Player The Uncertainty Realm of the Improved Jumpshot of Jeremy Sochan

[scott]

Ewww a 4 year contract?

I've give him the Charles Bassey contract. 4/10, none of it guaranteed.

That would pretty much be the only contract I'd accept for him.

 

[poopbox]

I've give him the Charles Bassey contract. 4/10, none of it guaranteed.

That would pretty much be the only contract I'd accept for him.

4 more years of sochan at any price is to much. 4 more minutes of him is to much tbh.

We need to turn that roster spot into a real nba player we can play.

 

[Corso]

Honestly, I should be starting.

And then I'll just grow a foot, learn to shoot, dribble and pass, and develop a time machine.

Who's going to argue against this?

I got the private jet fueled to take you straight to India for dat bone longening (spelled correctly) and then to Kobe's German medical team for dem baby fetus injections.

We will get you on the court in, say... 12 and a half hours not counting flight time?
Give, or take.

Then the Spurs medical team will shelve you till you need your extension and you didn't qualify for anything.
Give and take.

 

[ginobilized]

Here’s an interesting, systemic reason for Sochan’s decline. Not sure it’s 100% of the story, but, might hold some truth. If so, I bet they can unload him and get a better team defender.

—-—

Jeremy Sochan’s Dilemma: It’s Not a Shooting Problem — the System Has Shrunk His Defensive Value


Sochan has truly entered a hell-level predicament this season. This isn’t about whether he can make shots or not — it’s about a fundamental mismatch between his skill set and the defensive philosophy of the Spurs’ new defensive coach, Sean Sweeney. From the defensive scheme to role definition, the clash is evident almost everywhere.

And this kind of systemic incompatibility is far more damaging to a young player than poor outside shooting. The Spurs have clearly shifted toward a defense built on team rotations, early positioning, and collective coverage, while Sochan’s strengths lie in matchup-based, physical, one-on-one defense.

When defense is no longer an asset, offensive flaws are laid bare. The result is what we’re seeing now: a fall from a core starter to an unstable rotation role. Looking ahead, if the Spurs truly become active in the trade market, Editor N makes a bold prediction — Sochan could very well be the first name used as trade capital. Not because he lacks value, but because he may no longer be the right fit for San Antonio.



Undeniable Strength in On-Ball Defense

Sochan’s greatest value lies in his ability to guard positions 1 through 4, giving the team tremendous defensive flexibility. His fundamentals are solid: lateral movement, footwork, and close-contact defense are all strong. He uses his body and positioning to push opponents into uncomfortable areas.

He excels particularly in isolation defense, capable of suppressing star ball-handlers’ efficiency on a per-possession basis. He is one of the few true multi-position defenders in the league who can genuinely lock someone up one-on-one.

He also plays with toughness and edge. When a teammate is challenged, Sochan is often the first to step in. His physicality and defensive energy stand out. Whether on-ball or off-ball, he disrupts rhythm, cuts off driving lanes, breaks passing routes, and frustrates ball-handlers. These are his core defensive strengths — and the foundation of his NBA value.



Sweeney’s Defensive System: Rotation Over Isolation

Sweeney’s core belief is simple:



“You’re beaten by the ball, not by an individual.”

With Victor Wembanyama anchoring the paint, the Spurs’ defensive strategy is built on:

• Rapid rotations and close-outs

• Collective help and early collapse

• Using structure to cover individual weaknesses, rather than relying on one defender to shut down a matchup

When an opponent has a scorer, the Spurs no longer respond by assigning a single stopper. Instead, they send help, trap, force the ball out of their hands, and live with someone else taking the shot.

“Let Others Beat You.”

This naturally diminishes the value of traditional elite isolation stoppers. It’s no longer about how well you can guard one star — it’s about whether you can rotate early, recover on time, and maintain defensive connectivity.

And that is precisely where Sochan struggles.



Strengths Muted, Weaknesses Exposed

Sochan’s defensive identity is rooted in physical tools and matchup pressure:
long arms, quick lateral movement, positional versatility, and the ability to irritate opponents.

He thrives at slowing down players like Luka, forcing route changes, and disrupting rhythm in isolation.

But in the new system, the coaching staff isn’t asking him to lock down his man. Instead, they demand:

• Correct positioning

• Instant, decisive rotations

• Clear and consistent communication

• Anticipation of the entire floor

These are not Sochan’s strong suits.

The issues are increasingly apparent:

• Late rotations: over-helping and failing to recover to the corner, giving up open threes

• Inconsistent communication: missed calls and delayed switches

• Limited global awareness: ball-watching and slow reactions to the next action

• Hesitation: uncertainty against motion offenses, easily exploited

Once a defensive system emphasizes early positioning, Sochan’s improvisational, contact-driven style becomes a liability rather than an asset.



When Defense Drops, Offense Becomes Unforgivable

Once Sochan’s defense is no longer a reliable net positive, his offensive shortcomings —

• limited perimeter shooting

• inconsistent decision-making with the ball

• spacing issues

— can no longer be absorbed by the system.

The Spurs increasingly favor players who can execute team defense (such as Barnes and Harper) and wings who provide floor spacing, causing Sochan’s role to shrink naturally.

His on/off defensive numbers have declined compared to last season, reflecting a clear trend: when Sochan is off the floor, the team’s rotations are cleaner and perimeter defense more stable.



Sochan Hasn’t “Gotten Worse” — He’s Become “Less Compatible”

Sochan’s defensive talent still exists. But the Spurs have moved from individual reliance to system reliance, from isolation defense to rotation defense, from matchups to structure.

When the system changes, his value is inevitably diluted.

His dilemma is not about declining ability, but about being marginalized by a new defensive philosophy. Whether he can reclaim a meaningful role depends on one thing:

Can he transform from a talent-based defender into a system-based defender?

 

[scott]

I think I saw that same AI generated rationalization on Reddit...

In non-AI generated Sochan takes... I did see this interesting take: "Sochan was a Pop project. He's not a Mitch project"

 

[poopbox]

I think I saw that same AI generated rationalization on Reddit...

In non-AI generated Sochan takes... I did see this interesting take: "Sochan was a Pop project. He's not a Mitch project"

 

[k....]

its basically any offer he gets the spurs will not match. they don't want him, i am sure they have a min value in mind for depth but if sochan doesn't want to be here, they dont match out of spite.

 

[Raven_]

its basically any offer he gets the spurs will not match. they don't want him, i am sure they have a min value in mind for depth but if sochan doesn't want to be here, they dont match out of spite.

he's getting traded on the first opportunity

 

[STAT88]

Sochan is probably a biannual exception level player these days. What’s that.. $7M per year?

 

[Area 51.247]

Here’s an interesting, systemic reason for Sochan’s decline. Not sure it’s 100% of the story, but, might hold some truth. If so, I bet they can unload him and get a better team defender.

—-—

Jeremy Sochan’s Dilemma: It’s Not a Shooting Problem — the System Has Shrunk His Defensive Value


Sochan has truly entered a hell-level predicament this season. This isn’t about whether he can make shots or not — it’s about a fundamental mismatch between his skill set and the defensive philosophy of the Spurs’ new defensive coach, Sean Sweeney. From the defensive scheme to role definition, the clash is evident almost everywhere.

And this kind of systemic incompatibility is far more damaging to a young player than poor outside shooting. The Spurs have clearly shifted toward a defense built on team rotations, early positioning, and collective coverage, while Sochan’s strengths lie in matchup-based, physical, one-on-one defense.

When defense is no longer an asset, offensive flaws are laid bare. The result is what we’re seeing now: a fall from a core starter to an unstable rotation role. Looking ahead, if the Spurs truly become active in the trade market, Editor N makes a bold prediction — Sochan could very well be the first name used as trade capital. Not because he lacks value, but because he may no longer be the right fit for San Antonio.



Undeniable Strength in On-Ball Defense

Sochan’s greatest value lies in his ability to guard positions 1 through 4, giving the team tremendous defensive flexibility. His fundamentals are solid: lateral movement, footwork, and close-contact defense are all strong. He uses his body and positioning to push opponents into uncomfortable areas.

He excels particularly in isolation defense, capable of suppressing star ball-handlers’ efficiency on a per-possession basis. He is one of the few true multi-position defenders in the league who can genuinely lock someone up one-on-one.

He also plays with toughness and edge. When a teammate is challenged, Sochan is often the first to step in. His physicality and defensive energy stand out. Whether on-ball or off-ball, he disrupts rhythm, cuts off driving lanes, breaks passing routes, and frustrates ball-handlers. These are his core defensive strengths — and the foundation of his NBA value.



Sweeney’s Defensive System: Rotation Over Isolation

Sweeney’s core belief is simple:



“You’re beaten by the ball, not by an individual.”

With Victor Wembanyama anchoring the paint, the Spurs’ defensive strategy is built on:

• Rapid rotations and close-outs

• Collective help and early collapse

• Using structure to cover individual weaknesses, rather than relying on one defender to shut down a matchup

When an opponent has a scorer, the Spurs no longer respond by assigning a single stopper. Instead, they send help, trap, force the ball out of their hands, and live with someone else taking the shot.

“Let Others Beat You.”

This naturally diminishes the value of traditional elite isolation stoppers. It’s no longer about how well you can guard one star — it’s about whether you can rotate early, recover on time, and maintain defensive connectivity.

And that is precisely where Sochan struggles.



Strengths Muted, Weaknesses Exposed

Sochan’s defensive identity is rooted in physical tools and matchup pressure:
long arms, quick lateral movement, positional versatility, and the ability to irritate opponents.

He thrives at slowing down players like Luka, forcing route changes, and disrupting rhythm in isolation.

But in the new system, the coaching staff isn’t asking him to lock down his man. Instead, they demand:

• Correct positioning

• Instant, decisive rotations

• Clear and consistent communication

• Anticipation of the entire floor

These are not Sochan’s strong suits.

The issues are increasingly apparent:

• Late rotations: over-helping and failing to recover to the corner, giving up open threes

• Inconsistent communication: missed calls and delayed switches

• Limited global awareness: ball-watching and slow reactions to the next action

• Hesitation: uncertainty against motion offenses, easily exploited

Once a defensive system emphasizes early positioning, Sochan’s improvisational, contact-driven style becomes a liability rather than an asset.



When Defense Drops, Offense Becomes Unforgivable

Once Sochan’s defense is no longer a reliable net positive, his offensive shortcomings —

• limited perimeter shooting

• inconsistent decision-making with the ball

• spacing issues

— can no longer be absorbed by the system.

The Spurs increasingly favor players who can execute team defense (such as Barnes and Harper) and wings who provide floor spacing, causing Sochan’s role to shrink naturally.

His on/off defensive numbers have declined compared to last season, reflecting a clear trend: when Sochan is off the floor, the team’s rotations are cleaner and perimeter defense more stable.



Sochan Hasn’t “Gotten Worse” — He’s Become “Less Compatible”

Sochan’s defensive talent still exists. But the Spurs have moved from individual reliance to system reliance, from isolation defense to rotation defense, from matchups to structure.

When the system changes, his value is inevitably diluted.

His dilemma is not about declining ability, but about being marginalized by a new defensive philosophy. Whether he can reclaim a meaningful role depends on one thing:

Can he transform from a talent-based defender into a system-based defender?

Thanks for sharing this.

Even if it's Alien Intelligence generated, it's as cogent and concise an observation and explanation for Jeremy's struggles this year as any and a good overview of Sean Sweeney's defensive principles.

Another player with similar systems fit struggles is Ja Morant. What both Taylor Jenkins and Tuomas Iisalo expected of the team and him doesn't match his vision of how to play the game and his expressed frustrations led to team issues.

There was also a great article on Nikola Jokic in, I believe, 'The New Yorker' where he and others talked about how hard it was to pick up Michael Malone's offensive system, just unbelievably frustrating, until, one day, it wasn't.

It happens that players/employees/collaborators don't fit the system often. Probably 99% of the time it's not played out in such a highly visible space.

*Picked up the Alien Intelligence AI reference from Yual Noah Harari's 'Nexus'.

 

[eric365]

Is this a CIA pop move to give up on him this season?
He is restricted free agent and will sign for a very low number this summer. It will be easy to match.

 

[RC_Drunkford]

All I know is that he will be mad once he‘s on another team and think the Spurs sabotaged his contract year by sitting him

 

[spurraider21]

Is this a CIA pop move to give up on him this season?
He is restricted free agent and will sign for a very low number this summer. It will be easy to match.

he's only a restricted free agent if we offer him the RFA tender which is going to be about 9.5 mil for 1 year... no thanks

 

[Shmurs]

All I know is that he will be mad once he‘s on another team and think the Spurs sabotaged his contract year by sitting him

Good news for him, then, is that there’s another one right around the corner. And another one right after that. Plenty of exciting chances to get 1 year try out deals.

 

[KobesAchilles]

I do wonder what the Spurs are telling him this season. Bc they aren’t playing him on his contract season. If I were Sochan, I’d be asking for out of SA. It’d be a no hard feelings situation but if he isn’t getting playing time with so many people injured then he isn’t going to magically start playing now that everyone is healthy.

For his career, it would probably be best for him to go to the Jazz or the Wizards or the Nets. A team with a bunch of cap space that can sign him to a multiple year deal.

 

[LeBowen]

I do wonder what the Spurs are telling him this season.

I hope Mitch had a honest discussion with him and told him he won't play much until he develops a consistent jumpshot. That's the only truth.

For his career, it would probably be best for him to go to the Jazz or the Wizards or the Nets. A team with a bunch of cap space that can sign him to a multiple year deal.

I'm not sure about that.
If he's to stay in the league after his second contract, he needs to be a high energy role player with good fundamentals.
Playing on the Nets or the Wizards would do nothing for his development, as we've seen from Spurs tanking seasons.

I actually think Warriors would be his best chance. They really lack size on the wings and desperately need defenders. Maybe Draymond could teach him some of his dirty tricks.

I'd offer them a Horford-Sochan swap. Horford is injured right now, but he'd surely be a third string upgrade over Olynyk and Biyombo.

 

[Strategic]

Jeremy has the physical tools. I’m not sure if it’s a maturity thing, but he doesn’t seem right minded enough yet. That’s putting it as nice as I can. He reminds me of that cool friend in college that never had any money. We always invited him and everybody else picked up the tab. Question is, how low will the Spurs wait for him to develop, which is on him. Just to appease his loyal fans, I’d be okay with a 2.5 mil contract for him to see if he gets the clue.

 

[Shmurs]

Can anyone name a guy who went from lottery to DNP and also had no contract coming up - and then turned it around to become a rotation player on a different team like right away?

The “he’s a good player but…” or “on another team…” arguments don’t seem that grounded in reality. He’s most likely just not an NBA player. There are countless guys on earth who you can bring in to run around on the perimeter and shoot 30% on wide open corner 3’s. You can find them in Europe, or the G or the 2nd round. It’s a very basic and very easy archetype to locate. So why would anyone sign up for a guy with a creaky body who has professionalism issues and also a fairly gross body of work?

 

[PanameSpur]

Spurs quitting on Sochan is a terrible optic for the other FOs, whatever excuses or context you might add.

Hey let's try to be optimistic, it's not even half of the season yet, back against the wall who knows...^^

 

[Itzsoweezee]

WTF, did this dude just call him a “raisin”?

Yeah, this is not the first time gortat has said some racially coded stuff about Sochan. Fuck that guy.

 

[scott]

Can anyone name a guy who went from lottery to DNP and also had no contract coming up - and then turned it around to become a rotation player on a different team like right away?

The “he’s a good player but…” or “on another team…” arguments don’t seem that grounded in reality. He’s most likely just not an NBA player. There are countless guys on earth who you can bring in to run around on the perimeter and shoot 30% on wide open corner 3’s. You can find them in Europe, or the G or the 2nd round. It’s a very basic and very easy archetype to locate. So why would anyone sign up for a guy with a creaky body who has professionalism issues and also a fairly gross body of work?

Jalen Smith is the closest example of the top of my head. Was bad enough that Phoenix decline his 3rd year rookie option but immediately contributed with IND and has continued to be a decent role player for CHI

 

[Shmurs]

Yeah, this is not the first time gortat has said some racially coded stuff about Sochan. Fuck that guy.

Yes I’m sure he’s a flaming racist who is a part of the exact same norms and cultural references as you which is why he has been hired to be a part of Poland basketball which is multiple black players that they need engagement from, and this isn’t just your cultural misinterpretation combined with clunky translation.

 

[Shmurs]

Spurs quitting on Sochan is a terrible optic for the other FOs, whatever excuses or context you might add.

Hey let's try to be optimistic, it's not even half of the season yet, back against the wall who knows...^^

Not giving your draft pick a 2nd contract happens quite a bit. What optics are you worried about?

 

[poopbox]

I do wonder what the Spurs are telling him this season. Bc they aren’t playing him on his contract season. If I were Sochan, I’d be asking for out of SA. It’d be a no hard feelings situation but if he isn’t getting playing time with so many people injured then he isn’t going to magically start playing now that everyone is healthy.

For his career, it would probably be best for him to go to the Jazz or the Wizards or the Nets. A team with a bunch of cap space that can sign him to a multiple year deal.

The problem is...you know...he fucking sucks...so...hard to ask out where they might be nowhere to go. Nothing more than salary filler in a trade at this point.

 

[inagra]

Spurs quitting on Sochan is a terrible optic for the other FOs, whatever excuses or context you might add.

Hey let's try to be optimistic, it's not even half of the season yet, back against the wall who knows...^^

Lakers last first round pick to get a second contract was Bynum. Which was ages ago.

Knicks famously went a decade plus without a first rounder getting a second contract. No one cares.