Game Thread 2022-23 Game #1 - BLAZERS @ KINGS - OCTOBER 19, 2022 - WEDNESDAY - 7:00 PM (PDT) ROOT

So you're riding with the false narrative that Ant can't play defense ?

 

Google Brandon Jennings and his first NBA game.....then look at how the scouts decided to actually scout him. Teams will figure this kid out quick. Thats my prediction. The other teams don't even have a report on him yet. The law of averages always catch up son.

 

It's easy to figure out....go google the team's record during that time FAMS.

 

Brandon Jennings was small and light for an NBA player, he was no athletic specimen and his game, for all practical purposes, iirc, was being super fast with the ball, nothing else that looked like a real NBA player at the time. He still became a first-team rookie.

I am going to say that while I am sure Sharpe will have his issues in the league as part of the growth and learning the league, his athletic ability and what we have already seen with his ability to play within half court with turn around buckets and step backs - there is a lot more to his game than just one skill. He is not a Greg Brown that can jump like crazy but seemed lost for most of last year. He already seems to have much more skill and much better awareness. I think it is very likely that he will see 15-20 minutes per game on average by the end of the year. He seems to have the pace and skill and does not seem to just have a spot because of his athletic ability.

 

Yeah, he will have his ups and downs this year for sure. He will need to adjust and he will hit the rookie wall at some point. Having said that his skill set and athleticism will be hard to stop even if they know it is coming.

Just give him his 18 minutes a game and let him continue to develop.

 

.....

 

How do you "figure out" a player standing in the corner shooting threes?

 

My statement had nothing to do with how great Dame plays.

 

Coaches can sub out their poor defenders....but most times don't do it when it is their 'stars'.

Don't see anywhere that I said anything like that. Ant can play defense. It's just not very good most of the time.

 

I think you are right here but there were some other things that cannot be scouted. He hit contested looks from three. He played defense pretty well. He is very athletic and moves well without the ball.
The thing that will get scouted is his handles. He will have to work very hard on that issue. They will pick him clean when they get the scouting report.

 

yes

 

Yes, this is unfortunately true. However in the last minute of a game when there are a lot of timeouts you see it with star players who are in foul trouble. They know they are going back in on offense so it makes it easier to do.

Regardless I was saying it in response to your 3/5ths remark. The Blazer can increase it from 60% good defenders to 80% by simply putting in Gp2 for Ant when they are on defense in that scenario. (Although I think Simons has gotten much better) Or if they need a rim protector put Nurk back in for him. The only downside is neither are reliable free throw shooters.

 

That was a fun game. Josh, Jeremy, and Justice are junk yard dogs. Go Blazers!

 

Btw what happened to @Scalma ? Is he not here anymore?

 

I think your point that you can't measure a player until they've truly been scouted, then if they appear to be great, are they the #1 priority on the opponents scout.

I'm not confident in saying he'll be Brandon Jennings anymore than I'm confident saying he'l be an all-star.

 

that help by Hart really created this defensive possession, but winslow was impressive

 

Jennings averaged 16ppg and 7apg in his rookie year. I guess the scouts didn’t figure him out. If Sharpe did that, it’d be amazing.

For some reason, you hate Sharpe which means you really don’t know the game of basketball. Sharpe is clearly the most talented player on the team. It’s obvious to people who know the game. He’s going to help us win games and that’s what truly matters. Esp on the defensive end which scouts can’t do anything about. Simply put, Sharpe is our best SG since Drexler.