05-19-2021, 09:02 PM
(05-19-2021, 08:44 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: His handles are better, yes. His basketball IQ is WAY lower, imo, however. I actually think THJ plays it safe on what he attempts, which is contrary to your conclusions from the post earlier. I think he falls back on those contested 3's because he feels more confident about them not being a negative play, but I don't think that means he CAN'T handle. Make sense? Just my sense, after watching him for two years. He NEVER drove the first season. I think he's going to mix in more and more as he gets more comfortable in the system here.
You could say the same (last sentence) about Richardson, and I think he's pretty GOOD at moving from one spot to another with the ball, but...idk, man. He just doesn't seem to understand what to do with it afterwards. But the biggest disappointment for me with him is his defense. I don't even think he's a GOOD defender. Maybe that has to do with physical problems he's having, not sure. I do know he spoke earlier about his legs almost never feeling good this year.
Agree that THJ has immensely added to his game since last season. The buzz in the offseason was that the Mavs took THJ aside and told him what they wanted from him this season in terms of role. They wanted him to be a guy who could score quickly from all spots on the court, and in a variety of ways. Specifically, they didn't want him to just be a catch-and-shoot guy. I think he has made a huge amount of progress in developing variety in his offensive game.
One could argue that it isn't really fair for the Mavs to expect THJ to be the second or third option, given that he isn't as consistent as one would hope for a player with that major a role. But that's where we are. It's not like anyone else has stepped up to that degree.
Maybe Josh Richardson would click with the Mavs if he had an offseason and a training camp and a preseason and a new start. At least the fit might get a little more comfortable. But I don't think his defense has been particularly good. Not terrible or anything. But nothing to write home about. And offensively, I agree that when he gets the ball, he often doesn't seem to know what to do with it. Dribbles around and surveys the action in point-guard style, and then takes a contested shot or turns the ball over. Yikes.