**PG**
**TJ McConnell** \- FTAs. He is *leading the league in drives per minute* but somehow only averages 1.8 FTA per 36 minutes. As a wily old vet you’d think he’d be able to use the dark arts to get to the line more often.
**Haliburton** \- it feels like sometimes he’s allergic to taking a catch-and-shoot 3 from 24 ft. Instead he wants to collect the ball, take a couple of dribbles, step back and fire from 28 ft.
**SG**
**Nembhard** \- can’t hit an above the break 3. He’s shooting 53% from the corners but only 28% above the break.
**Sheppard** \- same, 41% from the corners, 22% above the break
**SF**
**Nesmith** \- can’t stop fouling, 4.4 fouls per 36 mins. That’s 5th highest among non Centers, 2nd most total fouls among non Cs
**McDermott** \- too old
**Walker** \- too young
**PF**
**Toppin** \- Defense. Go check out the Dunc’d on Basketball podcast for breakdown on how and why he’s so bad. They put him on their all-bad-defense starting 5. [https://nateduncannba.com/podcast-episodes/the-defense-episode-2023-24/](https://nateduncannba.com/podcast-episodes/the-defense-episode-2023-24/)
**Siakam** \- FTs. He’s only shooting 68.8% from the line which is roughly 10% below where he’s been most of his career.
**C**
**Smith** \- also FTs. He’s a 43% 3pt shooter but only hits 68% from the line
**Turner** \- get a new finger
**Jackson** \- fouls. 6.5 fouls per 36 mins, highest in the league.
by BlueCollarGoldSwaggr
10 Comments
I feel like the toppin “bad defense” argument has actually had a lot less to stand on given his performance in recent games. I feel he has improved greatly on keeping his base as an on ball defender and DEFINITELY has improved as a rebounder
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TJ drives a lot, but he scores so effectively because he’s great at avoiding contact around the basket. Probably more useful for a 6’1″ guy to be able to create space for open jumpers than it is for him to let big dudes clobber him.
My Haliburton pet peeve is not using that runner / floater enough. It’s his most reliable shot and even goes in when he’s having a rough night.
TJ is a master at avoiding contact. thats why he doesnt get any fta, because hes squirming around defenders like a pest.
Tyrese is really really good at taking those 30 footers. hes one of the most efficient long distance shooters even after his poor end to this season. those types of shots are what keeps defenders guessing and lets him pass and drive much easier. Hes also definitely improved his catch and shoot ability here recently.
The rest are good criticisms. Nembhard and Shep both need to improve shooting but for now Ill take Sheps corner threes because hes just a rookie. However, Nembhard is just bad at shooting even though he was really good last season. his jumper looked so smooth last year, whereas now it looks choppy.
The fouling from Nesmith and Ijax has also gotta stop. Its super annoying. Ijax could be getting a lot more time if it werent the case.
Toppin is such an inconsistent defender it pisses me off. He absolutely clamped up Jimmy Butler that game that Tyrese was out, and hes done it again to others. He also can get a block or 2 a game. But he does it so inconsistently that its maddening.
Finally, our free throws have just not been good this season all together. Our best foul baiters are Myles and Benn, and Benn stopped getting calls this season for whatever reason. Overall, pretty valid things that will hopefully change.
Man’s just roasted our entire team. Lol
They’re all pretty valid though. I give Neismith a pass though, because he often guards the the other teams best player. But Siakam definitely needs to get those free throws under control.
Specifically Hali needs to be going right to shoot for some reason. It’s no wonder people have kind of figured him out
Laughing at IJax leading the league in that fouls stat.
Nothing on JJ. Smart.
For Haliburton, he telegraphs his moves too much, in particular when he’s going to take a 3 point shot you can always tell.
Yes but TJM drives 4 times a possession… he really likes to embody the concept of the roundabout.