What each player needs to tweak this summer...

[Skybox]

There's plenty of other threads for who should come and who should go, so let's forget about that here. What are reasonable expectations for our principal players to improve upon over the summer? Skip the fantasies of Cole becoming an elite defender, Isaac being healthy, Fultz developing a high-level 3pt shot, etc. Assuming we're running it back, what are realistic offseason priorities and/or targeted improvements by player? Obviously, all should be working on basic skills, but what should their "mission" be?

I'll start...

Suggs - just keep shooting. His improvement has been significant...if he matches it next year, his numbers will be approaching elite efficiency. I don't think that level of improvement is likely, but it just shows how significant his jump was this season.

Cole - open runs as a PG. Just refining his team-first decisions. Making players around him better. Walk in the gym with a plan to take what the game gives him with an emphasis on setting others up to score.

Fultz - learn to use that physicality and strength to draw contact and finish through it. Considering his excellent ability to move thru traffic while protecting the ball and going hard to the hoop, he should really be getting to the line (literally) twice as much as he does now. There's got to be effective drills to help develop that tendency...maybe, due to his injuries, he's learned to avoid significant contact with great body control...now he needs to seek it out when the matchups favor him. He's really clever on the court - I think he see a lot of little things. He needs to turn his skillset even further towards his strengths and pick up freebies from the line and more assists when defenses collapse on him.

Franz - I'm sure it's all subtle refinements with such a complete young player but I'd really like to see him up his "hunting of 3 pt shots". He's a really good shooter and his tendency is to ball fake and drive the majority of the time. He's an elite finisher at the rim and routinely extends beyond defenders and lays it in with a variety of touches and angles...I'd like to see him just step right into 3's when he receives a kick out pass rather than just pump fake and start the offense over. He certainly shoots 3's now, but I think he could hoist a lot more if he's thinking of them first.

WCJ - same as Franz. Stop pump-faking and passing up open shots. He has progressed significantly as a confident shooter and I'd hope he continues. I don't want or expect him to turn into Bamba and hang out on the perimeter, but he does pass up open threes and he's capable of making more, IMO. Everything is not about threes for him and Franz, but a few more points per game from the perimeter will only enhance both of their overall games by keeping defenders on their heels.

Harris - he is what he is and he knows what he brings...I just wish he'd be a little LESS selective and inject just a little bit of TRoss into his offensive mentality. He knows he's a solid spot up guy and that's what he should do, but maybe a little more effort running defenders into picks, etc and rolling into quicker shots.

Schofield, MCW, and Kevon - insane cardio. The only thing they bring is defensive intensity and they need to be able to go full-speed every minute they are out there...or they won't be out there. Also, one reliable spot-up location. PJ Tucker is not a good 3pt shooter, or shooter in general, but he's over 40% on corner 3's. Role players - just find your one or two things and master them.

M. Wagner - I really don't know how much defensive coaching you can do beyond a certain age...but he's a clever player and he's fearless. He does those little things to clear lanes for others and box out so others can get boards. I'd like to think he could maybe integrate a few more little 'dirty tricks' into his defensive game and up his 2-way value.

Banchero - move better without the ball. Learn what to do when you don't have the ball in your hands. He's still very young, despite his accomplishments and size...you can often find him disengaged if he doesn't have the ball. Defensive rebounding principles and offensive support play principles...all teachable.

I really don't know what's up with Okeke and Houstan and I don't really have great faith in Bol...but he does seem earnest about it. Maybe 8 hrs a day of basketball principles and drills....just getting him to learn the subtleties of the game more and how to contribute other than dribbling full-court and crashing towards the hoop. Who knows?

Again, not talking miracles or dreams here...just 10% improvement each.

[drsd]

First off, every player needs this:

[drsd]

There's plenty of other threads for who should come and who should go, so let's forget about that here. What are reasonable expectations for our principal players to improve upon over the summer?

Following your pattern.

Suggs: 10,000 three's a day every day over the summer.

Anthony: Practice on box out on defensive rebounds over jumping to get the rebound himself. Also, as he is a great defensive rebounder, practice passing out immediately to be the receiver of fast-break baskets as well as initiating them.

Fultz: see Suggs

F-Wagner: get a lot more strength and flexibility below the knees and at the ankle level. He is getting close to blowing out his achilles in some of his recent injuries and he needs to get his feet more solid to keep that from happening.

Carter: keep on carrying on. That is. look for marginal games in improving efficiency.

G-Harris: look for a good realtor to get a nice return on the house - he is moving on.

Schofield, Carter-Williams, and K-Harris: accept that this is as good as it gets and always play ever play like it the last time you will ever be on the NBA court; it might just be.

M-Wagner: Thugs-life ball is fun and all, but it is not effective. For every charge, how many fouls are given. Thus: get a lot better at setting clear, hard picks. Watch a lot of Steven Adams videos on what actually playing tough looks like.

Banchero: Get stronger without adding any weight at all. Work on more low-post moves to jack up the FT totals to sky high levels. And: see Suggs.

[Knightro]

There's plenty of other threads for who should come and who should go, so let's forget about that here. What are reasonable expectations for our principal players to improve upon over the summer?

Cole: 3PT shooting
Suggs: 3PT shooting
Fultz: 3PT shooting
Franz: 3PT shooting
Paolo: 3PT shooting
Carter: 3PT shooting
Bol: 3PT shooting
Goga: 3PT shooting
Moritz: 3PT shooting
Houstan: 3PT shooting

[SOUL]

Isaac tweaking something would be horrible

[Petre1978]

Every player needs to practice shooting!!!

[j-ragg]

Shooting obviously.

I’d love for Paolo to try and learn some footwork from perimeter drives that Franz does. If Paolo could add a good eurostep, or learn how to time that gather step right so it’s almost a travel but not, that’d add to his already great driving game.