Game 58: Sacto at Dallas

[Chicagojk]

I’ve stopped watching live games (especially with Flagg out), but keep track of the box score as I watch other things with my wife.  So, I wanted to see AJ once I saw he had scored 11.

I think he can be an instant O guy off the bench.  It worries me a little that Sacramento wasn’t playing much D.  What scares me more is I’m not sure AJ has the ability to play any D.  Total matador.  I hope we get to see more (especially alongside Flagg).  He’s a fun watch offensively.  And, maybe I give him a pass as no one else was all that dedicated at the defensive end.  But, if I were him and was trying to earn minutes, I’d probably put in more effort at the other end of the floor.

It is just going to be real hard for him.  I think these guys who skip steps (Gleague elite, one and done who don't play much in college, guys that go overseas, etc) makes it really hard to succeed.    Compared to a guy like Nemby who has four years of competitive college basketball where he played in a ton of important, stressful games.  It is just tough to mimic that.   Gleague has a lot of good players, but it seems like everyone scores in the g league and you don't feel that stress of game play that you do in college.   

With most of these guys, you see the talent but they are not good enough to get on the court.  Sooner or later, they are replaced with the next guy and they fade away.   He has some really nice skill, but just really tough for these guys to find an anchor and get on the floor to develop.   They say for these kids is find away to get on the court with defense.  Then the coach will gain trust in you and you will get valuable reps to improve your offense.    Unfortunately when you don't get the reps, you sort of slip thru the cracks.