https://theboonedocs.substack.com/p/one-third-of-the-way-into-their-season“Well, it’s difficult on a defense,” Borrego said. “If he’s going to make those shots, it’s going to be difficult to stay in front of him. It opens up the court for everybody. You see that when ball-handlers, point guards can step out and shoot it with range — and Devonte’ is one of those guys. You remember last year and even this year, he has that range to pull up. When he expands his game, it opens up the floor for everybody.
“So, I’m not sure where the respect level is for his shot yet. Every team is a little bit different with him. But he’ll continue to prove that he can shoot it and he shoots it with confidence. The range he’s shot it with has really surprised me. The way that he shoots it with ease from range, it’s almost the same effortless shot whether he’s at the line or two feet behind the line. It’s almost effortless.”
And wild considering how people have tried to alter Ball’s funky stroke to no avail.
“Definitely,” Ball said. “It’s a ton of stories for real. Everywhere I went, they usually try to change my shot. But I always stick with myself and said, ‘This is how I shoot. I’m confident in it. I feel good letting it go.’ I came here and and they low-key tried to adjust it a little. But I was like, ‘Nah, this is how I shoot.’ And pretty much my whole life I’ve just stuck with it.”
Borrego didn’t know exactly what to expect when initially eyeing Ball in person.
“There was concern on my part, obviously watching him and not knowing the kid and not being around to evaluate,” he said. “When we went to L.A. to interview him and watch him, there was just a confidence about him when he shot. As I sat there with (GM) Mitch (Kupchak), I looked over and I said, ‘He’s going to be fine.’ The kid oozes confidence. He believes it’s going in. That’s at least half the battle in this thing and he’s going to continue that.
“He’s fearless. He believes it’s going in. He’s going to continue to shoot it. And I think I said that after we drafted him that was one of my questions. Everyone was concerned about his shot. In the end, he has great confidence in it and he’s going to keep getting reps and better shots as he goes. That’s a great weapon to have, though, and it sets up a lot of his game. He can get to the rim. I know he missed a lot of bunnies tonight, but he got to the rim. Most of those he’s finishing.”
