Duke4life831 wrote:jman3134 wrote:Duke4life831 wrote:I know its just 1 game, but I really dont get how anyone could have watched Ivey in college and then in this game and think he is the next Ja and should play PG. He really has no facilitating skills to speak of.
Which is why I think going to Detroit was one of the best places for him to land. There is no way Detroit will try and hand him the offense over Cade. Since he gets to play next to Cade, he will get to be the secondary ball handler and focus on his scoring and not have to worry about trying to get others involved.
I disagree. He makes the right pass more often than not, but he gets up in the air far too frequently and doesn't pass people open like Ja. He's no Ja Morant. The comparison was always on burst and raw athleticism. Both shoot set shots and aren't great shooters. They're very different defensively, and Ivey does not have the same vision or IQ.
He sat out what felt like an eternity. But, this whole game feels like that.
He was the lead ball handler for Purdue and he averaged 2.9 assists per game this past year in conference play. The only reason he gets assists is because of how much he has the ball in his hands. How often he is out of control, gets caught up in the air, and just how often he is sped up. There is just no floor general aspect to his game at all.
Also dont get me wrong, this isnt me hating on Ivey. Ive been high on him for a very long time, I had him top 5 on my very first board for this year's class and he never really left my top 5. But trying to have him play PG is just trying to force a square peg in a round hole. Its not his game. He is just a flat out scorer. That is why I think him in Detroit is a great place for him. He's never going to be asked to be the primary facilitator. He gets to most likely be the secondary ball handler and gets to focus on just getting his own. That is what he is best at.
In the scouting report I did of Ivey before he broke out in the NCAA tournament his freshman year, I pulled together about 5 passing clips towards the very end.
http://jtmbasketball.blogspot.com/2021/03/one-and-done-case-for-jaden-iveys.htmlAt least two of those were very solid passes. I don't think his issue is an inability or unwillingness to find teammates. He does facilitate for them. The issue is moreso his technique while facilitating. As you said, he jumps in the air giving up his dribble. He needs to learn how to play off two feet.
The shooting stroke is still very much a work in progress to put it kindly. I was not impressed by his performance tonight, though he got to the basket and flashed his athleticism. He started out with a flashy lob pass, but forced a few threes and did not play under control. Whether he is a traditional point guard, a shooting guard, or a hybrid, I just know that he is a basketball player with the ability to operate in P&R. In terms of someone who settles in the offense, it is true that Jaden needs to play more under control.
