Jock Landale news, discussion and highlights

RedIndian · Post #1 » by **RedIndian** » Sun Jul 3, 2022 7:51 am

So, I found this gem of a thread on Jock Landale on the Spurs board. Extremely detailed and promising breakdown of his game.

Looks like we're getting a diamond in the rough, someone who can possibly even be a solid starting level C.

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=2207011

Mulhollanddrive · Post #2 » by **Mulhollanddrive** » Sun Jul 3, 2022 8:03 am

I've watched him at the Olympics for Australia for a while, he's got good skills but very limited athleticism to play NBA defense. If we get a starting Center, he'd be a free hit as 3rd option.

RedIndian · Post #3 » by **RedIndian** » Sun Jul 3, 2022 8:08 am

Just to add some of my thoughts:

1. Our primary defensive coverage in the regular season, as well as against all the traditional playoff teams (who play with a traditional C) will be drop coverage. For that, we need a guy who understands angles, positioning and verticality without fouling on D, and is strong, tough and long enough to battle with other bigmen. Landale seems to tick all these boxes - not at the level of an Ayton, but maybe at the level of a Poeltl or a Horford.

On offense, since we're so pick and roll heavy, we need our C to set hundreds of screens, understand angles, make DHO plays, make smart reads off short rolls, crash the offensive glass and finish basic plays. Looks like Landale does all of this already at a high level.

2. Given that, I wouldn't be surprised if Landale ends up being our starting C on a 25-28 min role. I do not think Biyombo can play this role simply because he's offensively challenged, and not at all a good passer or free throw shooter. I think Biyombo's biggest asset is the ability to move his feet - I thought he was as good as DA. So when we want to trap or play defense at the level of the screen, that's when we use Biyombo.

3. I expect therefore that our C rotation (unless there are further trades or signings to be made) will be that Landale gets the starting role playin 25 mins (or more) as the primary drop defender. He'll play most of the regular season, and against any of the playoff teams with traditional lineups (say the Wolves, Pels, Grizzlies, Nuggets, Blazers). Biyombo will get the 15-20 min role of playing aggressive trap defense when we really want to contain penetration. Against teams like the Clips, Mavs or Warriors, I think we'll probably end up going fully small with Crowder (if we keep him) or somebody like Ish at C and KD at the 4.

RedIndian · Post #4 » by **RedIndian** » Sun Jul 3, 2022 8:12 am

Mulhollanddrive wrote:I've watched him at the Olympics for Australia for a while, he's got good skills but very limited athleticism to play NBA defense. If we get a starting Center, he'd be a free hit as 3rd option.

90% of drop defenders get played off the floor the further you go in the playoffs. I mean there were times when you wouldn't want even Ayton on the floor, especially against teams like the Warriors, Clips or Mavs.

There is however a role for drop defenders against traditional teams - and there are a LOT of them - Wolves, Pels, Nuggets, Bucks, Blazers.

Mulhollanddrive · Post #5 » by **Mulhollanddrive** » Sun Jul 3, 2022 8:35 am

He essentially replaces Saric if he's traded in the Durant deal at 20% the price.

dremill24 · Post #6 » by **dremill24** » Sun Jul 3, 2022 4:17 pm

RedIndian wrote:Just to add some of my thoughts:

1. Our primary defensive coverage in the regular season, as well as against all the traditional playoff teams (who play with a traditional C) will be drop coverage. For that, we need a guy who understands angles, positioning and verticality without fouling on D, and is strong, tough and long enough to battle with other bigmen. Landale seems to tick all these boxes - not at the level of an Ayton, but maybe at the level of a Poeltl or a Horford.

Poeltl and Horford are better than Ayton at this so if he's not even on Ayton's level then Im not sure its a selling point.

Post #7 » by **lilfishi22** » Sun Jul 3, 2022 11:59 pm

I don't know much about the guy other than watching him during the Olympics and watching him play here and there for the Spurs. I don't think he's particularly good but as an Aussie, I will root for the guy

Frank Lee · Post #8 » by **Frank Lee** » Thu Jul 7, 2022 2:07 am

The half fullers already have him starting…. But as much by default as talent

Fo-Real · Post #9 » by **Fo-Real** » Thu Jul 7, 2022 1:42 pm

Frank Lee wrote:The half fullers already have him starting…. But as much by default as talent

Im not looking for "pleasantly suprised" as the upside to a guy we sign to play major minutes like people are hyping him.

WeekapaugGroove · Post #10 » by **WeekapaugGroove** » Thu Jul 7, 2022 2:28 pm

Fo-Real wrote:
Frank Lee wrote:The half fullers already have him starting…. But as much by default as talent

Im not looking for "pleasantly suprised" as the upside to a guy we sign to play major minutes like people are hyping him.

Are there any examples of posters who think he's anything more than like a 10th man type?

Like I'm somewhat intrigued by his skill set but I think he's basically Franks replacement as first guy to fill in if a rotation big is hurt. And for that role I think he's a worthwhile flyer with some upside.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

timetoshinebaby · Post #11 » by **timetoshinebaby** » Fri Jul 8, 2022 1:28 pm

You've got to give him a fair shake of the sauce bottle before you guys get hating on him.

Ghost of Kleine · Post #12 » by **Ghost of Kleine** » Fri Jul 8, 2022 3:26 pm

To me personally, from what I've seen of him, He's a decent yet uninspiring energy big with some reasonable defensive potential. Maybe a slightly thicker more mobile Jake Voskuhl perhaps? But IF he's our starting center this year, then we're a lottery team for sure! No offense to the guy as he'll be liked here for his effort and propensity to dunk. But he'll get burned on defense too often and is at best a 3rd rotation big IF he can find a way to consistently space the floor. :nod:

I am intruiged by Bobby Ls' idea of bringing in Aaron Baynes once again to try him out and see if he's got anything left in the tank. :nod:

Fo-Real · Post #13 » by **Fo-Real** » Fri Jul 8, 2022 4:28 pm

Not saying this dude is anything or not but looking into him more, I think his floor is at least "SOLID BIG". He is skilled, smart and has good touch. He isn't athletic but he plays like a big. His athleticism may uptick a little this year because he played last season heavier than usual coming off of injury and covid, never getting much opportunity to play himself into shape.

Post #14 » by **bwgood77** » Fri Jul 8, 2022 11:07 pm

Yeah, he probably has a skill set similar to Frank's. Can pass, board ok, MAYBE shoot the 3...a little under 33%.

Instead of Frank the Tank we can call him Jock the Rock.

RedIndian · Post #15 » by **RedIndian** » Mon Jul 11, 2022 6:30 am

If we trade Ayton, and don't get a C to replace him, my prediction is that he'll play a fair bit.

matt131 · Post #16 » by **matt131** » Mon Jul 18, 2022 5:06 am

Yes, these are just highlights, which typically look good for any player, but I definitely like what I see. Rebounds very well and is a big, strong body. For as lumbering as he may be, there are some good highlights of him running the floor well. On top of that, he can catch a pass on the run, take a dribble, and finish with a dunk. That's something Dario can't do and Baynes never could. So he's a better athlete in that sense. His three point stroke honestly looks pretty good. It's relatively quick for a big guy as well. I imagine he'll be used in strategic ways or for certain matchups only, but in case of injuries, he definitely looks like he can hold down the fort for a few games or so.

Watch on YouTube

Post #17 » by **bwgood77** » Thu Oct 27, 2022 4:19 am

Since James Jones doesn't do any scouting, this is probably when Jock got on their radar. Found in a GB thread from the summer viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2206996&p=100024975

Watch on YouTube

Mulhollanddrive · Post #18 » by **Mulhollanddrive** » Thu Oct 27, 2022 5:06 am

He looks like he'll be a very good player for us in the regular season, I most like the space he opens up for Payne.

His impact in playoffs will be if he can defend 1 on 1 when targetted.

Thor Buthox · Post #19 » by **Thor Buthox** » Thu Oct 27, 2022 10:03 am

He's self-aware.

Doesn't rely on natural anything like McGee did with natural athleticism, so will always work his ass off every game, which makes him the type of player you want coming off the bench.

Fo-Real · Post #20 » by **Fo-Real** » Thu Oct 27, 2022 3:03 pm

Fo-Real wrote:Not saying this dude is anything or not but looking into him more, I think his floor is at least "SOLID BIG". He is skilled, smart and has good touch. He isn't athletic but he plays like a big. His athleticism may uptick a little this year because he played last season heavier than usual coming off of injury and covid, never getting much opportunity to play himself into shape.

I never toot my own horn. :lol: