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2023-2024 Off-Season Thread II

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My stepson's best friend is somewhat within Emoni's inner circle. He attended his draft party, has worked out with him in the gym, and refers to him as his "cousin." I chatted him a month ago about Bates. The one thing he noted about his game, which surprised me, was is playmaking skills. So we'll see how this plays out in camp and beyond.
 
Bates looked like a very willing passer in the Summer League, which is a little surprising. You'd think that with all the hype he would feel the pressure to score a ton, but if I didn't know anything about him and watched him play I would say he's very unselfish and just wants his team to win and tries to make the right decision every time.
 
...one thing we all like, he's really competitive on the ball & really active off the ball. - Darius Garland on Bates

That's great because some guys who see themselves as big scorers just stand around saving energy until they get the ball, then go to work on breaking down their man. The fact that Bates is "really active off the ball" means he understands the value of getting open for a catch-and-shoot, or a pump fake and drive against a close-out.

A guy who moves well off the ball and can shoot well from outside can score a lot of points.

Does "really competitive on the ball" mean he's working hard on individual defense or that he's a good offensive player with the ball in his hands?
 
Wham with the Right Hand said:
...one thing we all like, he's really competitive on the ball & really active off the ball. - Darius Garland on Bates

That's great because some guys who see themselves as big scorers just stand around saving energy until they get the ball, then go to work on breaking down their man. The fact that Bates is "really active off the ball" means he understands the value of getting open for a catch-and-shoot, or a pump fake and drive against a close-out.

A guy who moves well off the ball and can shoot well from outside can score a lot of points.

Does "really competitive on the ball" mean he's working hard on individual defense or that he's a good offensive player with the ball in his hands?
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Tempering my enthusiasm for this kid is getting harder. It's like all of his weaknesses have turned out to be no big deal.

They asked Darius about Craig porter and he had good things to say, but he also said that he and Donovan have been working more with Emoni. That is very interesting. He does have guard skills
 
I think Emoni will get minutes if he’s ready, willing & able to play NBA defense. JBB, correctly, insists his players play defense. This might take time.

We know the kid can shoot and coming off the bench that is probably enough offensively. If he can also pass effectively that’s a bonus. I’ll be watching closely to see how he does defensively. Physically he can be outmuscled pretty easily so we’ll need to see how he can compensate and fit into team defense.
 
shoes22 said:
Yeah I would temper my expectations regardless, because even if his basketball skills are more developed than expected, his body certainly isn't. He needs time.
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Really rooting for him but yes. The 3 is a freakin meat grinder at the NBA level. You have to be really mentally tough to play at that spot and it is even more of an initial challenge if you need physical development.

What Emoni really needs to is to shoot well from the jump. I think that will just help alleviate some of the pressure he will feel on the defensive end, especially against the cross section of bully like 3's.

I'm not sure he's going to be initially strong enough to create much at the NBA level but if he can shoot well on O and just be a high effort guy on D, he should be able to carve out a role.
 
shoes22 said:
Yeah I would temper my expectations regardless, because even if his basketball skills are more developed than expected, his body certainly isn't. He needs time.
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he's wiry !!
 
I'mWithDan said:
Really rooting for him but yes. The 3 is a freakin meat grinder at the NBA level. You have to be really mentally tough to play at that spot and it is even more of an initial challenge if you need physical development.

What Emoni really needs to is to shoot well from the jump. I think that will just help alleviate some of the pressure he will feel on the defensive end, especially against the cross section of bully like 3's.

I'm not sure he's going to be initially strong enough to create much at the NBA level but if he can shoot well on O and just be a high effort guy on D, he should be able to carve out a role.
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I do wonder if he will get Min at the 2
 
With his frame I could definitely see him being more of a tall 2. He'll be interesting to watch, hopefully.
 
Cavatt said:
I do wonder if he will get Min at the 2
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You could play him at the 2 with Wade at the 3 and have enough length on the court to help cover his defensive shortcomings. Also, Wade’s typically not hunting his own shot and Bates always is. I think it would be more of a problem to pair him with Okoro or Struss at the 3.
 
I'm not sure he would ever be a 3 due narrow shoulders and t-rex arms.....he gains an advantage as a 2. No way in hell we are going to throw him at there against a stout SF.
 
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