I watched the Hawks' 2 most recent games against Orlando and Indiana. I'd recommend anyone with NBA TV go watch the Indiana game, where DJM scored 30 in 34min and guarded Haliburton for some stretches. Offensively: - He looks much more confident in his shots, including his 3. His 3pt %s are reflected in that: this year a career high 38.4% on 6 attempts/gm. Thats a 5.7% jump with 1.7 more attempt/gm compared to his last year in SA. - He still makes some downright nasty plays with his combination of lateral bursts, length, and finishing. - Contrary to certain posters, he does in fact pass the ball. Good vision, and the passes are fast and sharp. - Contrary to certain posters, he is not a ball hog. It's just that his whole career he's had a length advantage, and is not afraid to use that advantage. Sounds like someone we know? Him + Wemby on PnR would be downright scary close the the basket. You can't leave Wemby 1:1, so Dejounte would have space and height. Defensively: - I don't know if it was too small a sample size, but he looks the same guys. He was never a lockdown 1-1 defender. He uses his length to make up for initial lateral quickness on ball, and his steals are pick pocket / off ball. He does not look like he's lost a step, at the ripe old age of 27. - Felt like most of the time the opposing team was either switching him off or flat out avoiding him. - He's 0.5 stl/game down compared to SA totals, I'd definitely chalk that up to team defense / mentality. - Overall I think any perceived defensive drop is due to being on ATL, where they try to out-shoot everybody. They just don't value defense as much. I think he'd snap right back into place in SA with Pop on him, not to mention Wemby behind him.
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... but Steph is actually a demon off-ball. Trae just cant do it
