Stott's deserves some credit as he has Jake moving without the ball and playing to his strengths. He's not the type of player where you tell him to go stand in the corner or up top. He can get a shot off many ways too.
It seems that we don't really know how it happened, do we? I do know that the thing that struck me when he was in D league a couple years ago is that he played kind of fearlessly; he played very fast and he seemed not afraid to try anything, dribbling, passing on the move, shooting from anywhere. He wasn't so successful a lot of the time. Maybe his skills caught up to his enthusiasm; maybe it helped when he began playing with better players? We haven't heard from him or from a coach whether they told him to start moving more and trying everything or if he just decided on his own, but it does seem that his confidence came from himself and not from the coaches.
Right. Everybody says it’s a new confidence, and I get that, but what triggered the confidence? And why did it seem to happen so quickly, overnight almost? It’s like someone flipped a switch.
Layman Laid in wait for the first 3 games of his rookie season, then played his first game ever, 8 minutes in garbage time in a blowout against...Golden State. In my posts in this thread, the links don't produce his name now, but they were impressive that day: http://www.sportstwo.com/posts/4002469/ box score https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201611010POR.html
He now makes the shots he used to miss. Hope that analysis wasn't too deep. I can write it without the technical terms if you'd like.
Limited/Unlimited? Driving layup over 2 defenders (probably an And-1) Spot up '3' Jump hook of a scramble Jump hook of a cut (over Draymond) Turn around jumper in the post Kick out '3' (over Draymond) Relocation spot up '3' Unlimited - About the only way he didn't score this game was in transition or off a lob dunk. Since we know he's got that down pretty darn well, I'm actually quite impressed with the variety of ways he scored in this game. That might be the most varied offensive repertoire on the Blazers roster. Limited - But there is one area where he is quite lacking.....ability to create his own shot. His handle isn't such he can really get his own if the shot clock were winding down. That said, he has been able to create his own on the few post ups he's received. But he needs work on his handles and the power 1 or 2 dribble pull up along with a step-back. He gets PLENTY of arc on his shot so it's just a matter of creating just a little space to get his shot off and be comfortable with it. What is different with Jake than almost any player I've seen is when he misses, most of his misses are straight on, but 'long'. So it's not that he isn't getting a good shot, just needs to develop his touch a little more and work on the handles. That in turn should get him more assists or opportunities to create for others or get the hockey assist because he has shown to be a willing passer....just doesn't get/create many of those opportunities.
Maybe Layman actually running through the offensive like it is attend to be. Harkless does the same thing but does it half ass and Layman does full speed.
I think Jake is certainly the more athletic of the two, not as quick with his release, and better on the block. Could he ever get near Klay's level? Who knows....but I think there are other things he could do better that would compliment his catch and shoot abilities. If he can take another step forward next season, we might have something special.
I always saw potential in him based on the way he moved. He's quick,nimble,athletic, and shows a good motor. His shot would not fall though, and he was more tenative
I agree with your assessments of his limitations, but I would add that, importantly, he does not try to force things he's not good at.
Handle, passing vision, finishing/scoring in traffic and from difficult angles are pretty limiting factors in his game imo. Didn't mean he's not valuable. Just don't buy into some of the upside comps that some people throw around (Klay, Granger). I don't think he has the skill package or mentality be the scorer on that level of usage.
Might he be in the running for MIP? Not sure which other players are having break-out seasons this year.
