Dante Exum: How good can he be?

[sfernald]

Said it from day 1, this kid has the boyish good looks that all NBA superstar guards tend to have, just like Kobe and Wade have. He has the name that flows right off the tongue. Kobe, Wade, Exum. Lightning first step, great handles and height. This guy has superstar written all over him.

I mean I'm a big Jazz fan, but I'm loving that we are calling him a star based on one summer league game and how his name sounds.

I mean I have watched so much basketball for so many years it is silly. I am seeing the same thing these other realgmers are: that Dante has the potential to be among the best of the best in a few years, absolute stud, perhaps even top 10 player.

[Kabookalu]

Isn't Kentavious Caldwell-Pope lighting up summer league? That doesn't mean he'll ever come close to being a superstar.

Stats aren't the reason why people are excited about Exum after today as he only scored 10 points on 4/10 shooting.

[GallagherArt]

I honestly can't tell whom is being sarcastic and which responses are in jest to those that are being serious, this is a weird thread to me. I love what I saw of Exum myself, but Jesus...

[Liver_Pooty]

Said it from day 1, this kid has the boyish good looks that all NBA superstar guards tend to have, just like Kobe and Wade have. He has the name that flows right off the tongue. Kobe, Wade, Exum. Lightning first step, great handles and height. This guy has superstar written all over him.

You sound like hes trying to be a professional wrestler with the good looks and good name.

[SmoothKobra]

He was certainly better than I thought. I wonder how he fits next to Burke long term since they are both PGs?

[boredfan]

Isn't Kentavious Caldwell-Pope lighting up summer league? That doesn't mean he'll ever come close to being a superstar.

Stats aren't the reason why people are excited about Exum after today as he only scored 10 points on 4/10 shooting.

Still it's the summer league, and I have little doubt that Exum at worst has a decent career. It still is only one game.

[Spalato]

As an Aussie I'm so happy he looks the goods.

But what's so exciting about him is his combination of freak athleticism (huge upside), work ethic, and levelheadedness. Such a rare combination.

He's got superstar written all over him, including the name. Superstardom is his destiny. But it's up to him to take it. It's only up to him if he wants it or not.

[Xsy]

Not sure how to feel about the Burke/Exum combo. I wanna give them a chance to gel before I really start forming an opinion, but initial impressions aren't sitting well with me.

[RnB]

If the scouts got one thing right its that first step. Holy sh**t. People talk about having "lightning first steps" but damn.. that boy is QUICK.

[Manuel Calavera]

Said it from day 1, this kid has the boyish good looks that all NBA superstar guards tend to have, just like Kobe and Wade have. He has the name that flows right off the tongue. Kobe, Wade, Exum. Lightning first step, great handles and height. This guy has superstar written all over him.

[Mirjalovic]

his first step is amazing. with that alone he should be a star in this L.

[AussieBuck]

At least 2 teams are going to regret not drafting him.

[GimmeDat]

I think he'll benefit from playing alongside Trey in the first few years while he tightens up his handle and PG skills, but yeah, he looked great today.

The box score isn't great, and he's going to have to develop his jumpshot to be a player in this league, but all the potential was on show today.

[GallagherArt]

his first step is amazing. with that alone he should be a star in this L.

Cracked the code, now we can find all the stars.

[durden_tyler]

Orlando should have drafted him methinks.

[kobe_vs_jordan]

I mean in the West, can you imagine him defending any of these guys?

Tony Parker
Chris Paul
Goran Dragic
Eric Bledsoe
Russell Westbrook
Reggie Jackson
Damian Lillard
Stephen Curry
Jrue Holiday
Ty Lawson
Mike Conley Jr.
Ricky Rubio (whoops my bad, yeah he can guard him)

Why not? He has a height, reach, and/or quickness advantage over all those guys? The potentially is definitely there.

[WhatsaTDot]

On a scale of 1 to Bruno Cabloco?

Probably an 8.

[majortom71]

Orlando should have drafted him methinks.

I think if they had 1 pick only that would be a possibility.
But I believethey saw that Payton could be a very good pg and they wanted to get one of the top bigs first since the other PGs were easier to obtain with their 2nd pick.
Who really knows why, but let's see how this first year works out for all of them to better assess this.

I am guessing with Burke, Exum will be more of a scoring guard and Burke the play maker for the Jazz, otherwise they may put Burke on the trading block for other needed positions?

[76ciology]

Larry Hughes? Taller Tony Parker? But definitely just all-star max ceiling.

[rumdiary]

Said it from day 1, this kid has the boyish good looks that all NBA superstar guards tend to have, just like Kobe and Wade have. He has the name that flows right off the tongue. Kobe, Wade, Exum. Lightning first step, great handles and height. This guy has superstar written all over him.

I think this post is more insightful than most people think. A lot of people here are mocking the post, but marketability is a *very* important factor in the whether a player can be a superstar. You get a brand like Adidas behind you and they'll push the NBA to give you air time.

Dante's already backing it up with demonstrable skill and athleticism. From the TV footage it looks like a young Kobe Bryant is running up and down the court.

"It's only Summer League", but there are plenty of things that point to Dante Exum being a superstar, if you can't understand that then you're lacking some insight.