gleague.nba.com/playe.../?Season=2021-22&SeasonType=Ignite exhibition full game log for Dyson: https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Dyson-Daniels/GameLogs/151792
As he is now, contribution-wise, he looks like a Josh Giddey with less fancy passing but much better defense. Giddey shot 70% on free-throws. so not good but not alarming. "Defensively. Josh Giddey is never going to be an elite on-ball defender." google search Edit: Josh Giddey rookie stats: 12.5 ppg 7.8 rebounds per game 6.4 assists per game. 26.3 % 3-point % 70.9% free throw % 1.5 free-throw attempts/game 31.5 minutes per game. In Daniels' last 10 games: 3 - point shots 14-33 (so 3.3 attempts per game) = 42.4% free throws : 7-15 (so 1.5 attenpts per game) = 50% Besides his low free-throw percentage, Daniels has very low free-throw attempts. If his 3-point shooting is improving, maybe it's just a matter of reps like you said, for his free-throw shooting to improve.
My goal is to have as many good ball handlers on the floor at the same time. So I would prefer him as a point forward. Either way, he will need to improve his shooting.
Seems like it would be easier to fix such bad free-throw shooting compared to really bad 3-point shooting. He seems to be improving his 3-point shooting already. And as a rookie, his 3-point shooting would be much more important for him to contribute than his free-throw shooting.
The FT shooting in itself is not the issue. It's what it could represent about his ability to become a passable shooter in the league. There are obviously players that buck the trend-- you would hope Daniels can do that if we draft him. https://fansided.com/2020/07/29/nba-draft-shooting-synopsis-free-throws-runners-touch/ edit, while the ft is suspect, daniels does have terrific touch on his floater, though.
Bruce Bowen was a well-known defensive player who had low free-throw attempts over his career, 1.2 attempts per game, and shot poorly at the free-throw line, 57.5 % over his career, but was a very good 3-point shooter with a career average of 39.3 percent. Bowen had 6 seasons in which he shot over 40 percent on 3-pointers. Bowen even had a season where 44% on 3-pointers on 2.8 attempts and 40% on free throws on 1.1 attempts.
Besides being a poor % shooter, the other concerning thing with his J is a slow release. He also drifts in various directions instead of consistently going straight up and down. While it's possible that he irons out his form & accuracy issues, that will take some time which is why I view him as bit of a project. The below video highlights his jumper starting 7:45 STOMP
He did acknowledge that his release was slow and that he needs to work on it. A much better response than AJ Griffin about his poor defense "I'm going to prove the doubters wrong."
They highlight his floater in the video I just posted starting at about the 6:30 mark. They state he averaged 40% on it in the G league, which isn't exactly worth crowing about though. STOMP
To my eye it looks like he's aiming the ball instead of trusting shot mechanics & shooting it/flowing. Hopefully he's working with someone good who is breaking those mechanics down and getting him right. I agree that acknowledging weaknesses is an important step towards correcting them. STOMP
To me, Daniels and Sochan are kind of the same except for their position. Meaning good handles, great D, and both have to develop their outside shot. So if we are talking about drafting Daniels, I think I would rather have Sochan. If we go Guard I think it comes down to Mathurin vs Sharpe. Mathurin seems like a safer bet. Griffin's health scares me. These 5 players are destined to be gone by the time we pick: Chet, Smith, Banchero, Ivey, Murray
Yup. If I'm taking on a project that can't shoot, if things are relatively equal I'd rather the do it all but shoot guy be in my front court. Like Dyson he's a bigger guy who passes first, but JS seems like he could also win the defensive rebound and really push the break. I also happen to think he's even more versatile defensively then DD able to guard 1-4. To my eye he looks Batum size and length though a bit stockier... what stands out most is solid athlete with BBIQ and a great motor. STOMP
To me Daniels seems to bridge the gap between guard and small forward. He has the height and length to play small forward if the Dame/Ant thing works out. But he is also good enough to play point guard next to Dame or Ant if we decide to break up that pair.
This is a solid argument on why to draft Daniels. But in a head-to-head debate with Sochan, (assuming they are similar in talent) then I got to go with our bigger need and that is a PF who can guard bigger PFs inside and on the perimeter, and who can switch onto pretty much any player on the court. Those guys are harder to find IMO. He may not ever be a star, but he could be extremely valuable playing next to pretty much anyone.
I kind of agree, whatever young player they draft (if they keep) isn't going to be looked at to score big time anyway, with Dame, Ant, Grant & Nurk, so why not go with the best defender and one that can guard 1-5. I think he's the kind of player that will surprise offensively in the pros in the paint with put backs and leaping leaners.
