The Dante Exum Thread

[Smooth_E]

Considering Exum is 18, what are the chances he improves his max vert from 34.5? If chances are good, what would be realistic expectations?

Max vert. can always be improved.

If you work hard enough on your plyometric exercises you will see am improvement. Calf raises, squats, lunges, jump rope, weight vest, etc. It can always improve.

Post injury Derrick Rose claims that his constant rehab during the injury made his vertical increase.

[Smooth_E]

Chad Ford and Jay Bilas discuss Smart and Exum:

1. In five years, who's the better PG prospect, Dante Exum or Marcus Smart?

Chad Ford had us taking Trey Burke and Jay Bilas thought Ben Mclemore was the best player in the draft this time last year.

In all fairness, last year's draft was kind of all over the place. The Cavs picked Anthony Bennet over McLemore, Oladipo, Burke, Noel, etc. for crying out loud.

These scouts have been focused on this particular draft for a while now. I don't think you can miss on this year's draft.

[basketballRob]

I'll be surprised if any of them have the top 5 right. I wouldn't be surprised to see some mocks soon having us take Marcus Smart over Exum. Since he proved to be a better athlete at the NBA combine.

[basketballRob]

Dante is probably going to be 6'7 - 6'8 by the time he's 21

his vert will improve, but ingame athleticism probably won't show it much since (from the few games I've watched) it doesn't seem like he is trying to posterize guys any chance he gets

Maybe Smart will be 6'5" by the time he's 21.

[OrlandO]

Considering Exum is 18, what are the chances he improves his max vert from 34.5? If chances are good, what would be realistic expectations?

Max vert. can always be improved.

If you work hard enough on your plyometric exercises you will see am improvement. Calf raises, squats, lunges, jump rope, weight vest, etc. It can always improve.

Post injury Derrick Rose claims that his constant rehab during the injury made his vertical increase.

That's what I was thinking. I've seen friends go from not being able to dunk at 18 to being able to do a basic clean dunk at 20 due to the exercises you mentioned, but was wondering if it is different for supreme athletes who have probably put more work into maximizing their athleticism while growing up. But it makes sense Exum might be able to tack on another inch or two as he takes advantage of nba trainers and whatnot.

[Orlwillbeback]

of for crying out loud, smart is not a better athlete than exum because of the max vert measurement at the combine.

If you really give a **** about the combine, exum killed everything EXCEPT the max vert.

[Devin 1L]

For as long as I can recall --like 10 years-- this board has been obsessed with getting a really tall point guard.

Why?

[OrlandO]

For as long as I can recall --like 10 years-- this board has been obsessed with getting a really tall point guard.

Why?

[thelead]

For as long as I can recall --like 10 years-- this board has been obsessed with getting a really tall point guard.

Why?

Well played sir.

[Devin 1L]

For as long as I can recall --like 10 years-- this board has been obsessed with getting a really tall point guard.

Why?

Haha!

Good call.

It's like a long running collective overcompensation.

[InFlames]

Considering Exum is 18, what are the chances he improves his max vert from 34.5? If chances are good, what would be realistic expectations?

Max vert is an overrated, poorly measured predictor. Doug Mcdermott had a higher max vert than Blake Griffin but no one on the planet would say Mcbuckets is a better athlete than Griffin.

[thelead]

Rafer's defense in comparison to Jameer's is what pushed most over.

I've wanted Jameer to be our DA/Jet of the bench since the day he was drafted. I couldn't stand that Otis never addressed that problem.

[MagicFan101]

It was Matt Lloyd, not Henny.

Here is a comment on the latest ESPN mock draft.

Rob Hennigan is one of the few general managers to have seen the athletic Aussie guard thrive at the U19 World Championships last summer. However, he is also a fan of another point guard in Marcus Smart. At the end of the day, Exum's upside will be too much to pass up.

So was Henny there or not? It seems to change from article to article on where he was there or he simply had his guys there. Oh well, it doesn't really matter I suppose. In the end, I do hope Exum gives us a private workout.

[Smooth_E]

Considering Exum is 18, what are the chances he improves his max vert from 34.5? If chances are good, what would be realistic expectations?

Max vert. can always be improved.

If you work hard enough on your plyometric exercises you will see am improvement. Calf raises, squats, lunges, jump rope, weight vest, etc. It can always improve.

Post injury Derrick Rose claims that his constant rehab during the injury made his vertical increase.

That's what I was thinking. I've seen friends go from not being able to dunk at 18 to being able to do a basic clean dunk at 20 due to the exercises you mentioned, but was wondering if it is different for supreme athletes who have probably put more work into maximizing their athleticism while growing up. But it makes sense Exum might be able to tack on another inch or two as he takes advantage of nba trainers and whatnot.

Yeah, that makes sense.

Also, (if we draft Dante) he's going to be working out with a bunch of gym rats too (Oladipo, Harris, Harkless, Nicholson, O'Quinn) that will push him to improve his body. I'm really excited with the potential to draft a 6-6 (maybe even 6-7 or 6-8 eventually, men don't stop growing until age 22 approx.) point guard.

[Smooth_E]

For as long as I can recall --like 10 years-- this board has been obsessed with getting a really tall point guard.

Why?

For me personally

I was always taught (as well as have heard on TV/radio) that height and wingspan are 2 of the greatest advantages that you cannot reach. It's actually an unfair advantage as long as the person is a decent worker. Dante as a PG at that size is awesome. Imagine being able to see over the defense of every pick and roll. In my opinion, size can nullify skill in some instances.

Jason Collins guarding Dwight in the second ATL series.
Klay Thompson on Chris Paul this season.

[MalonesElbows]

Considering Exum is 18, what are the chances he improves his max vert from 34.5? If chances are good, what would be realistic expectations?

Max vert. can always be improved.

If you work hard enough on your plyometric exercises you will see am improvement. Calf raises, squats, lunges, jump rope, weight vest, etc. It can always improve.

Post injury Derrick Rose claims that his constant rehab during the injury made his vertical increase.

That's what I was thinking. I've seen friends go from not being able to dunk at 18 to being able to do a basic clean dunk at 20 due to the exercises you mentioned, but was wondering if it is different for supreme athletes who have probably put more work into maximizing their athleticism while growing up. But it makes sense Exum might be able to tack on another inch or two as he takes advantage of nba trainers and whatnot.

The fallacy with this is other prospects will be improving their vertical as well. Some players just don't have the "quick twitch" muscle fiber to ever be great leapers. Exum will not be dunking at the rim except on rare occasions. His elevation on his jumper is also a concern, watch how he barely gets off the floor. Exum is slightly more appealing than Vonleh or Smart, but you guys are in the same boat as us Jazz fans, we all missed our gravy train ticket

[Devin 1L]

Rafer's defense in comparison to Jameer's is what pushed most over.

I've wanted Jameer to be our DA/Jet of the bench since the day he was drafted. I couldn't stand that Otis never addressed that problem.

The world just wasn't ready.

[tiderulz]

of for crying out loud, smart is not a better athlete than exum because of the max vert measurement at the combine.

If you really give a **** about the combine, exum killed everything EXCEPT the max vert.

and the bench

[Devin 1L]

For as long as I can recall --like 10 years-- this board has been obsessed with getting a really tall point guard.

Why?

For me personally

I was always taught (as well as have heard on TV/radio) that height and wingspan are 2 of the greatest advantages that you cannot reach. It's actually an unfair advantage as long as the person is a decent worker. Dante as a PG at that size is awesome. Imagine being able to see over the defense of every pick and roll. In my opinion, size can nullify skill in some instances.

Jason Collins guarding Dwight in the second ATL series.
Klay Thompson on Chris Paul this season.

Yeah, I guess.

I mean it sounds good in theory, and in some specific circumstances, but if we look historically, who are all the great tall point guards?

[tiderulz]

Also, (if we draft Dante) he's going to be working out with a bunch of gym rats too (Oladipo, Harris, Harkless, Nicholson, O'Quinn) that will push him to improve his body. I'm really excited with the potential to draft a 6-6 (maybe even 6-7 or 6-8 eventually, men don't stop growing until age 22 approx.) point guard.

i grew to 6'2 in high school and didnt gain another inch. dont know where you got that stat of not stop growing until 22.