Player The "It's My Time" Busted Clocktower of Devin Vassell

[ambchang]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2000046467092766875

Lots of credit to Wemby on that one too. Shai saw Wemby and had to do a pivot. Otherwise he would've shot that without doing the spin.

 

[Exstatic]

Lots of credit to Wemby on that one too. Shai saw Wemby and had to do a pivot. Otherwise he would've shot that without doing the spin.

Wemby makes guys pick up their dribble who never do that. Once your dribble is no longer live, defense becomes much easier, even for stars.

 

[Ice009]

unless you think either of the above is a mirage, i dont see the urgency to move on. and its not like he's just doing this in a contract year. are his contract numbers great for us... no, not really. but its certainly not a problem just yet.

You know, I saw a bit of an interview (I don't know who the guy was), he was talking to Steph, Devin, Dylan before the game a few days ago and was asking them if they're gamers and stuff about cars etc. (I don't like that he was sort of egging Dylan on to buy an expensive car/s), but anyway, seems like Devin isn't a gamer or anything like that. He said he just likes to chill and I think he was saying he focuses on hooping, which I didn't think was the case. I thought he may have had a bunch of hobbies outside of basketball (seems he is into cars, though), but it seems he really cares about playing well and doing well on the basketball court.

He always seemed like a hard worker to me (Mitch has seen how hard he works and that's why I think Mitch stuck up for him a bit at the end of last season, especially coming starting out last season injured). Could it also be that he's gotten shit coaching the past years that has held him back a bit from reaching a higher place/more of his potential when he was younger (maybe he also doesn't have the highest BBIQ, but it seems he's really working on getting better at it now that he's gotten a bit older? Maybe the young guys have inspired him a little bit too)? I mean, he just wasn't in the best spot during critical development years/time. He had a different role as a 1 or 2 option before Victor, and they probably never emphasized defense when they were losing (Pop and his old coaching staff probably didn't help improve him much, and maybe the development coaches weren't that good either as other teams hired away a lot of the Spurs' staff over the years), team was a bit of a mess, then throw in the injuries on top of that, maybe he just wasn't in the best spot during critical development years. I would have been super happy if he reached that defensive potential he was touted with coming into the NBA and not trying to be Kobe lite on offense. What I like, though, is, that he seems to still be trying to improve and get there now. A lot of players this age are who they are and may not improve much (some still do), but Devin still seems like he's pushing to get better.

I also can't remember who it was, but one of the podcast hosts (edit : It was Bill Simmons [Bill also was raving about D-Harp and really, really likes him]) a few days before these past two cup games was saying they should try and trade Devin for TMIII, but I think I am now in the same boat as Scott and I don't think that would be the upgrade a lot of us thought it'd be. It could end up being a waste in assets trying to do something like that if Devin keeps playing like this and continues improving. The other host said to keep Devin and get TMIII without trading any of the big 4 or Kornet and just give up assets instead, but not sure that is even possible money wise.

 

[spurraider21]

You know, I saw a bit of an interview (I don't know who the guy was), he was talking to Steph, Devin, Dylan before the game a few days ago and was asking them if they're gamers and stuff about cars etc. (I don't like that he was sort of egging Dylan on to buy an expensive car/s), but anyway, seems like Devin isn't a gamer or anything like that. He said he just likes to chill and I think he was saying he focuses on hooping, which I didn't think was the case. I thought he may have had a bunch of hobbies outside of basketball (seems he is into cars, though), but it seems he really cares about playing well and doing well on the basketball court.

He always seemed like a hard worker to me (Mitch has seen how hard he works and that's why I think Mitch stuck up for him a bit at the end of last season, especially coming starting out last season injured). Could it also be that he's gotten shit coaching the past years that has held him back a bit from reaching a higher place/more of his potential when he was younger (maybe he also doesn't have the highest BBIQ, but it seems he's really working on getting better at it now that he's gotten a bit older? Maybe the young guys have inspired him a little bit too)? I mean, he just wasn't in the best spot during critical development years/time. He had a different role as a 1 or 2 option before Victor, and they probably never emphasized defense when they were losing (Pop and his old coaching staff probably didn't help improve him much, and maybe the development coaches weren't that good either as other teams hired away a lot of the Spurs' staff over the years), team was a bit of a mess, then throw in the injuries on top of that, maybe he just wasn't in the best spot during critical development years. I would have been super happy if he reached that defensive potential he was touted with coming into the NBA and not trying to be Kobe lite on offense. What I like, though, is, that he seems to still be trying to improve and get there now. A lot of players this age are who they are and may not improve much (some still do), but Devin still seems like he's pushing to get better.

I also can't remember who it was, but one of the podcast hosts (edit : It was Bill Simmons [Bill also was raving about D-Harp and really, really likes him]) a few days ago was saying they should try and trade Devin for TMIII, but I think I am now in the same boat as Scott and I don't think that would be the upgrade a lot of us thought it'd be. It could end up being a waste in assets trying to do something like that if Devin keeps playing like this and continues improving. The other host said to keep Devin and get TMIII without trading any of the big 4 or Kornet and just give up assets instead, but not sure that is even possible money wise.

would be one of barnes/kj along with olynyk or something like that

it would cost an absurd amount of picks to get done

 

[Exstatic]

You know, I saw a bit of an interview (I don't know who the guy was), he was talking to Steph, Devin, Dylan before the game a few days ago and was asking them if they're gamers and stuff about cars etc. (I don't like that he was sort of egging Dylan on to buy an expensive car/s), but anyway, seems like Devin isn't a gamer or anything like that. He said he just likes to chill and I think he was saying he focuses on hooping, which I didn't think was the case. I thought he may have had a bunch of hobbies outside of basketball (seems he is into cars, though), but it seems he really cares about playing well and doing well on the basketball court.

He always seemed like a hard worker to me (Mitch has seen how hard he works and that's why I think Mitch stuck up for him a bit at the end of last season, especially coming starting out last season injured). Could it also be that he's gotten shit coaching the past years that has held him back a bit from reaching a higher place/more of his potential when he was younger (maybe he also doesn't have the highest BBIQ, but it seems he's really working on getting better at it now that he's gotten a bit older? Maybe the young guys have inspired him a little bit too)? I mean, he just wasn't in the best spot during critical development years/time. He had a different role as a 1 or 2 option before Victor, and they probably never emphasized defense when they were losing (Pop and his old coaching staff probably didn't help improve him much, and maybe the development coaches weren't that good either as other teams hired away a lot of the Spurs' staff over the years), team was a bit of a mess, then throw in the injuries on top of that, maybe he just wasn't in the best spot during critical development years. I would have been super happy if he reached that defensive potential he was touted with coming into the NBA and not trying to be Kobe lite on offense. What I like, though, is, that he seems to still be trying to improve and get there now. A lot of players this age are who they are and may not improve much (some still do), but Devin still seems like he's pushing to get better.

I also can't remember who it was, but one of the podcast hosts (edit : It was Bill Simmons [Bill also was raving about D-Harp and really, really likes him]) a few days ago was saying they should try and trade Devin for TMIII, but I think I am now in the same boat as Scott and I don't think that would be the upgrade a lot of us thought it'd be. It could end up being a waste in assets trying to do something like that if Devin keeps playing like this and continues improving. The other host said to keep Devin and get TMIII without trading any of the big 4 or Kornet and just give up assets instead, but not sure that is even possible money wise.

The thing posters don’t realize is that if you trade for Pelicans TM III, he won’t be the same player here. With all the injuries to their stars over the years, he’s gotten a pretty heavy shot diet He won’t get that here. BEST case is 5th mouth at the trough, behind, Wemby,Fox, Castle, and Harper. He might not be able to thrive on that few shots,which is just more credit to Devin for adapting.

 

[scott]

the valid criticisms of devin over the last few years has been:

a) he plays an iso heavy game and pounds the air out of the ball, couldnt adjust to become a role player
b) he had gone from being touted as a 3&D guy to a negative defensive presence and a league average shooter (came into the season with a career 37% 3pt average and 80.6% FTs)

so with that, you had something like a less explosive Cam Thomas, which... yeah

but this year...

a) he has clearly bought into a smaller offensive role, but has balanced that with being more aggressive when the situation calls upon him to do so
b) his 3pt% this year so far is 39.7%, while his FT's are up to 87.7%, much more in line with a shooting specialist. his defense has also been noticeably more consistent. even if he's not the lockdown ace defender that we used to think he could be... we dont really need that anymore with Castle's emergence (and potentially Carter Bryant down the line)

unless you think either of the above is a mirage, i dont see the urgency to move on. and its not like he's just doing this in a contract year. are his contract numbers great for us... no, not really. but its certainly not a problem just yet.

I’ll add, that in addition to buying into that smaller offensive role this year, he is still capable of playing a larger role when needed, like when both Wemby and Castle were out. That is quite valuable!

 

[scott]

The thing posters don’t realize is that if you trade for Pelicans TM III, he won’t be the same player here. With all the injuries to their stars over the years, he’s gotten a pretty heavy shot diet He won’t get that here. BEST case is 5th mouth at the trough, behind, Wemby,Fox, Castle, and Harper. He might not be able to thrive on that few shots,which is just more credit to Devin for adapting.

Yeah, I can’t imagine how insufferable people would be if we traded Devin and picks for TMIII only to see TMIII turn into… Devin Vassell.

 

[spurraider21]

I’ll add, that in addition to buying into that smaller offensive role this year, he is still capable of playing a larger role when needed, like when both Wemby and Castle were out. That is quite valuable!

you're not adding, you are re-stating

"but this year...

a) he has clearly bought into a smaller offensive role, but has balanced that with being more aggressive when the situation calls upon him to do so"

you dont have a monopoly on giving vassell his flowers

 

[scott]

you're not adding, you are re-stating

"but this year...

a) he has clearly bought into a smaller offensive role, but has balanced that with being more aggressive when the situation calls upon him to do so"

you dont have a monopoly on giving vassell his flowers

My bad sir!

I’m running on very little sleep and the stinging defeat of overpriced craps

 

[SanAnSpursFan21]

Yeah, I can’t imagine how insufferable people would be if we traded Devin and picks for TMIII only to see TMIII turn into… Devin Vassell.

I’m with you guys on the Murphy thing, BUT isn’t his selling point his defense? I don’t know that too many are gawking at the offensive possibilities

 

[scott]

I’m with you guys on the Murphy thing, BUT isn’t his selling point his defense? I don’t know that too many are gawking at the offensive possibilities

TMIII is kind of like Devin in that regard. Was drafted as a 3&D, showed some D promise as a rookie, and it’s kind of fallen off a cliff since his focus has turned to scoring.

Maybe Murphy could return to defense, kind of like Devin has, with a lesser offensive role… but it’s a roll of the dice. I think the best thing TMIII has over Devin is his size, but Dev is a lot stronger.

 

[spurraider21]

TMIII is kind of like Devin in that regard. Was drafted as a 3&D, showed some D promise as a rookie, and it’s kind of fallen off a cliff since his focus has turned to scoring.

Maybe Murphy could return to defense, kind of like Devin has, with a lesser offensive role… but it’s a roll of the dice. I think the best thing TMIII has over Devin is his size, but Dev is a lot stronger.

murphy is also a much more explosive mover in general which puts all kinds of stress on defenses

 

[CGD]

Yeah, I can’t imagine how insufferable people would be if we traded Devin and picks for TMIII only to see TMIII turn into… Devin Vassell.

To be fair, I always wanted BOTH. I’m just not sure TM3 could consistently play up to the 4 though, which is the reason for my pause. I am definitely hot to trot on a long term HB replacement, though, and not sure CB will be ready next year.

 

[spurraider21]

devin actually becoming a sniper…now over 40% from 3

 

[LeBowen]

Not bad.

 

[NASpurs]

Kon Knipple at #3 is pretty crazy though.

 

[LeBowen]

Kon Knipple at #3 is pretty crazy though.

He's been amazing and if we didn't luck into Harper, I'm sure the Spurs would've tried to trade up to get him. Would be a perfect forward for us.
Looks like Klay that can actually dribble the ball.

 

[spursparker9]

Luka only 32% for 3p FG%? lol swear he is 2nd most dangerous player (only behind Curry) at the 3 point line

 

[spurraider21]

Kon Knipple at #3 is pretty crazy though.

tied for 2

 

[Exstatic]

Luka only 32% for 3p FG%? lol swear he is 2nd most dangerous player (only behind Curry) at the 3 point line

No, he’s actually pretty average. He just shoots ridiculous ones that frequently go in. He’s more Trae than Steph.

 

[bozhemoi]

Kudos to Devin. I like that he just lets it rip without thinking about it. He's supplying a threat which is much needed, and he's managing get his shots off even against close defenders. He's not a take-over player capable of dropping 30 point games, but he's becoming a really solid third or fourth threat teams have to worry about.

 

[Exstatic]

devin actually becoming a sniper…now over 40% from 3

He actually shot over 40% from 3 both years at FSU. Your take is “wow, this happened “. Mine is “what took so long”?

 

[spurraider21]

He actually shot over 40% from 3 both years at FSU. Your take is “wow, this happened “. Mine is “what took so long”?

Sure but after 5 years there’s a legit question if it would ever happen. He was billed as 3&d coming out so it was originally his expected outcome

 

[Area 51.247]

Luka only 32% for 3p FG%? lol swear he is 2nd most dangerous player (only behind Curry) at the 3 point line

Wonder what clutch 3p FG% rankings would look like? Seems like Luka and Victor might be high in those.

 

[Ariel]

He's been amazing and if we didn't luck into Harper, I'm sure the Spurs would've tried to trade up to get him. Would be a perfect forward for us.
Looks like Klay that can actually dribble the ball.

My guess is the Spurs top 4 was probably the exact same order as they went: #1 Flagg, #2 Harper, #3VJ, #4 Kon. If they hadn't lucked into a top 4 pick (pick 8-12) they'd probably have taken New Orleans offer for the pick (they started offering the same deal starting at 8 or 9 I think), if that offer wasn't on the table my guess is they'd have selected Carter Bryant as early as #8. I love Harper and wouldn't trade him for anyone this side of Flagg but yeah, Kon would also be perfect on this team.