Is Deron changing his game?

carrottop12 · Post #1 » by **carrottop12** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 7:18 pm

So, I know this is incredibly early, but over these past two games it has looked to me like Deron is changing his game.

I know he is injured, and I am sure that plays a part in this, but he just isn't looking to score the ball at all.

Everyone knows Deron is the second best scorer on the team behind Boozer, and with Boozer out you'd think Deron would feel obligated to take over some of the scoring load, however.

In last night's game Deron took 8 shots, that was tied for 6th most on the team behind Okur, Brewer, Millsap, Korver, and Price, and he tied with CJ Miles.

In the game before that he tied for 5th most shots.

He also seems to be passing up open jumpers to find teammates in better positions to score.

I don't want to jump the gun here, but is Deron starting to play more like Stockton?

And if so, is that a good or a bad thing?

ColdBlue · Post #2 » by **ColdBlue** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 7:34 pm

^ Definitely a good thing. The one criticism I have of Deron over the past couple of years is that he seems to get tunnel vision when he drives. If he changes mindset and takes it only if it looks good, and dumps off when it looks risky (ala Nash) then he will be the best PG in the league.

I do want him to take the spot up J when it's open though.

Ming Kong! · Post #3 » by **Ming Kong!** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 7:45 pm

We've won the last two games, so that's all I care about. We need him getting around 12apg, we don't need, but will probably get 18-20ppg from him regardless.

I see anywhere over 18ppg 12apg, and with all the other guys around him already, it's more than enough. I think he's going to easily get 12apg since he was able to get 10.5apg last season when AK was half the factor he is now, as was Miles and Almond, and Brewer and Millsap are taking it up a new level. Even Okur who stepped up his post game last year has been flying high in the paint this year. He has a chance to even get in the 13apg territory. Should be fun to watch him to something that Magic only did once, as did Kevin Porter and Isiah Thomas in the late 70s-mid 80s, and has not been done by Stockton since the 1991-92 season. :-)

tylero87 · Post #4 » by **tylero87** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 7:53 pm

I think Deron has a good understanding of when to get his teammates involved and when to score. Last night we were playing against a Kings team who didn't have their best player. They don't play defense and they don't rebound so I'm sure Deron thought he didn't need to score 25 to beat the Kings. 13 points in 27 minutes is still good and the 15 assists were attached to some really good plays.

The point that I'm making is Deron can be the best player for his team without scoring the most points. Deron is trying to get his teammates comfortable with playing with him again. Also, compared to the last game against Memphis I saw Deron take it to the paint, and try that crossover he has to get into the lane against the Kings, which was not something we saw Deron do against the Grizz.

I think Deron would rather get his team involved but we all know Deron can pick up his game in pressure situations and score with the best of them. My favorite part about the game last night was when Udrih came off a screen and hit a 3 and Deron took the ball up the court and pulled up with Udrih right in front off him and answered him with a 3 of his own.

HammerDunk · Post #5 » by **HammerDunk** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 10:56 pm

He's smart as hell and knows what is most important for a PG to get back into his game. I'm sure he will start scoring more, but if he can pass it to someone who can score more easily, why take a shot? Personally, if he averaged 15ppg and 12apg, I would be incredibly happy. Simply knowing Stock could make any shot if he had to but would rather pass the ball to an easier shot made him that much more dangerous than a PG that would just take the shot. Deron is evolving in the right way I think. He has probably had a lot of time to think about how he would like to come back from this injury, and he is obviously taking the correct approach. I still can't wait to see one of his killer dunks though...

Post #6 » by **loserX** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 11:57 pm

Agree with the consensus. Things may change once he recovers from his injury, but I think he's also going about it the right way.

Also, as I've said before, when Deron's game is at its least beneficial to the team, it's when he's trying too hard to be a star instead of a PG. I think his game is maturing, and I'm glad to see it.

GP · Post #7 » by GP » Sun Nov 30, 2008 12:35 am

Lets not get read too much into his play the last 2 games, DW is "changing his game" because his ankle isn't 100%, that simple. For example, I can't imagine that his cross-over move feel really good right now, so instead of aggressively getting to the basket, he is passing more and shooting jumpers.

Batronuj wrote:is Deron starting to play more like Stockton?

And if so, is that a good or a bad thing?

Its a bad thing, the last thing we need is another Stockton.

Duiz · Post #8 » by **Duiz** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 12:36 am

I would have expected dalekjazz to post this.. Not Bat himself.

@ndrew · Post #9 » by **@ndrew** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 3:05 am

2 pts/9 ast already in this game.

HammerDunk · Post #10 » by **HammerDunk** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 7:02 am

We really need his speed back to deal with a guy like Harris though, he just SMASHED us tonight. I know he wouldn't shut him down, but it seemed like he had no opposition. I was only able to listen, so I don't know how Deron really looked, just guessing.

Post #11 » by **jazzfan1971** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 8:41 am

We really missed Boozer's inside game tonight. I think Harris is just a hard cover, Price seemed no better.

erudite23 · Post #12 » by **erudite23** » Mon Dec 1, 2008 8:57 pm

Is this a serious question? I don't think Deron has tried to change anything at all about his game, except to just hone his craft. Its purely a matter of his reluctance to drive into traffic because of that bad ankle.

However, I think we're seeing a DWill that is even more comfortable with the players he has and who is anticipating things even better than last year. Anyone who thinks he won't make a run at the assist title is out of their minds. I would like to see Deron take a few less shots, but to make up for it by taking more three pointers. With a stroke like he has, the 3 is a deadly, deadly weapon, and he should take advantage of it more often.

schneiderjazz · Post #13 » by **schneiderjazz** » Mon Dec 1, 2008 9:06 pm

Deron's passing seems to be on another level this year, but he still does throw some horrible ones now and then. It's obvious that his ankle is bothering him. Not only is he reluctant to drive, but it seems he's getting blocked every time he goes for a layup. I think he's changing his game a little because of the injury, but once he gets back to a 100% or at least close to it, I believe we'll see a better version of last season's Deron.

carrottop12 · Post #14 » by **carrottop12** » Mon Dec 1, 2008 9:12 pm

It is a serious question. It honestly seems like he is looking way more for assists then points this year. Not in a bad way, Stockton did that his whole career. Deron looks like he is far more concearned with getting everybody involved then he is with taking is own shots. It also helps that CJ is in the starting line up who is a better offensive player then AK.

I don't mean he's going to completely restrucute his game, I am simply asking if he is becoming even more unselfish.

To date Deron has been a pass first shoot second kind of PG. Stockton was a pass first, second, third and shoot fourth kind of PG. It looks to me like Deron is being far more unselfish this year, but like everyone says, I am sure it has a lot to do with his ankle.

I'd hate to miss out on these kind of plays through out the season if he does start shooting less.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JomXTmDMV3s&NR=1