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Why is this guy starting? I am not impressed with him at all. He should be coming off the bench.

better question why is he on the team, the nba has changed you cannot afford having a player in the starting lineup just for defense this is not 1990

a-rod wrote:better question why is he on the team, the nba has changed you cannot afford having a player in the starting lineup just for defense this is not 1990

That's not really true. The issue isn't that he sucks offensively. It's that he sucks and plays like he doesn't suck. He needs to never shoot ever. What he needs to do is handle it a little if necessary and learn to move well off the ball to utilize his finishing ability, and then focus purely on defense.

pillwenney wrote:

a-rod wrote:better question why is he on the team, the nba has changed you cannot afford having a player in the starting lineup just for defense this is not 1990

That's not really true. The issue isn't that he sucks offensively. It's that he sucks and plays like he doesn't suck. He needs to never shoot ever. What he needs to do is handle it a little if necessary and learn to move well off the ball to utilize his finishing ability, and then focus purely on defense.

The problem is he's a young player fighting for a contract, and like a young player fighting for a contract, he wants the stats to make the $$$. Unfortunately, we have too many players like that right now.

He doesn't suck, needs to find his role too bad Smart is his coach. Might be tough for him and everyone.

I'm not worried about JJ. In the NBA, the cream rises to the top. JJ will figure out that he's garbage off the dribble and stick to spot shooting/cutting/defense. The ball will eventually be in the hands of the right playmakers, which for this team is Evans, Cousins and IT.

The most worrying trend about the season thus far has been Cousins' offense. He couldn't get anything done consistently in any of the three games. He severely needs to improve that post game or he'll never be #1 option material.

I think the problem is the composition of the starting lineup. There just aren't enough shooters on the floor with Evans and JJ. Add in the fact that Isaiah is struggling and you have our offensive struggles. I would play with starting brooks and maybe even francisco. JJ would be better suited for the second unit.

a-rod wrote:better question why is he on the team, the nba has changed you cannot afford having a player in the starting lineup just for defense this is not 1990

Tony Allen, Thabo? Half the centers in the league just play defense.
I'm fine with JJ just focusing on defense as long as he doesn't force the ball on offense.

ADoaN17 wrote:

a-rod wrote:better question why is he on the team, the nba has changed you cannot afford having a player in the starting lineup just for defense this is not 1990

Tony Allen, Thabo? Half the centers in the league just play defense.
I'm fine with JJ just focusing on defense as long as he doesn't force the ball on offense.

Exactly, offensively he just needs to focus on crashing the offensive boards because him standing on the outside shooting jumpers especially threes or dribbling is just trouble for us.

We had so many discussions like this on the Raptors forum the last 2 years.

I can say that JJ did in fact start to get it middle of last year. Started to change my opinion of him. It just takes a strong coach to enforce his role, and you need clear number 1 and 2 options to keep him in line too. He can finish well in the paint.

He was working on his shot quite a bit last year and his catch and shoot game was improving. If he has time to think about the shot he fails. And when he tries to do too much with the ball he turns it over a lot. But in transition, in open space his handles are a nice plus.

How is his conditioning. Last year he came into camp in great shape.

If he doesn't show some improvement quick they need to send him to the bench. With our 0-3 start something has to be changed.

kevin44 wrote:If he doesn't show some improvement quick they need to send him to the bench. With our 0-3 start something has to be changed.

It's not just JJ's fault tho. Our frontcourt is shooing 39% combined and IT hasn't ran the offense well.

Edit

Edit

Can a mod delete these post? My phone went crazy.

at first i was optimistic about him since i heard about his stellar defense and that hes been working on his shot. but seriously after 3 games ive concluded that he's purely garbage. there is a reason we got him for as second rounder. and his defense really isn't that great to make up for his horrible offense and basketball IQ. seeing him on the basketball court actually hurts me. i actually liked him more as playing the 4 during the pacers game so personally he should fall behind JT, Cuz, Robinson and Hayes at the position.

centers are whole different story. let me be more specific. what i was trying to say, i don't think you can run successful offense when you have 2 wing player in the starting lineup they cant hit wide open jumpers.

ADoaN17 wrote:

a-rod wrote:better question why is he on the team, the nba has changed you cannot afford having a player in the starting lineup just for defense this is not 1990

Tony Allen, Thabo? Half the centers in the league just play defense.
I'm fine with JJ just focusing on defense as long as he doesn't force the ball on offense.

to be fair JJ is neither allen or sefolosha on defense haha
i wish he was..

He is a big body...that is it.

I see him trying hard, but if he continues to start & play like he is it's going to be a long season.