Can we talk about how important JJJ is?

#2
#2
Tennessee Vols Fan!!!! said:
For all the crap he has gotten, the guy can flat out ball. Literally can play all positions, has improved his perimeter shooting and is a major asset to this team.

I'd hate to see where we would be without him
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If he spends this offseason ironing out his shot to where he’s a consistent 3pt, mid range, FT shooter he damn well may end up getting drafted.
 
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#4
#4
bleedingTNorange said:
If he spends this offseason ironing out his shot to where he’s a consistent 3pt, mid range, FT shooter he damn well may end up getting drafted.
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He’s a glue guy. He does a little bit of everything and fills the gap for whatever is needed against our opponent. There’s a very fine line for him between being assertive and forcing things. When he finds it, he looks like the 5-star player that we thought he was coming in. When he doesn’t he can still help us in other ways as long as he doesn’t kill us on offense. He has down that at times but has been better about not doing so the last 6 weeks or so.
 
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#5
#5
It’s pretty obvious that the team struggles mightily when JJJ misses extended time with foul trouble. Shoot last night I think we were up 6 when he subbed out and down 3 when he came back in. I was at the game so I might be a little off on those numbers. either way, he is extremely important to this team.
 
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#6
#6
His defensive prowess is 2nd to none. He should attack the rim done hill more imho. He has ball handling skills and if he would drive more I think he’d get a more offensive flow…confidence builder for him. Sometimes I think for him the offensive side of the ball game is mental.
 
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#8
#8
He had two really really bad fouls late game yesterday that are nearly inexcusable for a junior. I don't know what's gotten into him lately, but he's fouled out of 3 of the last 4 games. He needs to get that under control and play with more awareness at times. He's too valuable to us to have to sit with foul trouble and it could be really costly as we approach one and done season.
 
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#9
#9
JJJ is a guy that every championship team has, but he has to be slotted into his proper role. I've said this a few times but he is similar to Draymond Green in that you're an elite team when he is option 3 or lower, but you're awful when he is your top option.
 
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#11
#11
VolArmy74 said:
He had two really really bad fouls late game yesterday that are nearly inexcusable for a junior. I don't know what's gotten into him lately, but he's fouled out of 3 of the last 4 games. He needs to get that under control and play with more awareness at times. He's too valuable to us to have to sit with foul trouble and it could be really costly as we approach one a done season.
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I only saw the one on Smith’s 3 point shot late. I do agree with your premise that he shouldn’t have even put himself in that position. But that’s another rule that the NBA changed over 10 years ago. KD was known for the rip-through move to cause contact on a shot. The NBA now calls it as a non-shooting foul. Smith essentially did that when JJJ was not touching him, but Smith ripped through to shoot it (and made it).
 
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#12
#12
I think fans recognize that, while his shooting is a weakness at times, he brings a lot of other things to the table. He's a kind of swiss army knife type player that every championship caliber team has. A guy who doesn't need the spotlight and makes those around him better.
 
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#13
#13
VolGee4 said:
I only saw the one on Smith’s 3 point shot late. I do agree with your premise that he shouldn’t have even put himself in that position. But that’s another rule that the NBA changed over 10 years ago. KD was known for the rip-through move to cause contact on a shot. The NBA now calls it as a non-shooting foul. Smith essentially did that when JJJ was not touching him, but Smith ripped through to shoot it (and made it).
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He also fouled Smith with 1:08 to go while we were up 9 and sent him to the ft line. Never foul in that situation. It's better to give up a lay up than to stop the clock.
 
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#14
#14
Good thread. Was thinking the same thing yesterday. Lots of good analysis and comparisons above. Need him to keep improving for a deep run this year and next.
 
#18
#18
VolArmy74 said:
He had two really really bad fouls late game yesterday that are nearly inexcusable for a junior. I don't know what's gotten into him lately, but he's fouled out of 3 of the last 4 games. He needs to get that under control and play with more awareness at times. He's too valuable to us to have to sit with foul trouble and it could be really costly as we approach one and done season.
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I know a defensive drill that would help him for sure. Growing up, my pops always said “son it doesn’t matter how many points you score if you can’t stop the other team from scoring”... he would have me tie my hands behind my back and guard different positions one on one. If there’s one thing it taught me was I better move my stinkin’ feet or I’m gonna get left in the dust. Playing defense with your hands will get some players in a lot of trouble. I think that’s what gets JJJ in trouble sometimes is using too much hands. Don’t get me wrong.. he’s a top tier defensive player but he can get a little lazy at times and tries to use his hands to defend which hurts him.
 
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#19
#19
He’s definitely one of Tennessee best all around players.

While he definitely needs to work on his shot……I also hope he works hard on his ability and confidence to just drive to the rim.

He is a big and strong kid. I’m not a guru but I “think” he has all the skills and tools necessary to drive to the basket much more often……..thus gaining a much easier shot, % wise.
 
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#20
#20
We dang sure wouldn’t be tied for second without him for sure. I would like to see him along with all of our left handed players improve and use their right hands some more especially on lay ups. Regardless he’s one we can’t do without. Glad he’s a Vol.
 
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#21
#21
Thunder Good-Oil said:
I thought that JJJ was going to be the primary defender on Jabari Smith. Seems like it was mostly BHH and Aidoo drawing the assignment.
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Yea, they ran a bunch of different guys at Smith which probably kept him from getting too comfortable. Seemed the scout regardless of defender was be physical, get into him and make him dribble into a shot rather than just a pull up J, yes he got his but overall gotta be happy with the results.
 
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#22
#22
JoAllan said:
He’s definitely one of Tennessee best all around players.

While he definitely needs to work on his shot……I also hope he works hard on his ability and confidence to just drive to the rim.

He is a big and strong kid. I’m not a guru but I “think” he has all the skills and tools necessary to drive to the basket much more often……..thus gaining a much easier shot, % wise.
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I believe it's time to give up on JJJ becoming an all around offensive threat. He's just too stiff of an athlete. He lacks a good first step and isn't the strongest ball handler either.

If he can develop his jumpshot a bit more he'll be one of the best 3&D players in the country, which i'll gladly take.
 
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#23
#23
hUTch2002 said:
He’s a glue guy. He does a little bit of everything and fills the gap for whatever is needed against our opponent. There’s a very fine line for him between being assertive and forcing things. When he finds it, he looks like the 5-star player that we thought he was coming in. When he doesn’t he can still help us in other ways as long as he doesn’t kill us on offense. He has down that at times but has been better about not doing so the last 6 weeks or so.
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i just wish he would take it to the rim, we need him to do that
 
#24
#24
Tennessee Vols Fan!!!! said:
For all the crap he has gotten, the guy can flat out ball. Literally can play all positions, has improved his perimeter shooting and is a major asset to this team.

I'd hate to see where we would be without him
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UT's success depends a lot on JJJ, whether it's rebounding, defense, or scoring. I would like to see a consistent 10-12pts a game from him, sometimes more. He has all the physical tools to take a game over with his midrange and driving skills. Wish he would man up and forget about settling for 3s. It's never been his game . He needs to run that baseline like AS did and take it to the hole every chance he can. Man's Jam.
 
#25
#25
Thunder Good-Oil said:
I thought that JJJ was going to be the primary defender on Jabari Smith. Seems like it was mostly BHH and Aidoo drawing the assignment.
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You also might have noticed the last 6-8 minutes on switches, KC rotated down on Smith and Tennessee was perfectly fine with that. Seems Kennedy’s wingspan makes his height less a negative. I also noticed that only once did Auburn try to go to Smith when KC was defending.
 
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