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How bout that AB!

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Re: How bout that AB! 

Post#121 » by basketballRob » Sat Dec 28, 2024 12:19 pm

OrlandoDream wrote:I dont understand the fascination with AB. Plays good defense.....and that's as big as his upside goes. Doesnt have the ball handling for a PG, cannot sink a jumpshot to save his life, and turns it over at an alarming high rate. Im sure he will improve as just 20yo but if the opportunity came to upgrade the roster, would not hesitate to include him. He will likely end up a solid rotation player but nothing we will regret trading Imo
He shoots 34% from 3 for his career. Suggs and Franz 33%. Paolo 32%. Their is a chance that AB becomes the best shooter of the group.

ABs' problem is not taking open shots, picking up his dribble, and not attacking the rim. I don't think it's his shooting. What other 20 year old is shooting better?

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Re: How bout that AB! 

Post#122 » by Skybox » Sat Dec 28, 2024 12:48 pm

basketballRob wrote:
OrlandoDream wrote:I dont understand the fascination with AB. Plays good defense.....and that's as big as his upside goes. Doesnt have the ball handling for a PG, cannot sink a jumpshot to save his life, and turns it over at an alarming high rate. Im sure he will improve as just 20yo but if the opportunity came to upgrade the roster, would not hesitate to include him. He will likely end up a solid rotation player but nothing we will regret trading Imo
He shoots 34% from 3 for his career. Suggs and Franz 33%. Paolo 32%. Their is a chance that AB becomes the best shooter of the group.

ABs' problem is not taking open shots, picking up his dribble, and not attacking the rim. I don't think it's his shooting. What other 20 year old is shooting better?

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I just can’t muster support for a “shooter” who takes 2.4 3pt attempts…not to mention making them at 26.6%. There’s a lot to like/hope for with a 6’7 football-tough defender…but he’s getting big opportunities and disappearing on offense most nights. If you want to concede that his upside is Marcus Smart and consider whether that’s what’s needed…fine. But projecting these young guys to suddenly become different types of players is very likely disappointing. IF he just starts shooting, he’ll at least be a threat…he’s a 4th guard, he’d be great next to a Sexton or Simons or even a Tyus (who might have gotten us more reserve scoring with his table-setting), who can (deal with this fact) mask his weaknesses & complemented by his strengths.

If he turns into more - awesome- but we can’t hold back the team just to keep a lane open for him when he hasn’t “grabbed” it
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Re: How bout that AB! 

Post#123 » by basketballRob » Sat Dec 28, 2024 12:54 pm

Skybox wrote:
basketballRob wrote:
OrlandoDream wrote:I dont understand the fascination with AB. Plays good defense.....and that's as big as his upside goes. Doesnt have the ball handling for a PG, cannot sink a jumpshot to save his life, and turns it over at an alarming high rate. Im sure he will improve as just 20yo but if the opportunity came to upgrade the roster, would not hesitate to include him. He will likely end up a solid rotation player but nothing we will regret trading Imo
He shoots 34% from 3 for his career. Suggs and Franz 33%. Paolo 32%. Their is a chance that AB becomes the best shooter of the group.

ABs' problem is not taking open shots, picking up his dribble, and not attacking the rim. I don't think it's his shooting. What other 20 year old is shooting better?

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I just can’t muster support for a “shooter” who takes 2.4 3pt attempts…not to mention making them at 26.6%. There’s a lot to like/hope for with a 6’7 football-tough defender…but he’s getting big opportunities and disappearing on offense most nights. If you want to concede that his upside is Marcus Smart and consider whether that’s what’s needed…fine. But projecting these young guys to suddenly become different types of players is very likely disappointing. IF he just starts shooting, he’ll at least be a threat…he’s a 4th guard, he’d be great next to a Sexton or Simons or even a Tyus (who might have gotten us more reserve scoring with his table-setting), who can (deal with this fact) mask his weaknesses & complemented by his strengths.

If he turns into more - awesome- but we can’t hold back the team just to keep a lane open for him when he hasn’t “grabbed” it
Phoenix got worse with Tyus this season.

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Re: How bout that AB! 

Post#124 » by Skybox » Sat Dec 28, 2024 12:58 pm

basketballRob wrote:
Skybox wrote:
basketballRob wrote:He shoots 34% from 3 for his career. Suggs and Franz 33%. Paolo 32%. Their is a chance that AB becomes the best shooter of the group.

ABs' problem is not taking open shots, picking up his dribble, and not attacking the rim. I don't think it's his shooting. What other 20 year old is shooting better?

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I just can’t muster support for a “shooter” who takes 2.4 3pt attempts…not to mention making them at 26.6%. There’s a lot to like/hope for with a 6’7 football-tough defender…but he’s getting big opportunities and disappearing on offense most nights. If you want to concede that his upside is Marcus Smart and consider whether that’s what’s needed…fine. But projecting these young guys to suddenly become different types of players is very likely disappointing. IF he just starts shooting, he’ll at least be a threat…he’s a 4th guard, he’d be great next to a Sexton or Simons or even a Tyus (who might have gotten us more reserve scoring with his table-setting), who can (deal with this fact) mask his weaknesses & complemented by his strengths.

If he turns into more - awesome- but we can’t hold back the team just to keep a lane open for him when he hasn’t “grabbed” it
Phoenix got worse with Tyus this season.

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You really think that’s his fault? Look at his totally consistent efficiency…if anything, he should be the best backup PG in the NBA, not necessarily among the smaller starters…he can definitely be exploited, but he’d have better ‘coverage’ in a significant but lesser role here…anyway, that ship has sailed.
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Re: How bout that AB! 

Post#125 » by AdamTheGreek » Sat Dec 28, 2024 2:51 pm

AB needs more games under his belt before he warrants any true criticism.
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Re: How bout that AB! 

Post#126 » by CarraT » Sat Dec 28, 2024 4:14 pm

AdamTheGreek wrote:AB needs more games under his belt before he warrants any true criticism.


Heard that a lot about Fultz. Even when he was in his 6th year, people claiming "this is basically his sophomore year", "he just needs to start shooting more", "just give him more time" etc.
Im fine with him as long as he is on rookie contract. But im also down with trading him together with Cole for an offensive guard.
But if wants us to sign him long-term, he definetly needs to improve A LOT.
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Re: How bout that AB! 

Post#127 » by Skybox » Sat Dec 28, 2024 5:41 pm

CarraT wrote:
AdamTheGreek wrote:AB needs more games under his belt before he warrants any true criticism.


Heard that a lot about Fultz. Even when he was in his 6th year, people claiming "this is basically his sophomore year", "he just needs to start shooting more", "just give him more time" etc.
Im fine with him as long as he is on rookie contract. But im also down with trading him together with Cole for an offensive guard.
But if wants us to sign him long-term, he definetly needs to improve A LOT.


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Re: How bout that AB! 

Post#128 » by The-Stallion70 » Sat Dec 28, 2024 6:16 pm

CarraT wrote:Been saying that since his draft and still see it. He is basically like MCW. Good on defense, but like really really bad on offense. He has an 98 (!) Offensive Rating. Thats unplayable in playoffs.


MCW knew how to play, he just couldn't shoot the ball. Guy was ROY, if MCW had shot he probably would been an all star.

MCW came into the league at 22 years after playing fir Boeheim at Syracuse, Black came in at 18 or 19 or whatever and to me he looks like he's still trying to learn how to play and the NBA is not a good place for that. Like you're trying to learn how to drive 70 MPH before driving at 30mph.
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Re: How bout that AB! 

Post#129 » by Idiosyncratic » Sat Dec 28, 2024 6:26 pm

I liked his defense on Brunson a lot. Brunson barely looked to score with AB on him. When they went smaller Mosley had AB on Bridges and even Towns for a small portion of the game. That's when most of Brunson's points came.
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Re: How bout that AB! 

Post#130 » by RichCollab » Sat Dec 28, 2024 6:59 pm

AB projects as at least a top 4 guard on a team. He can get as high as the #2.

I don’t see his ceiling below that. He needs a couple of seasons under his belt for it becomes clear.

Size, toughness, competitiveness with good to great defense. He is the blueprint for this FO.
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Re: How bout that AB! 

Post#131 » by pepe1991 » Sat Dec 28, 2024 8:31 pm

Oh boy...
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Re: How bout that AB! 

Post#132 » by ogmagicfan » Sat Dec 28, 2024 10:02 pm

Encouraging: He has had some good games more often this season where it looks like he clicking on all cylinders. He has improved his FT %, and his defense has improved, he had a decent connection with Moe on pnrs

Discouraging: In the games he looks lost, he looks as lost if not more than last season, his 3 pt % has dropped, he keeps picking up his dribble instead of keeping it alive
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Re: How bout that AB! 

Post#133 » by GelbeWand09 » Sun Dec 29, 2024 7:07 am

basketballRob wrote:
OrlandoDream wrote:I dont understand the fascination with AB. Plays good defense.....and that's as big as his upside goes. Doesnt have the ball handling for a PG, cannot sink a jumpshot to save his life, and turns it over at an alarming high rate. Im sure he will improve as just 20yo but if the opportunity came to upgrade the roster, would not hesitate to include him. He will likely end up a solid rotation player but nothing we will regret trading Imo
He shoots 34% from 3 for his career. Suggs and Franz 33%. Paolo 32%. Their is a chance that AB becomes the best shooter of the group.

ABs' problem is not taking open shots, picking up his dribble, and not attacking the rim. I don't think it's his shooting. What other 20 year old is shooting better?

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He shoots 34 % on super low attempts, mostly from the shortest distance and wiiiiiide open. He is a really bad shooter. The other 3 take completely different kind of 3s. No comparison at all. He was a really bad shooter last year despite the % because he only took the easiest 3point shots existing on super low volume, with tons of time. If he took regular 3's on solid volume last year, his % would have been looking like this year or worse already. His % was just sugar coated by the type of shots he took.

I'm a AB fan but he needs to improve his shot or he won't become a longtime starter in the NBA on a serious team. We seen how this works a few times already and fans always defended those players til they were out of the leaque because they couldn't shoot. AB needs to learn to shoot, he needs a floater and he needs to learn to finish at the rim. The ballhandling won't improve much at this age anymore. Unlike Elf and Fultz he is a very good defender and has more positional flexibility, so he won't get out of the leaque if he doesn't improve in those areas by a lot and settle as a better version of Exum or smaller SloMo but he won't be a longtime starter and not a PG.
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Re: How bout that AB! 

Post#134 » by basketballRob » Sun Dec 29, 2024 11:32 am

GelbeWand09 wrote:
basketballRob wrote:
OrlandoDream wrote:I dont understand the fascination with AB. Plays good defense.....and that's as big as his upside goes. Doesnt have the ball handling for a PG, cannot sink a jumpshot to save his life, and turns it over at an alarming high rate. Im sure he will improve as just 20yo but if the opportunity came to upgrade the roster, would not hesitate to include him. He will likely end up a solid rotation player but nothing we will regret trading Imo
He shoots 34% from 3 for his career. Suggs and Franz 33%. Paolo 32%. Their is a chance that AB becomes the best shooter of the group.

ABs' problem is not taking open shots, picking up his dribble, and not attacking the rim. I don't think it's his shooting. What other 20 year old is shooting better?

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He shoots 34 % on super low attempts, mostly from the shortest distance and wiiiiiide open. He is a really bad shooter. The other 3 take completely different kind of 3s. No comparison at all. He was a really bad shooter last year despite the % because he only took the easiest 3point shots existing on super low volume, with tons of time. If he took regular 3's on solid volume last year, his % would have been looking like this year or worse already. His % was just sugar coated by the type of shots he took.

I'm a AB fan but he needs to improve his shot or he won't become a longtime starter in the NBA on a serious team. We seen how this works a few times already and fans always defended those players til they were out of the leaque because they couldn't shoot. AB needs to learn to shoot, he needs a floater and he needs to learn to finish at the rim. The ballhandling won't improve much at this age anymore. Unlike Elf and Fultz he is a very good defender and has more positional flexibility, so he won't get out of the leaque if he doesn't improve in those areas by a lot and settle as a better version of Exum or smaller SloMo but he won't be a longtime starter and not a PG.
He does have a floater. I would say half of his 3s aren't from the corners. AB just has an aggression problem.


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Re: How bout that AB! 

Post#135 » by Skybox » Sun Dec 29, 2024 11:58 am

[quote="basketballRob"He shoots 34% from 3 for his career. Suggs and Franz 33%. Paolo 32%. Their is a chance that AB becomes the best shooter of the group.

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This is not a very compelling argument, imo…reeks of Fultz who was the “Best PG on the team” (he still would be- that doesn’t make him good)…aka “Tallest Dwarf”

You only have to watch a game (take a break from the spreadsheet) to see AB is still a reluctant shooter and his % this year can’t even be spun into some promise of scaling up (like last year’s “success”).
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Re: How bout that AB! 

Post#136 » by eyriq » Sun Dec 29, 2024 3:20 pm

I'll be looking for increased aggression

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Re: How bout that AB! 

Post#137 » by OrlandoDream » Sun Dec 29, 2024 3:22 pm

eyriq wrote:I'll be looking for increased aggression

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This is a confidence issue. He has none right now. The vets need to be in his ear.
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Re: How bout that AB! 

Post#138 » by Bergmaniac » Sun Dec 29, 2024 3:40 pm

Weird example to pick, getting Harris a wide open 3 is a better play than Black taking a mid-range jumper himself. Black is shooting only 30% from 10-16 feet and less than this from further out.
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Re: How bout that AB! 

Post#139 » by The-Stallion70 » Sun Dec 29, 2024 4:17 pm

RichCollab wrote:AB projects as at least a top 4 guard on a team.


Cool so Gary Harris then?

You are hoping for better than a rotation guard, in any part of the rotation as you state, when you are picking 6th..
California Gold wrote:This is extra because people hate the Lakers and their brand so much.

This trade wasn't some conspiracy - it was just a GM wanting AD bad enough where in most people's eyes he overpaid by a long shot to get him.
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Re: How bout that AB! 

Post#140 » by Skybox » Sun Dec 29, 2024 4:57 pm

Now that we have a legit 7' rim-protecting center, we might look at moving off of Isaac and going smaller. AB & KCP are long enough to play more 3 (as well as guard), but this also opens more minutes for another guard who can score and handle. KCP & AB can just double down on what they're already good at and add as they can. I'm not for bumping AB out - I'm for winning, finding a spot where he can contribute NOW and, hopefully, improve his offensive game and contribute even more over the next couple of years.

Isaac's new deal is very tradable and when it drops to $15m per (with Team 'outs'), the minutes restrictions aren't as big of an issue. Isaac is an awesome defender, but maybe we don't need 5 All-defense candidates on a team that can't put up 90 pts. There's something to be said for not wondering, year after year, if he can be counted on to play. We've still got WCJ for that and his move to the second unit could be just the ticket for his injury concerns.

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