Official Jamal Shead Thread

[LoveMyRaps]

The front office raved about Jamal's leadership ability over the summer and how he held a training camp at his place in Houston. Bear in mind, he's only 23, yet has veteran like qualities and that's something you can't teach.

He's slowly becoming the heart & soul of this team. The energizer bunny. The teammate that uplifts everyone, brings everyone together, and keeps everyone level headed.

You can see how much the guys love him and for that, the fans love him even more.

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[LLJ]

Shead's ceiling depends on his outside jumpshot. His shooting well in low attempts right now so he's a very effective backup, but he'll need to show he can make shots in volume if he wants to one day be a starter.

Other than that, he might be the smartest guy on the team bball IQ wise along with Barnes.

[MEDIC]

Fred & Kyle didn't make an allstar game until they were 27-28 years old. Jamal has some time to figure it out. I think he is going to be a much better PG than Quick.

At 23 yo, Freds per 36 stats were actually better. Kyle's were worse. Of course, Jamal is ahead of both of them from an assist standpoint. Hopefully he can keep it up.

[WuTang_CMB]

He's a bullet when he has the ball and gets into the lane. If the shot becomes real, he will be an amazing pick up.

the high character also adds to his value.

nice find in 2nd round

[mdenny]

Fred was about getting his own stats first. Shead is a much more unselfish player. He tries to get others involved before himself.

I think Shead's mentality and playing style is closer to Lowry.

Fred was extremely unselfish in his bench mob days in the 2017-2018 season. The ball movement, chemistry etc. with that unit was some of the best basketball I've seen as a Raptor.

Also, I think you are forgetting that Lowry was a bit of ball dominant player his first few seasons with us until we revamped our play style in 2016 under the tutelage of Nurse. It was a lot of Demar iso and then Lowry iso. Lowry really improved as a facilitator and floor general over the years.

I actually think that as a leader and teammate, Shead seems much more mature at such a young age compared to both Kyle and Fred at the same age. Obviously we'll see if his play can match his leadership.

The idea FVV was about his own stats first is such lazy analysis to. FVV just got the typical starting PG hate that every PG we ever had got (including pre-2019 Lowry, and current IQ). If Shead ever progresses to starter, the same thing will happen to him

Big fan of Shead though. He is just another great find by the FO in the Lowry-->FVV-->Shead mold. These guys for some reason are devalued throughout the NBA and then they just end up being winners despite their size limitations.

Everything about shead screams FVV to me. Even his assists are moreso in the Fred style. Kyle always made more risky passes that resulted in easy buckets. Fred made much more conservative passes that resulted in less easy buckets. Both styles are fine and come with their own ramnifications. The fred approach is always gonna have a higher assist-to-turnover ration. But the kyle approach has a higher ceiling in game impact. The main difference would be Kyle COULD play the fred style if he wanted to whereas Fred just isnt skilled enough to play the kyle style while remaining a valid starter. Thus....kyle a more valuable asset, more money, more personal achievements.

I don't see Shead making THOSE types of kyle passes. He makes the high percentage fred plays. Nothing flashy. If he could somehow make a leap in 3 point shooting during an offseason....then he can potentially be a starting PG. He's already an elite backup imo.

One thing i was thinking....assuming full health....we now have the option of going offense/defense in the final minutes, rotating Poetl and Shead in close games. For a bunch of reasons: would help prevent having Poetl shoot free throws in clutch time, can help unclog the paint for ingram, scotty and rj via floorspacing. Plus you don't live and die by stoppages because Shead is still a good defender and Poetl still useful on offense. Neither are one-dimensional like some offense/defense guys (ie lou williams) where you depend on stoppages. But during stoppages as they happen? Hard to argue against at least trying it in prepping for the spring.

That option wasnt in the cards before so that seems exciting.

One thibg i've noticed the past 3 to 4 years as there's less and less traditional point guards....as soon as the playoffs start....teams realize that they don't have guys who can reliably get the ball up the floor under ball pressure. And they end up having to play one of their more mediocre 3rd string guys JUST to fill that role.

The way the regular season is played covers up the inability to get the ball to center court in an orderly and timely fashion because there's no ball pressure. The timberwolves designed their team on that trend.

So i kinda love the fact that we have so much of that. This might be the best ball handling rosters we've ever had. Rj, ingram, scotty are all average to above average in ballhandling relative to their position/role. So adding Shead to the mix furthers that strength compared to the days of Ibaka, OG, Norm, Trent, Boucher, precious. Some of whom were great players in their role....but overall ballhandling always seemed to be a problem. Even the addition of Mamu helps....he's got a great handle relative to his position too.

[gp2015]

Fred was about getting his own stats first. Shead is a much more unselfish player. He tries to get others involved before himself.

I think Shead's mentality and playing style is closer to Lowry.

Fred was extremely unselfish in his bench mob days in the 2017-2018 season. The ball movement, chemistry etc. with that unit was some of the best basketball I've seen as a Raptor.

Also, I think you are forgetting that Lowry was a bit of ball dominant player his first few seasons with us until we revamped our play style in 2016 under the tutelage of Nurse. It was a lot of Demar iso and then Lowry iso. Lowry really improved as a facilitator and floor general over the years.

I actually think that as a leader and teammate, Shead seems much more mature at such a young age compared to both Kyle and Fred at the same age. Obviously we'll see if his play can match his leadership.

The idea FVV was about his own stats first is such lazy analysis to. FVV just got the typical starting PG hate that every PG we ever had got (including pre-2019 Lowry, and current IQ). If Shead ever progresses to starter, the same thing will happen to him

Big fan of Shead though. He is just another great find by the FO in the Lowry-->FVV-->Shead mold. These guys for some reason are devalued throughout the NBA and then they just end up being winners despite their size limitations.

Being ball dominant, while taking a bunch of shots, shooting under 40% and getting continually blocked at the basket.

What's there not to like?

If Shead continues to be a pass first guard, play hard defence, continues working on his shot and tries to get his teammates involved (which was not Fred's priority later on in his time here), then no one is going to hate on Shead.

Yes some of the blame goes to Nurse who loved to ISO both Fred and Pascal.

Fred was a shooting guard playing point guard. He never had a pass first mentality like Shead does.

[YogurtProducer]

Fred was extremely unselfish in his bench mob days in the 2017-2018 season. The ball movement, chemistry etc. with that unit was some of the best basketball I've seen as a Raptor.

Also, I think you are forgetting that Lowry was a bit of ball dominant player his first few seasons with us until we revamped our play style in 2016 under the tutelage of Nurse. It was a lot of Demar iso and then Lowry iso. Lowry really improved as a facilitator and floor general over the years.

I actually think that as a leader and teammate, Shead seems much more mature at such a young age compared to both Kyle and Fred at the same age. Obviously we'll see if his play can match his leadership.

The idea FVV was about his own stats first is such lazy analysis to. FVV just got the typical starting PG hate that every PG we ever had got (including pre-2019 Lowry, and current IQ). If Shead ever progresses to starter, the same thing will happen to him

Big fan of Shead though. He is just another great find by the FO in the Lowry-->FVV-->Shead mold. These guys for some reason are devalued throughout the NBA and then they just end up being winners despite their size limitations.

Being ball dominant, while taking a bunch of shots, shooting under 40% and getting continually blocked at the basket.

What's there not to like?

If Shead continues to be a pass first guard, play hard defence, continues working on his shot and tries to get his teammates involved (which was not Fred's priority later on in his time here), then no one is going to hate on Shead.

Yes some of the blame goes to Nurse who loved to ISO both Fred and Pascal.

Fred was a shooting guard playing point guard. He never had a pass first mentality like Shead does.

Not getting into a FVV convo again, but this is utterly lazy analysis.

[gp2015]

The idea FVV was about his own stats first is such lazy analysis to. FVV just got the typical starting PG hate that every PG we ever had got (including pre-2019 Lowry, and current IQ). If Shead ever progresses to starter, the same thing will happen to him

Big fan of Shead though. He is just another great find by the FO in the Lowry-->FVV-->Shead mold. These guys for some reason are devalued throughout the NBA and then they just end up being winners despite their size limitations.

Being ball dominant, while taking a bunch of shots, shooting under 40% and getting continually blocked at the basket.

What's there not to like?

If Shead continues to be a pass first guard, play hard defence, continues working on his shot and tries to get his teammates involved (which was not Fred's priority later on in his time here), then no one is going to hate on Shead.

Yes some of the blame goes to Nurse who loved to ISO both Fred and Pascal.

Fred was a shooting guard playing point guard. He never had a pass first mentality like Shead does.

Not getting into a FVV convo again, but this is utterly lazy analysis.

I can say the same about your comments.

[nikster]

Fred was extremely unselfish in his bench mob days in the 2017-2018 season. The ball movement, chemistry etc. with that unit was some of the best basketball I've seen as a Raptor.

Also, I think you are forgetting that Lowry was a bit of ball dominant player his first few seasons with us until we revamped our play style in 2016 under the tutelage of Nurse. It was a lot of Demar iso and then Lowry iso. Lowry really improved as a facilitator and floor general over the years.

I actually think that as a leader and teammate, Shead seems much more mature at such a young age compared to both Kyle and Fred at the same age. Obviously we'll see if his play can match his leadership.

The idea FVV was about his own stats first is such lazy analysis to. FVV just got the typical starting PG hate that every PG we ever had got (including pre-2019 Lowry, and current IQ). If Shead ever progresses to starter, the same thing will happen to him

Big fan of Shead though. He is just another great find by the FO in the Lowry-->FVV-->Shead mold. These guys for some reason are devalued throughout the NBA and then they just end up being winners despite their size limitations.

Being ball dominant, while taking a bunch of shots, shooting under 40% and getting continually blocked at the basket.

What's there not to like?

If Shead continues to be a pass first guard, play hard defence, continues working on his shot and tries to get his teammates involved (which was not Fred's priority later on in his time here), then no one is going to hate on Shead.

Yes some of the blame goes to Nurse who loved to ISO both Fred and Pascal.

Fred was a shooting guard playing point guard. He never had a pass first mentality like Shead does.

Our undrafted point guard had a 3 year stretch of averaging 20/7 on slightly below league average efficiency with low turnovers and great defense. Top 5 in total 3 pointers made in that stretch. And you cant find anything to like. Fred would have been great in Darkos offense

[YogurtProducer]

The idea FVV was about his own stats first is such lazy analysis to. FVV just got the typical starting PG hate that every PG we ever had got (including pre-2019 Lowry, and current IQ). If Shead ever progresses to starter, the same thing will happen to him

Big fan of Shead though. He is just another great find by the FO in the Lowry-->FVV-->Shead mold. These guys for some reason are devalued throughout the NBA and then they just end up being winners despite their size limitations.

Being ball dominant, while taking a bunch of shots, shooting under 40% and getting continually blocked at the basket.

What's there not to like?

If Shead continues to be a pass first guard, play hard defence, continues working on his shot and tries to get his teammates involved (which was not Fred's priority later on in his time here), then no one is going to hate on Shead.

Yes some of the blame goes to Nurse who loved to ISO both Fred and Pascal.

Fred was a shooting guard playing point guard. He never had a pass first mentality like Shead does.

Our undrafted point guard had a 3 year stretch of averaging 20/7 on slightly below league average efficiency with low turnovers and great defense. Top 5 in total 3 pointers made in that stretch. And you cant find anything to like. Fred would have been great in Darkos offense

If Shead reached 75% of what FVV did, we would all be ecstatic for that outcome.

Love him or hate him - FVV started for us on a 60+ win team, as the 3rd option after Siakam/Lowry, and made an ASG. Shead would be lucky to one day be a 3rd option on a team. We all hope he can be, but sheesh, the hate for a guy who has been gone for 3 years is insanity

[gp2015]

Fred was a shoot first point guard who couldn't shoot.

Hmm....it's a mystery why most people didn't like him......

[junot111]

bruh how did this thread become about FVV

[C_Money]

bruh how did this thread become about FVV

Lol there was a time when every thread turned into FVV at some point.

[nikster]

Fred was a shoot first point guard who couldn't shoot.

Hmm....it's a mystery why most people didn't like him......

It's not a mystery, its delusion and people needing a scapegoat for a disappointing team.

Top 5 in 3s made in a 3 year stretch on 36.1% is not someone who cant shoot.

[rapsincr]

fred helped us win our ship, im forever grateful for that. whatever happened after...happened. hes on a different team now so can we just move on? this is about fan favorite jamal shead <3

[Los_29]

So many things to like. Very excited about the player he can become.

[Buff]

One thing I like to nitpick about Jamal is that people call him a 45 pick, which he was not. Bunch of teams wanted him before that but nobody wanted to offer guarantees, just two ways. Kudos to Masai for taking the risk and good riddance, can't believe he left us in this mess.

[Quattro]

Fred was a shoot first point guard who couldn't shoot.

Hmm....it's a mystery why most people didn't like him......

Well except for that time where he, you know, won us the ECF and a championship with his shooting and defense.

[TheGeneral99]

Crazy to see the hate Fred is still getting, lol.

The dude was one of the best bench players in 2018 and 2019, leading the bench mob, which was some of the best basketball we've seen as a Raptor. He also had some key clutch moments in our finals run.

He started alongside Lowry in one of the smallest backcourts ever and the team was on pace to win 60 games.

He made an all-star team in 2022, helping us get 48 wins.

He also has done a good job of mentoring that young Houston core, helping lead them to a #2 seed last year.

Yes, Fred has flaws, he's far from perfect, and ideally many of us would want him as a 6th man, but he's a positive impact player who plays great defense and is low turnover.

[TheGeneral99]

Fred was a shoot first point guard who couldn't shoot.

Hmm....it's a mystery why most people didn't like him......

He didn't shoot great from 3 in 2023, but apart from that season he was a very good 3 point shooter:

41% from 3 in 2018
38% from 3 in 2019
39% from 3 in 2020
37% from 3 in 2021
38% from 3 in 2022