The Dante Exum Thread

[Javanar]

I hope one of the teams draft Wiggins before us...

[Rastas]

It seems those AIS and high school kids who dante was playing against last year arn't too bad either, the U/17 Australian boys beat an older junior USA team by 8 points in China a few hours ago.

[Showbiz Bear]

It's sure to be entertaining, if we draft Exum, to see the handful of Dante detractors either eat crow or lose their marbles on this board. Or maybe they'll just accept that our front office brass knows what the hell they're doing and will make the best decision for this team.

I want Exum in the worst way, but if we draft Smart, I'm not gonna flip out over it because I'll know Henny and crew did their due diligence and picked the best player available.

Personally, I would just REALLY love to play with this lineup on 2K15:

Exum/Meer
Dipo/AA (6th Man, baby)
Harris/Hark
KOQ/Drew
Vooch/Dedmon

(Not taking into consideration who we draft at #12)

[Skin]

The knock on Exum not proving himself against college competition really started to get me thinking and before I knew it, I started growing a short post into a longer one. It became therapeutic so forgive me for being lengthy. This isn't rocket science or anything, but I decided to chop my thoughts up into several posts since I think it's easier to read or reply to. So here goes my ramble.

The science of drafting is always changing, but in looking back at history there are lessons to learn of what worked. There was a time when High Schoolers could make the jump straight to the NBA and it was so successful that it became the more desirable thing for NBA teams to do. College talent took a backseat to the oozing potential of High Schoolers who were making their marks in the NBA.

Fast forward to today, and now any prospect who doesn't go to college first is being more heavily scrutinized than the talent coming out of college. The system has worked in that the college game has filtered out some of the talent that clearly wasn't ready for the NBA, but where is the lost faith and confidence that teams and fans used to have on High Schoolers who used to make the direct jump? How can we draw back upon lessons of years past to help us make a successful decision? How can we apply this to Dante Exum? What makes selecting him any more unattractive than the days when teams used to confidently gobble up HS talent over college talent?

Well we can start by looking at the Off Court Evaluations.

1) Measurables and Intangibles.



Height, wingspan, standing reach, hand size, verticals, cone drills, etc. For Exum, he already offers rare size for his position, so off the bat, he begins to separate himself from his competition. He needs to continue to fill out his body and add muscle mass, but his frame offers him an incredible opportunity. His explosion stats did not break news waves, but it was enough to put him among some of the successful players in the NBA. These stats are not the tell all, end all, but at the end of the day Exum stands out among his competition.

While explosion numbers are a starting gauge, basketball really relies a lot on coordination and smarts, not just raw measurables. When it comes to coordination, Exum plays an incredibly smooth and controlled game which is magnified even more when considering he is usually the fastest player on the court. He can contort his body in many ways and still be in full control. Exum has even compared himself to a mixture of Russell Westbrook and Manu Ginobili and as weird as that sounds, it's a fairly decent comparison.

As for his intangibles, those can also be judged without depending on the level of play competition. In this age of technology, it doesn't take much to get yourself wrecked hard. One tiny incident can get blown out of proportion, and for young teenagers, that can be a nearly impossible task. Yet, Exum's report is clean and it's not like he's a new name in scouting circles. He has been making a name for himself ever since the FIBA U16 Championships in 2011 when he averaged 17.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, and 3.5 apg against top peers from all around the world. Along the way, he has done nothing to raise a red flag on his character, work ethic, or focus. Instead his leadership, ability to handle pressure and play well in the big tournaments has strengthened his resume. He's also rooted from great genetics and a strong family household. Based on the reports on him, Exum passes with flying colors.

Here are some quotes from Dante that give you a little personal insight to him.

"I'm ready for this situation and that's why I'm here. I've been away from home since I was 15 at a campus. It's kind of like college in a way. That taught me how to be a professional and how to handle myself in situations like this."

"The most important thing I've learned is what on the court gets you in the NBA and what off the court keeps you in the NBA. That's one thing I've taken very seriously. How I prepare for games, prepare for my workouts."

Leadership? This is just one small example, but it sheds some enlightenment on his personality and leadership mentality. I recently read this and was impressed.

Dante then was a 17-year-old point guard playing at the Adidas Nations Global Championship. He was just a month removed from playing in the final game of the FIBA Under-17 World Championship in Lithuania, where he was a force, averaging 17.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. He was skinny, but extremely long, resembling a 6-foot-4 Nicolas Batum. At Adidas Nations, Team Australia was getting demolished by a more talented American squad in the third-place game, but he still brought his fellow Aussies over for impromptu huddles to work harder on defense, even when their defeat was a foregone conclusion. He led by example, and on one possession, he pressured the backcourt and with his combination of length, anticipation, and pure speed was almost nonchalant in grabbing a steal. He was something special then, but tempering my enthusiasm was probably the way to go.

The Magic are building a culture of young, high potential, high character, high motor, and high work ethic guys who embrace the concept of TEAM. Can't think of many better fits for us than Exum even if you only looked at his intangibles.

DANTE EXUM Scouting Report Card:
Size: 9
Athleticism: 8
Coordination: 9
Intangibles: 9
Leadership: 9
Ball Handling:
Quickness:
Passing:
Free Throws:
Offense:
Defense:
Jump Shot:
NBA Ready:
Potential:

[Skin]

2) Basketball Skills (Irrelevant to Level of Competition)

Some skills can be evaluated fairly without a player having to be tested against college competition. We're talking about ball handling, speed/quickness, basketball IQ. There are no game stats for these, but again, high marks across the board for Exum.



His ball handling and quickness need no mention. They speak for themselves in anything you find on him.

Gauging IQ and court vision are a bit trickier, but yes, you can get a read on player's basketball IQ and court vision by evaluating his play on any level. It doesn't have to be in college. Having an NBA father raising him in the sport gives him an early heads up in terms of understanding the game. It's easy to see that he has the mentality for setting his teammates up, and that is a big key, but it's even better when he explains it himself.

"I'm a point guard," Exum said. "I like to lead a team. I've been put into position on all the teams I've been (on) to lead by example, on and off the floor. I'm a player that likes to beat a man off the dribble and make the defense have to help and open up players. I think that's where I excel in my game."

At the Draft Combine, Exum expressed just how much his game has evolved and that he feels he will end up being a point guard in the NBA.

“I'm a get-to-the-rim type of player and I beat my man off the dribble and try to draw help to find open players. I guess that's what puts me in a good position to be a point guard."

As much excitement and upside that Exum has as an NBA PG, there is no doubt that he will be in for a harsh reality check when he gets to the NBA. I fully expect him to take his lumps and the Magic to suffer along the way. That said, I think that he has a strong supporting cast here with a coach who was a former PG and a friend in Oladipo who had to learn on the fly himself this past season. ...and who knows? Maybe Jameer is still around as well.

Free Throw shooting is a skill can be judged on an individual basis (separate from level of competition) and this is a huge concern of his right now. Not trying to sugar coat anything here. His form and concentration are not terrible, but they need more work for him to establish consistency. Especially since he gets to the line so frequently and isn't afraid of contact.

In last summer's FIBA U19 World Championships, Exum averaged a very high 7.2 fouls drawn per game. He also likes to post up smaller guards when possible, creating nightmare matchups, but he'll need to bulk up to face stronger NBA point guards.

60% isn't going to cut it buddy boy. That said he did shoot 12 of 13 in his big game against Spain.

DANTE EXUM Scouting Report Card:
Size: 9
Athleticism: 8
Coordination: 9
Intangibles: 9
Leadership: 8
Ball Handling: 9
Quickness: 9
Passing: 7
Free Throws: 6
Offense:
Defense:
Jump Shot:
Rebounding:
NBA Ready:
Potential:

[Skin]

3) Game Statistics - Get what you can get!



We will never be able to judge Exum against NCAA competition, but we have seen him against NCAA players. So there's some film to go off of even if it's not 30+ games worth. That said, whenever he's had the chance, Exum has not disappointed. His consistency at playing at a high level has showed the maturity in his game and the preparation he's put in behind the scenes.

Link to his FIBA Tournament Results going back to 2011.
http://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/pl ... index.html

Let's not take my word for it, but let's see what others have to say.

Offensive Breakdown:

Exum is a crafty scorer who loves getting to the basket-all of the game tape on Exum shows that more than anything else. He can muscle past smaller guards or blow by bigger ones, and he's got great upper body control to maneuver as he gets to the basket.

The best part about his driving game is he isn't afraid of contact; in last summer's FIBA U19 World Championships, Exum averaged a very high 7.2 fouls drawn per game. He also likes to post up smaller guards when possible, creating nightmare matchups, but he'll need to bulk up to face stronger NBA point guards.

As a shooter, Exum is solid but still needs work. He shot 33.3% from three in the FIBA U19 Championships, and as the tournament went on he started taking too many (in his final contest against Lithuania, he was 2/10). Also a concern was his free-throw shooting; an below-average 60.9%. Still, given his age and general scoring instincts, nothing in his offensive game is overly concerning. When he gains consistent range out to the three point line, he could become a scoring star.

Exum is a true combo guard. His first instinct is to create for himself, but it isn't to a concerning level. He's more than a capable passer, and he actively looks for his teammates. He averaged 5.1 assists per 40 minutes at the FIBA U19 Championships, and showed solid court awareness. More concerning was his 2.3 turnover average in 29 minutes; he may be crafty and quick, but he'll need to learn to reign himself in a bit against better NBA defenders.

The biggest misconception for Exum is his total vertical athleticism. He's not the most explosive player, and he measured a solid-if-unspectacular 34.5 inch max vertical leap at the combine. For comparison numbers only, those are similar results to Tyreke Evans, Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner.

Where Exum is explosive is in his speed - his 3.19 three quarter sprint test and his 10.75 lane agility test were near the tops of the class. In his limited tape, you can see his two biggest weapons are his size and his speed-he's excellent at using both to get past defenders. Exum would come into the NBA as a very solid shooting guard, but as a point guard he's got fantastic measurements.

Defensive Breakdown:

On defense, Exum's length, size and speed are again his best weapons. Nothing on his tape shows a lazy defender, and his solid basketball IQ helps him stay on top of the defense most of the time. He averaged a very nice 1.7 steals a contest in the FIBA U19s, thanks to his quick instincts and long arms. Exum is also an above average rebounder for his size on both ends of the court, due to his long arms and size advantages, and shows good awareness off the glass.

Defensively is where his lack of strength will become a concern, and he'll need to bulk up or face many stronger SGs ready to post him up. It'll likely take him a few years to grow into his NBA body, and my guess is it'll take a bit longer for Exum to get comfortable defensively than offensively. Still, there are no serious concerns other than his strength, and certainly nothing that will knock him out of a top selection.

http://www.sactownroyalty.com/2014/5/22 ... dante-exum


DANTE EXUM Scouting Report Card:
Size: 9
Athleticism: 8
Coordination: 9
Intangibles: 9
Leadership: 8
Ball Handling: 9
Quickness: 9
Passing: 7
Free Throws: 6
Offense: 7
Defense: 7
Jump Shot: 7
Rebounding: 8
NBA Ready: 7
Potential: 10


Dante is not a flawless prospect and he has a lot of room to grow. I feel these grades are fair at this point but I also feel like the sky is his limit.

[Skin]

4) DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

It goes without saying that the better you know the player, the more comfortable you will be in making a decision to take him or not to take him. Kudos to the Magic for doing their due dilligence. This has really been a major difference now compared to the Otis Smith era. While Otis frivolously gave away draft picks and showed bare minimum effort towards the draft, Hennigan and company have been shrewed and savvy in their approach. Valuing picks and making the most of them. Totally refreshing. So how have they been tracking Exum?

The Magic have been eyeing Exum for a while, with their Assistant GM Matt Lloyd being in attendance last summer in Prague during the U19 World Championship. Lloyd was one of the few high level executives in attendance to scout him.

Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress claims that the Magic have done more research into Exum's background than any other team.

Orlando Magic executives and coaches interviewed Exum at the Draft Combine and will likely invite him to Florida for an additional workout and interviews just prior to the draft.

‘‘Now that the puzzle is set you have a much better idea of the types of guys who may or may not be in your range," Magic general manager Rob Hennigan said. "Now, we can game plan accordingly.’’

Considering the amount of work and effort that the Magic have done on Exum and continue to do on him, I will fully be on board whoever they choose to draft. If they choose to draft him, they know what they are getting. If they choose not to then there must be a damn good reason or reasons. Questioning his level of competition is a fair point, but NBA teams have done it successfully in the past and if the Magic do their homework, they will be able to look past that to see the player that he is and the player he can become.

[Grants Goggles]

Great work, Skin! that's quite an overview you mad.

Anyway I too trust that Hennigan and co. will have done their homework when draf day's here.

[Pipp33]

Great work, Skin! that's quite an overview you mad.

Anyway I too trust that Hennigan and co. will have done their homework when draf day's here.

I agree, Great work Skin!!

Any team seriously looking at drafting Exum will have completed a multitude of reviews of all aspects of his game. There is no concrete evidence that any of the top draft picks will be better than the other, but all the team can do is have faith in their research and workout/interviews.
I love Smart. I think he will be a very good player and really love his determination, but I'm in Exums corner for the higher draft pick and don't give a sh@t if he hasn't played NCAA ball

[KillMonger]

Great job.....we must be interested if we did more research on him than any other team

[MagicStarwipe]

Dude is no rake and he's still only 18. He could beast NBA point guards as early as his rookie season. Definitely looks like a guy that will have a strong body once he's fully physically mature.

[Truth24]

I can understand question the level of talent he has played against and it is a fair knock on him; but it was also a knock on Giannis. I'm not saying that Exum will turn out like Giannis but I really don't put much into level of talent if our scouts and GM believe he has the talent to play in the NBA.

[Nyce_1]

Skin, nyce posts.

As for comparisons, what would you guys say to a bigger Tony Parker? Not the Sexy athletic ability of Rose, Westbrook, wall, but seems to have that sneaky quickness to blow by defenders like TP for easy layups, kick-outs, or simple drops for the rolling man.

[Melvinlocker]

I remember watching that 30/30 show on the Bad Boys Pistons. Isaiah and Laimbeer were not good friends. They didn't hang out or had anything personally in common with the exception that they were super intense competitors. They both wanted to win at all costs. That was it. They both admit it. Heck, they left each other on bad notes. Isaiah punching Laimbeer. But, they respected the hell out of each other and would go to war for each other. This is what I want. Intense competitors who battle to the end. This is why I like players like Smart and Randle. True heart and hustle win at all costs type of players. This is why someone like Randle can lead a team to the finals. May not be the best player, but does all that he can to play on a championship team.

What championship big man does Randle remind you of?

[Melvinlocker]

Great work Skin!

[B-easy]

Anyone else think he looks like Kobe?

[Grants Goggles]

Anyone else think he looks like Kobe?

In terms of frame, sure. Kobe had elite explosiveness at that age, of course.

I also believe kobe has a 6'11" wingspan and 8'9" reach, versus Exum's 6'9.5" & 8'7", respectively.

[Rico750]

Awesome post, really enjoyed reading.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

[cedric76]

Great post skin

I think we can't go wrong with either smart or exum

If we draft a pg at #4 we need to move up using #12+AA and other assets

[Skin]

Thanks for the comments guys! If interested, here's a rare video of Exum that I found interesting to get to know him on a personal level. He has a twin sister. heh. They aren't youtube clips so I couldn't embed them. Sorry.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/baske ... It4lm6QJPf

Also, I couldn't help but notice the name Matthew Dellavedova mentioned in that article. The Aussie that the Magic drafted in the 2nd round last year surprising a lot of people. I really wonder if he was the byproduct of our scouting efforts in Australia that attracted us there in the first place to scout Exum.