Dalano Banton Discussion / Appreciation

Post #381 » by **HiJiNX** » Mon Mar 14, 2022 4:40 pm

WaltFrazier wrote:He's done a great job of staying ready. He was playing shifts when Fred sat before ASG, the Flynn took his minutes, now he's back contributing. Fine games vs Spurs and Nuggets. The play where Thad lobbed to Khem, Banton made an underrated bounce pass to Thad to get that break started. And some great assists of his own

He has a natural feel that you can’t teach. Once you put skills and a bit of strength behind that he will be a fine player in this league imo. Most guys can become league average shooters with enough time in the gym and some can be even better (I don’t think Dalano will ever be a great shooter though—probably a 36% from deep guy at best). If Dalano had that in his bag then his entire game opens up because he would then be able to attack closeouts and use his vision and creativity to create plays against a scrambling D.

OakleyDokely · Post #382 » by **OakleyDokely** » Fri May 6, 2022 4:58 pm

One thing very encouraging about Banton is that he scored 1.05 points per possession in isolation, which was the highest rate on the team. Granted, it was a small sample size, but he was effective off the dribble, around the rim. He has a huge advantage at his size as most of his defenders will be a lot smaller than him, so if he can develop a pullout jumper, there aren't many defenders in the league will will able to stop that shot.

DreamTeam09 · Post #383 » by **DreamTeam09** » Fri May 6, 2022 5:17 pm

He might be my fav player on the team, he should be the back-up PG playing a lot of minutes with Fred. No need for Flynn anymore. Really hopes his jumper improves over the summer

WaltFrazier · Post #384 » by **WaltFrazier** » Fri May 6, 2022 5:58 pm

It's been said before but it's interesting how Delano was absolutely dominant in G league, like a man among boys. The way he could drive through a whole team at will and finish at the basket.

But he obviously can't do that against NBA defenses until he adds a shot, and some Pascal/Scottie finishing moves. He does make some nice passes off the drive. I also loved his pure speed with the ball in open court, he just has to harness that speed to turn it into finishes at the end of the break. Maxey opened my eyes to the value of pure speed in the open court. Banton might be close to him in an end to end dribbling race but of course doesn't have the finishing control nor the pull-up on a dime three. But he has that speed as a base to build on, can't be taught. Hopefully he can develop the finer skills so he can harness that speed into production

Appostis · Post #385 » by **Appostis** » Fri May 6, 2022 6:28 pm

If he really came together could be the perfect PG for the team.

Really hope he adds a little strength and alot of shooting.

Post #386 » by **Reeko** » Fri May 6, 2022 6:40 pm

My only concerns with him are off the court. I think he’s going to be a good NBA player and I hope it’s for us.

Badonkadonk · Post #387 » by **Badonkadonk** » Fri May 6, 2022 6:43 pm

OakleyDokely wrote:One thing very encouraging about Banton is that he scored 1.05 points per possession in isolation, which was the highest rate on the team. Granted, it was a small sample size, but he was effective off the dribble, around the rim. He has a huge advantage at his size as most of his defenders will be a lot smaller than him, so if he can develop a pullout jumper, there aren't many defenders in the league will will able to stop that shot.

I watched a bunch of 905 in the 2nd half of the season and he had dominant stretches in the G-league, and the major reason was because he could take anybody to the hoop and pass over heads as a PG.

I agree with you that he needs some kind of ranged threat, ideally both behind the arc and an option in the mid-range (floater, jumper whatever).

That aside, he really needs to learn to play at NBA speed and how to make reads, on both ends. He gets absolutely destroyed in the defensive halfcourt.

Los_29 · Post #388 » by **Los_29** » Fri May 6, 2022 6:43 pm

Really hoping he's a consistent rotation player for us next year. I see no reason why he can't be with an offseason to work on his game. He's not too far away.

There are very few players who can do what he did in the G-League at the age of 22. He was an absolute force down there.

WuTang_CMB · Post #389 » by **WuTang_CMB** » Fri May 6, 2022 6:46 pm

Brings a nice element with his length and height at the PG position. Under-rated rebounder too which causes problems.

Needs a shot / better ball handling

DreamTeam09 · Post #390 » by **DreamTeam09** » Fri May 6, 2022 6:47 pm

Reeko wrote:My only concerns with him are off the court. I think he’s going to be a good NBA player and I hope it’s for us.

May I ask why on earth you would be worried about him off the court? Please you gotta elaborate...

DreamTeam09 · Post #391 » by **DreamTeam09** » Fri May 6, 2022 6:49 pm

On a side note, I've been looking for a mix of his with his season highlights and nothing. Just individual game highlights, not a full mix tho

Post #392 » by **Reeko** » Fri May 6, 2022 7:58 pm

DreamTeam09 wrote:
Reeko wrote:My only concerns with him are off the court. I think he’s going to be a good NBA player and I hope it’s for us.

May I ask why on earth you would be worried about him off the court? Please you gotta elaborate...

Just things that I’ve heard from people that know him. I’m sure he’ll be fine, but I do wonder if being in the city is the best thing for his career.

Madhouse · Post #393 » by **Madhouse** » Fri May 6, 2022 8:17 pm

Reeko wrote:
DreamTeam09 wrote:
Reeko wrote:My only concerns with him are off the court. I think he’s going to be a good NBA player and I hope it’s for us.

May I ask why on earth you would be worried about him off the court? Please you gotta elaborate...

Just things that I’ve heard from people that know him. I’m sure he’ll be fine, but I do wonder if being in the city is the best thing for his career.

I think it's a valid concern in general with players in their home towns. Have to hope he keeps his head straight.

Madhouse · Post #394 » by **Madhouse** » Fri May 6, 2022 8:18 pm

DreamTeam09 wrote:He might be my fav player on the team, he should be the back-up PG playing a lot of minutes with Fred. No need for Flynn anymore. Really hopes his jumper improves over the summer

Toronto needs him to be a rotational player next season. We lack depth.

It would be very disappointing if he isn't good enough next year.

PhilBlackson · Post #395 » by **PhilBlackson** » Fri May 6, 2022 8:30 pm

I'm not even that concerned by his strength as I am his jumper.

Once he gets that in order, he can be a really solid rotation player. He'll also need to learn to play at different speeds as Pascal did to really break out.

aroc23 · Post #396 » by **aroc23** » Fri May 6, 2022 8:37 pm

Sometimes when I am bored I like to Google his G League stats to cheer myself up:

EDIT: According to BBall Reference it is actually 25.7 pts 9.1 reb 5.7 ast 1.4 stl .520 fg% .42 3pt% (4.5 att/game)

He has shown signs of being a capable three point shooter (in the G League and the beginning of the season). He needs to work on his shot no doubt. Even in the G League he only shot 55% from the free throw line, but we are not talking about Ben Simmons here. He has shown he is prepared to keep taking them until he makes them.

Whenever Masai talks about developing a bench internally I think he is referring to Dalano.

StopitLeo · Post #397 » by **StopitLeo** » Fri May 6, 2022 8:41 pm

PhilBlackson wrote:I'm not even that concerned by his strength as I am his jumper.

Once he gets that in order, he can be a really solid rotation player. He'll also need to learn to play at different speeds as Pascal did to really break out.

I have faith in our team's ability to develop shooting. All Dalano really needs to be able to do right now is hit open 3s from above the break. It would be fascinating to see Banton/Barnes/OG/Pascal/Precious on the floor together.

OakleyDokely · Post #398 » by **OakleyDokely** » Fri May 6, 2022 8:46 pm

Gotta watch those Livingston tapes. He was so good at getting to his spots and just shooting over people. Nobody is doubling Banton when you have Siakam, Barnes etc on the court, so he's going to have space to operate. Working on the jumper is the #1 priority.

douggood · Post #399 » by **douggood** » Fri May 6, 2022 8:54 pm

aroc23 wrote:Sometimes when I am bored I like to Google his G League stats to cheer myself up:

24 PTS, 9 REB, 6 AST, 1.5 STL on 51% overall and 39% from 3 (1.6 makes)

He has shown signs of being a capable three point shooter (in the G League and the beginning of the season). He needs to work on his shot no doubt. Even in the G League he only shot 55% from the free throw line, but we are not talking about Ben Simmons here. He has shown he is prepared to keep taking them until he makes them.

Whenever Masai talks about developing a bench internally I think he is referring to Dalano.

the stats i see are even higher
https://www.basketball-reference.com/gleague/players/b/bantoda01d.html
25.7 pts 9.1 reb 5.7 ast 1.4 stl .520 fg% .42 3pt% (4.5 att/game)

brownbobcat · Post #400 » by **brownbobcat** » Fri May 6, 2022 9:03 pm

Madhouse wrote:
Reeko wrote:
DreamTeam09 wrote:
May I ask why on earth you would be worried about him off the court? Please you gotta elaborate...

Just things that I’ve heard from people that know him. I’m sure he’ll be fine, but I do wonder if being in the city is the best thing for his career.

I think it's a valid concern in general with players in their home towns. Have to hope he keeps his head straight.

Not knowing anything about Banton's specific case, I hope it's something the Raptors can monitor.

Particularly because he wasn't a blue-chip prospect growing up (relative to the NBA), there may be more hangers-on popping up out of the woodwork and fewer people around to keep watch around him. It always amazes me that LeBron was as hyped as he was, got drafted to where he grew up and managed to keep it all together.