Zach Lowe: Ten things I like and don't like. GTJ

[vini_vidi_vici]

Somehow this has turned into another Fred bashing thread. Food for thought: I remember when Derozan was 27 and everyone was claiming he'd already hit his ceiling as a passer, and yet the last two years he's practically doubled his assists since that time. Pretty sure it's a little early to say things like Fred's already maxed out as a play maker which I don't believe was Lowe's point.

It wasnt his point, but also being 6th in APG, and 9th in Potential APG, and 7th in AST PTs created is pretty good even if its his max (which who even knows).

[vini_vidi_vici]

[ForeverTFC]

This wasn't behind a paywall. Much of what Lowe writes or podcast's is freely available. Just follow his twitter to know when things drop.

Really? Why does it show as an Insider article for me?
https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/32498018/zach-lowe-10-things-ja-morant-absurdity-lonely-star-brooklyn-julius-randle-new-life-msg

Don't use the ESPN website. Just use his tweets, they usually connect directly to the article.

Not for me... still behind a paywall.

[FluLikeSymptoms]

Says insider in the link.

[alienchild]

Really? Why does it show as an Insider article for me?
https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/32498018/zach-lowe-10-things-ja-morant-absurdity-lonely-star-brooklyn-julius-randle-new-life-msg

Don't use the ESPN website. Just use his tweets, they usually connect directly to the article.

Not for me... still behind a paywall.

Try this:

Read on Twitter

[billy_hoyle]

Don't use the ESPN website. Just use his tweets, they usually connect directly to the article.

Not for me... still behind a paywall.

Try this:

Read on Twitter

Dude. Try and read the article from that link...you make it to point 2 before getting the insider fade... Unless you have an ESPN subscription you are (unknowingly) paying for

[vini_vidi_vici]

Not for me... still behind a paywall.

Try this:

Read on Twitter

Dude. Try and read the article from that link...you make it to point 2 before getting the insider fade... Unless you have an ESPN subscription you are (unknowingly) paying for

Works for me, and I dont have an insider subscription.

[ForeverTFC]

Don't use the ESPN website. Just use his tweets, they usually connect directly to the article.

Not for me... still behind a paywall.

Try this:

Read on Twitter

Still a no go. Probably beacuse I'm in the US and that's where it's paywalled. Appreciate the help though.

[billy_hoyle]

I'm not sure what everyone is arguing about wrt FVV.

He's playing well, and creating at or near his ceiling. Could he do more, sure. Should we expect or need him to? No.

Our offense needs GTJ to inject some creativity. That and getting Siakam back, and just hitting shots. We blown alot of bunnies.

[billy_hoyle]

Not for me... still behind a paywall.

Try this:

Read on Twitter

Still a no go. Probably beacuse I'm in the US and that's where it's paywalled. Appreciate the help though.

I'm in Canada. No go from me. Paywalled.

[alienchild]

Not for me... still behind a paywall.

Try this:

Read on Twitter

Still a no go. Probably beacuse I'm in the US and that's where it's paywalled. Appreciate the help though.

Tried a VPN set to another country outside the US?

[Spates]

Heres some names shooting worse in the RA than FVV for perspective...

LBJ/DD/Vuc/Valanciunas/Tatum/Harden/Trae/Booker/Suggs/Russell/Dinwiddie/McCallom/Mitchell/Precious/Porz/Giddey/etc..

https://go.nba.com/uxm6

Go to Fred's 7th shot attempt. 1:32 left in the 2nd. That says everything about Fred's decision making under the rim.

Dunks and Threes has Fred at 44% under the rim last year. That's the 3rd percentile.

It's not something does at a high level.

Im not sure what dunks and threes is, or what is defined as "under the rim" but...

He shot 50% in the RA last yr.

Based on years of lurking I think you might like dunks and threes. https://dunksandthrees.com/ Heard about it on the Lowe Post.

50% at the rim is not a good percentage. It is worst in the league of all guards with more than 150 attempts in the restricted area.

I like Fred. I don't want to bash him. That's it from me.

https://www.nba.com/stats/players/shooting/?Season=2020-21&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&DistanceRange=By%20Zone&sort=Restricted%20Area%20FG%20PCT&dir=-1&PerMode=Totals&PlayerPosition=G&CF=Restricted%20Area%20FGA*G*150

[alienchild]

Somehow this has turned into another Fred bashing thread. Food for thought: I remember when Derozan was 27 and everyone was claiming he'd already hit his ceiling as a passer, and yet the last two years he's practically doubled his assists since that time. Pretty sure it's a little early to say things like Fred's already maxed out as a play maker which I don't believe was Lowe's point.

It wasnt his point, but also being 6th in APG, and 9th in Potential APG, and 7th in AST PTs created is pretty good even if its his max (which who even knows).

This is realGM. Poster's love flogging their biases at every opportunity.

[SirKen]

Tell me more about what Lowe meant by that comment.

I think he's absolutely correct about Fred. When Fred's shot is on he looks like a stud. It opens things up for him a little as he has trouble effectively collapsing and scrambling a defense. He is easy to control in the paint and one of the worst finishers at the rim in the league. It is just a size and athleticism problem. They don't detract from his merits. Stellar defender that shoots fire from deep. If you told me he shoots 45% from 25 feet out I'd believe you.

I know it is unfair to compare Fred to Lowry but they are almost the same height and Lowry didn't have this problem as much. I think this was because Lowry prefers lay ups off of two feet, giving him better balance and an opportunity to shield the ball using his body. On the other hand, Fred tends to use more traditional lay-ups which makes him predictable and easy to block IMO.

Lowry is a big body and very strong. Height isn't the only factor that gives the ability to get position on your defender.

I don't know how that relates to my comment. I never said anything about the height but the body positioning and the additional flexibility and craftiness jumping off of two feet can provide.

[duppyy]

"I'll pass when you get a Girlfriend"
"It's not called Passball"

Can use Barg memes with GTJ.

[ForeverTFC]

I know it is unfair to compare Fred to Lowry but they are almost the same height and Lowry didn't have this problem as much. I think this was because Lowry prefers lay ups off of two feet, giving him better balance and an opportunity to shield the ball using his body. On the other hand, Fred tends to use more traditional lay-ups which makes him predictable and easy to block IMO.

Lowry is a big body and very strong. Height isn't the only factor that gives the ability to get position on your defender.

I don't know how that relates to my comment. I never said anything about the height but the body positioning and the additional flexibility and craftiness jumping off of two feet can provide.

You literally said "they are almost the same height and Lowry didn't have this problem as much."

My point is that his weight and strength create the room necessary for him to do what you're describing. When Lowry has his man beat, he does go off one foot - there is enough highlights on YouTube for that. The two feet you are describing is generally when he bumps his defender and then goes up off two feet either backwards or to the rim. In those instances, he's using his strength and body to create the space to give him time to go off two feet and then using his body to keep that separation in the air.

That's all I was trying to point out - his positioning and craftiness have a lot to do with his strength and wide frame.

[SirKen]

Lowry is a big body and very strong. Height isn't the only factor that gives the ability to get position on your defender.

I don't know how that relates to my comment. I never said anything about the height but the body positioning and the additional flexibility and craftiness jumping off of two feet can provide.

You literally said "they are almost the same height and Lowry didn't have this problem as much."

My point is that his weight and strength create the room necessary for him to do what you're describing. When Lowry has his man beat, he does go off one foot - there is enough highlights on YouTube for that. The two feet you are describing is generally when he bumps his defender and then goes up off two feet either backwards or to the rim. In those instances, he's using his strength and body to create the space to give him time to go off two feet and then using his body to keep that separation in the air.

That's all I was trying to point out - his positioning and craftiness have a lot to do with his strength and wide frame.

I did say that to underline that height is not the factor here that is making a difference. You restating my statement made no sense whatsoever. Your follow up explanation makes more sense.

[AkelaLoneWolf]

Great analysis as usual by one of the most astute out there. He's exactly right about GTJ. His defense has been good, definitely better than expected so far, but he needs to pass up the ball. Because a black hole like that on offense only works if you're a more efficient shooter and scorer and he isn't that right now. So he's wasting possessions. I know that's sort of his role is to be that scorer in lineups that struggle to create looks, but he should be facilitating a bit more instead of going and1 2004 mode.

Passing would be great; I'm just not sure its in his skillset. I've always seen him in the Tim Hardaway Jr. role. I'd want him to develop a comfort level in this role before trying to add to his role right now.