Kawhi became one of the most proficient pull-up players ever and effectively used his strength to initiate (and minimize the effects of) contact. Both of those contribute to his foul drawing prowess.
I don’t anticipate Devin to become either as strong as Kawhi or as intimidating a pull up threat, but I think he’s moving in the right direction with both and will also be more intentional about trying to draw fouls this season.
Icy-Mix8652
If healthy Kawhi was probably the best player in the league the last 5 years, ant comparison is unfair.
Zeee-Jay
Kawhis increase correlates to when the offense ran through him. Pop didn’t give him many plays the first couple years.
So no don’t expect a huge jump. Plus Wemby will draw plenty.
Thehelloman0
No. Devin has gotten better at drawing contact but still avoids contact a lot and relies mostly on his outside shot. Kawhi started out way bigger than Devin. Just look at Kawhi’s rebounding numbers even when he was a rookie, you don’t get that many by not being physical.
Imaginary-Cycle-1977
Kawhi’s about as physically imposing as it gets for a player w his skill and shooting ability. He could initiate and absorb contact better than maybe any wing in the league
I expect Dev to get better at getting to the line, but it’s prob not realistic to expect him to match a first ballot hall of famer
DevilGunManga
No. Devin and Kawhi play style is very different. Kawhi creates a lot off dribble. Devin is elite at catch&shoot. Kawhi can bulldoze to finish at the rim whole Devin mostly stays at perimeter and avoid contact.
paxusromanus811
Honestly no. That’s just not Devin’s game right now. A lot of his game is still based around high volume perimeter shooting and his style of play is based around using his length and smoothness to avoid contact instead of initiating it. He’s going to have a good year, but I don’t think he’s going to be a particularly high volume player when it comes to free through attempts. Though, I definitely expected to go up
Bonesawisready5
I certainly fucking hope so
Equivalent_Bet1519
Vassell doesn’t have Kawhi’s strength or athleticism. That’s really his biggest weakness is he doesn’t possess either to get down low like even Keldon Johnson can
When the shot is falling he looks like a superstar (1st half of last night) when it’s not, he looks invisible (2nd half)
Nickname-CJ
Devin has to be more of a threat at the rim to get more foul calls
cool_coyote
You have to be somewhat physically imposing and great at finishing at the rim to be a great foul drawer. Kawhi was awesome at both.
Don’t get me wrong, Vassell is incredibly good in his own right though, as a catch and shoot artist. He just doesn’t have the body or the elite finishing skills to ever be as good as Kawhi.
He can certainly get a little more crafty there and improve his foul rate numbers, sure, but I don’t think that will ever be a true part of his bag offensively. He will continue to shoot middies and avoid going to the basket till we’re all dead and gone.
And honestly I’m fine with that so long as his defensive output becomes stellar, which I hope is the case going into this season.
11 Comments
Kawhi became one of the most proficient pull-up players ever and effectively used his strength to initiate (and minimize the effects of) contact. Both of those contribute to his foul drawing prowess.
I don’t anticipate Devin to become either as strong as Kawhi or as intimidating a pull up threat, but I think he’s moving in the right direction with both and will also be more intentional about trying to draw fouls this season.
If healthy Kawhi was probably the best player in the league the last 5 years, ant comparison is unfair.
Kawhis increase correlates to when the offense ran through him. Pop didn’t give him many plays the first couple years.
So no don’t expect a huge jump. Plus Wemby will draw plenty.
No. Devin has gotten better at drawing contact but still avoids contact a lot and relies mostly on his outside shot. Kawhi started out way bigger than Devin. Just look at Kawhi’s rebounding numbers even when he was a rookie, you don’t get that many by not being physical.
Kawhi’s about as physically imposing as it gets for a player w his skill and shooting ability. He could initiate and absorb contact better than maybe any wing in the league
I expect Dev to get better at getting to the line, but it’s prob not realistic to expect him to match a first ballot hall of famer
No. Devin and Kawhi play style is very different. Kawhi creates a lot off dribble. Devin is elite at catch&shoot. Kawhi can bulldoze to finish at the rim whole Devin mostly stays at perimeter and avoid contact.
Honestly no. That’s just not Devin’s game right now. A lot of his game is still based around high volume perimeter shooting and his style of play is based around using his length and smoothness to avoid contact instead of initiating it. He’s going to have a good year, but I don’t think he’s going to be a particularly high volume player when it comes to free through attempts. Though, I definitely expected to go up
I certainly fucking hope so
Vassell doesn’t have Kawhi’s strength or athleticism. That’s really his biggest weakness is he doesn’t possess either to get down low like even Keldon Johnson can
When the shot is falling he looks like a superstar (1st half of last night) when it’s not, he looks invisible (2nd half)
Devin has to be more of a threat at the rim to get more foul calls
You have to be somewhat physically imposing and great at finishing at the rim to be a great foul drawer. Kawhi was awesome at both.
Don’t get me wrong, Vassell is incredibly good in his own right though, as a catch and shoot artist. He just doesn’t have the body or the elite finishing skills to ever be as good as Kawhi.
He can certainly get a little more crafty there and improve his foul rate numbers, sure, but I don’t think that will ever be a true part of his bag offensively. He will continue to shoot middies and avoid going to the basket till we’re all dead and gone.
And honestly I’m fine with that so long as his defensive output becomes stellar, which I hope is the case going into this season.