Hoops

Dante Exum's game

Started and finished with 13 points and 13 assists, 1 T/O. +19 in 26 minutes.

Just watched Dante’s 20 point game this morning. It was interesting to see that as he gained confidence during the game he went from barely dribbling with his left hand, to using it quite a lot. He’s still much stronger going right, but it was good to see him using his left hand effectively.

12 assists and 1 turnover today. And it's half time.

"I was just wondering whether the lack of feel for the point guard position should be put down to inexperience or lack of ability".

I've seen plenty of examples of great court vision and some slick passes from Dante over the years, so I think there has always been the potential for him to be a point guard. I think that two things have limited his ability to develop as a point guard in the NBA though: his ball handling wasn't good enough and he has lacked the confidence to be more assertive when on court. Those two things have been compounded by all the time missed to injuries.

Its great to see him getting more opportunities this season. Hopefully he can continue to develop his ball-handling and a reliable pull-up J. If he does those two things he can still become a really good player.

Drops 20 today my gosh so done.

"I was just wondering whether the lack of feel for the point guard position should be put down to inexperience or lack of ability"

Probably both of those things; or more correctly, it is simply the fact that he just isn't a natural PG and was never one.

I suspect that he was drafted as a combo-guard type, but when he shot the ball poorly in his first season, they probably realised those shooting concerns were legitimate and that he wouldn't have the shooting ability/efficiency to be a SG at NBA level - so I suspect that's when he was developed as a PG to maximise his passing/feel for the game and space to attack off the dribble.

He is very similar to Marcus Smart IMO.

Teams are going to become more cynical about these prospects that get up high on the big boards and then go into hiding. He could become a useful player but he's been disappointing overall.

They really didn't have to give him 3 years - and dare I say it most teams wouldn't have done so given his injury history and prior lack of production.

1 year with a 1 year team option would have been generous as it was.

Anywhom, he played good on Christmas Day and contributed.

He survived there this long mostly because the higher the draft pick the more embarrassing it is for a team to cut the player. Amazing to think he went #5 that year while Jokic went #41.

"Dante needs to get out of Utah he will flourish elsewhere."

Utah have given him opportunities and patience (and a big contract) that a lot of other teams would not have done.

He may well have been out of the league by now if it wasn't for Utah.

Mills was not a point guard, developed it quite late in career , and is somewhat of an asset now for the spurs. Give exum at least 2 more years. IMHO

I doubt it. He has good athleticism but zero skill. Officially a draft bust.

Dante needs to get out of Utah he will flourish elsewhere.