Kai Jones vs Puerto Rico 2024/02/25: 14 PTS (2PT 5/5, 3PT 1/3, FT 1/1), 9 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 2 BLK, 2 TO, 2 PF

7 comments

1. Interview: https://youtu.be/i8czpFXy2O8

   * He wants to learn about habits from vets (staying consistent, taking care of body, mental approach, on-court stuff like screening and pace of play, …etc.)
   * “I see that I can be a lob threat, somebody that can cut from the corner, finish above the rim, and protect the rim as well. That’s what I see, a lot of high motor plays and playing hard.”
   * Lawrence Frank told him he’s interested in his long-term development

2. This is dude is balling.

3. lots of raw athleticism we have been missing at the 4/5. will be a great back up to Zu, not sure how he would fit the 4 spot with our current rotation without sitting someone. I hope we can further develop his bball iq. Then he can amount to something for us.

4. Put him in the rotation idgaf

5. I’ve seen enough, I fully expect him to shoot 100% this playoffs

6. I kinda doubt he helps us much in the playoffs (I’d LOVE to be proven wrong, but that’s a steep ass ramp up), but I like this for the future. Bones has shown some flashes of being pretty damn solid, and I could see a world where we develop those two into our key young players. Hopefully they start to ramp up under our last years with our current guys (whatever will be left of Kawhi, PG, Harden, and WB), and smoothly transition into plus level starters. As the old core goes off the books, that should open up some cap space and let us hit the market hard. Hopefully pick up two high end max contract guys (a small forward and a guard, probably), hold on to Zu, and we have a fine starting lineup there. Mann should stick around, and hopefully Coffey, Kobe, and some other kids can continue to take steps forward. Supplement that with our trademark move (find a few veteran players on minimum contracts, and breath new life into their careers), and that’s a pretty solid team.

   We are in a bit of a rough place for now, what with our draft pick situation. But, this seems like the way forward. The trick is that we gotta do everything right: develop this kids right, pick the stars right, and go after the right vets. Its do-able, and I trust the logo a lot here, but the path feels pretty narrow. Part of why I’m a little bummed we lost Primo here – he would have given us another bite of the apple if Kai or Bones fail to take that next step. But, who knows – maybe there are other options out there we can keep looking at.

7. Still has a long ways to go on shooting, but he’ll be a good lob threat and defensive presence in the playoffs. Will match well with Harden’s lobs