FIBA aka JJJ Glow Up with a little Santi

[VCfor3]

FIBA practice has started. Games will start before you know it and we will get to see JJJ and Santi on the international stage. Camp so far has gone well for JJJ.

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It'll be interesting to see how he gets used on offense.

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[VCfor3]

Full schedule: https://www.nba.com/news/fiba-basketball-world-cup-2023-schedule

USA
Sat 8/26 - 8:40AM EST vs New Zealand
Mon 8/28 - 8:40AM EST vs Greece
Wed 8/30 - 4:40AM EST vs Jordan

Spain plays same days at 9:30AM EST each time #Santi

[VCfor3]

Good start for JJJ

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[esvl]

I look forward to watching Santi more than JJJ.

[MemphisX]

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[esvl]

Santi looks pretty good and still growing… Handling and court vision improved dramatically…

[VCfor3]

If Santi pops, he'd be huge for us off the bench

[esvl]

If Santi pops, he'd be huge for us off the bench

I see him in a starting 5 with this type of game

[psman2]

If Santi pops, he'd be huge for us off the bench

I see him in a starting 5 with this type of game

I think that might be the case if we don't think we have enough shooting on the floor with the Smart/Adams combo not offering enough space. Adams might have to transition to a 20+ minute situational backup, plays more against some teams and less against others.

[esvl]

If Santi pops, he'd be huge for us off the bench

I see him in a starting 5 with this type of game

I think that might be the case if we don't think we have enough shooting on the floor with the Smart/Adams combo not offering enough space. Adams might have to transition to a 20+ minute situational backup, plays more against some teams and less against others.

We need Adams against Jokic or Embid in PO. Otherwise, I would invest in Santi as a long-term asset. This kid is obviously special.

[VCfor3]

I'm still pumped at how good JJJ and especially Santi looked last game. Both were in the mix for best player on their team. JJJ's defense was excellent.

And esvl you may be right. If Santi continues to play this well I wonder if he would get a shot to start at SF for a game or two while Ja is out. If not then he still can get plenty of minutes off the bench so as to continue developing. Really just need a couple of our young guys to pop and we will be sitting pretty.

[esvl]

I'm still pumped at how good JJJ and especially Santi looked last game. Both were in the mix for best player on their team. JJJ's defense was excellent.

And esvl you may be right. If Santi continues to play this well I wonder if he would get a shot to start at SF for a game or two while Ja is out. If not then he still can get plenty of minutes off the bench so as to continue developing. Really just need a couple of our young guys to pop and we will be sitting pretty.

SF or PF?

[VCfor3]

I'm still pumped at how good JJJ and especially Santi looked last game. Both were in the mix for best player on their team. JJJ's defense was excellent.

And esvl you may be right. If Santi continues to play this well I wonder if he would get a shot to start at SF for a game or two while Ja is out. If not then he still can get plenty of minutes off the bench so as to continue developing. Really just need a couple of our young guys to pop and we will be sitting pretty.

SF or PF?

SF in the starting lineup, but I'd look for him to play most of his minutes during the game at PF.

[esvl]

I'm still pumped at how good JJJ and especially Santi looked last game. Both were in the mix for best player on their team. JJJ's defense was excellent.

And esvl you may be right. If Santi continues to play this well I wonder if he would get a shot to start at SF for a game or two while Ja is out. If not then he still can get plenty of minutes off the bench so as to continue developing. Really just need a couple of our young guys to pop and we will be sitting pretty.

SF or PF?

SF in the starting lineup, but I'd look for him to play most of his minutes during the game at PF.

Interesting. I don’t think I can name even a dozen of SF in this league who Aldama can effectively defend.

[psman2]

SF or PF?

SF in the starting lineup, but I'd look for him to play most of his minutes during the game at PF.

Interesting. I don’t think I can name even a dozen of SF in this league who Aldama can effectively defend.

That's ok ....there are only maybe a dozen PF/C he can guard right now too.

[esvl]

SF in the starting lineup, but I'd look for him to play most of his minutes during the game at PF.

Interesting. I don’t think I can name even a dozen of SF in this league who Aldama can effectively defend.

That's ok ....there are only maybe a dozen PF/C he can guard right now too.

Agreed, though I believe he can effectively guard PFs similar to him - those who lack strength or weight (hello Poku). The problem is that there is possibly a dozen of them in the league, if any.

[VCfor3]

Interesting. I don’t think I can name even a dozen of SF in this league who Aldama can effectively defend.

That's ok ....there are only maybe a dozen PF/C he can guard right now too.

Agreed, though I believe he can effectively guard PFs similar to him - those who lack strength or weight (hello Poku). The problem is that there is possibly a dozen of them in the league, if any.

Yeah his defense will need to develop, but it isn't like Luke Kennard is going to be a ton better. The hope is that JJJ cleans everything up behind him and that the offense is worth what you give up on defense.

[greekman]

Brooks playing great basketball

[esvl]

Brooks playing great basketball

Who do you want to shock here? He was great all his years in Memphis. He is a great player. But now we care about Smart, not Brooks.