06-15-2022, 03:16 PM
Cato on Josh Green grade
Green’s emergence occurred in the weeks prior to our midseason grades. In the months that followed, Green averaged more than 18 minutes while playing in every one of the season’s final 50 games. His most electric moments came in those early weeks; opponents began playing him for the pass and, at times, daring him to shoot. He shot about 35 percent on 3s in those final 50 games, and I believe he’ll continue growing more confident and effective behind the arc. But there’s more development needed, not just more made jumpers, but more defensive consistency, more purpose when driving and simply more impact in his minutes. Because he’s still 21, there’s reason to believe he’ll get there.
And Frank
Ntilikina, remarkably, is only 23 years old. There’s probably still untapped development for him in the coming seasons. It would be helpful to streamline his role; he needs to view himself as a 3-and-D wing, not the point guard he was drafted as, someone who can meaningfully attack closeouts and make high-level passing reads, not someone tasked with creating or initiating offense. That, plus his developing jumper plus his defensive ferocity, could turn him into an every-game rotation player. His development also could stall, which would probably mean he’s out of the league within a couple seasons. But when we discuss Nico Harrison’s tenure, it was smart work to sign Ntilikina to a non-guaranteed second year. If he were unrestricted this summer, another team might have seen enough to toss him something slightly above the league minimum. Instead, I’m pretty certain he’ll be back with a chance to showcase those needed improvements.
Green’s emergence occurred in the weeks prior to our midseason grades. In the months that followed, Green averaged more than 18 minutes while playing in every one of the season’s final 50 games. His most electric moments came in those early weeks; opponents began playing him for the pass and, at times, daring him to shoot. He shot about 35 percent on 3s in those final 50 games, and I believe he’ll continue growing more confident and effective behind the arc. But there’s more development needed, not just more made jumpers, but more defensive consistency, more purpose when driving and simply more impact in his minutes. Because he’s still 21, there’s reason to believe he’ll get there.
And Frank
Ntilikina, remarkably, is only 23 years old. There’s probably still untapped development for him in the coming seasons. It would be helpful to streamline his role; he needs to view himself as a 3-and-D wing, not the point guard he was drafted as, someone who can meaningfully attack closeouts and make high-level passing reads, not someone tasked with creating or initiating offense. That, plus his developing jumper plus his defensive ferocity, could turn him into an every-game rotation player. His development also could stall, which would probably mean he’s out of the league within a couple seasons. But when we discuss Nico Harrison’s tenure, it was smart work to sign Ntilikina to a non-guaranteed second year. If he were unrestricted this summer, another team might have seen enough to toss him something slightly above the league minimum. Instead, I’m pretty certain he’ll be back with a chance to showcase those needed improvements.