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Jeff Shao

@jeffonsports

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Most of us are pretty comfortable with Yaxel Lendeborg going in the 8-12 range at this point I think and that’s where I’d expect him to go. It speaks to how mature his game is for teams to mid lottery pick and someone who’ll be 24 on opening day, but that’s the kind of all around game Yaxel brings.

I mention Aaron Gordon as my main upside comp, which is a “role player” with an All Star’s impact. If Lendeborg can really create his own shot at the next level like that, he can even be a Jalen Johnson type player (which I know is ironic given they’re basically the same age). But different guys grow at different rates, and I wouldn’t rule out more development for Yaxel at all.

And while the playmaking is exciting, it’s probably more important for the three ball to be real first if Yaxel wants to stay on the court. by @jeffonsports

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6 months ago

Tracy McGrady was probably the closest thing any of them had ever seen to Kevin Durant at that point but KD had a good 3 inches on TMac with a wingspan just as crazy. If we’re removing winning nattys from the convo, you can make a legit argument KD was the best college player of the last 25 years. There’s only like 5 other guys I’d say have a case over him, both KD’s statistical production and tape from that single year were astounding by @jeffonsports

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2 years ago

You can tell Pat Spencer used to play lacrosse because this dude is absolutely fearless attacking the basket despite his size lol. When you spend a decade getting shoulder checked and whacked by sticks I guess a 7 footer in the paint seems a lot less scary.

His start at Northwestern is legitimately super impressive by the way. Big Ten is no joke and I doubt Spencer was putting in much individual hoops skill work during those four years of lacrosse. Definitely not as much compared to guys who, you know, were actually living and breathing basketball for a D1 team. Rest of his career doesn’t happen if he didn’t show enough during that half season to land a spot overseas. by @jeffonsports

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10 months ago

If you aren’t excited for Dwight Powell hoops I don’t want to be friends by @jeffonsports

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18 hours ago

That’s my short pitch for Ben Simmons this year. And look, I’m not going to die on this hill. It’s just for fun. You guys will make fun of me anyways for pitching this, I’m not gonna sweat it.

But shoot, I think he’s been moving really well on the preseason so far. Definitely not as fast as he was before but also looks a lot more aggressive just finding his shot. He will always have his flaws as a non-shooter but if he can actually score around the rim like he used to and be a positive defensive presence, this is a really valuable role player if you’re not relying on him to score 20 points a night. by @jeffonsports

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2 days ago

Look man, I think all three of the guys I named above fit Joe Mazzulla’s and the Celtics system/philosophy a lot better than Jaylen Brown. The issue is I’m still not fully trusting in that fifty threes a game no matter what system when they don’t have a crazy stacked team like 2024.

As much as I’ve criticized JB before, the dudes production is very durable in the postseason and he performs there. by @jeffonsports

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4 days ago

That 16 months in between should definitely be a huge benefit for Tyrese Haliburton. No more Ben Mathruin or Myles Turner now but they’ve got Ivica Zubac and Jarace Walker looking scary good recently too.

I can’t help but be fond of this crew for the most memorable playoffs run of my lifetime so far. Hoping they get another real shot at it with health this year. by @jeffonsports

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5 days ago

Will I hold out hope for a Ben Simmons revival?? Nah…but darn it I still want to see if he’s got it and will be rooting for it. The fact that he’s starting over $25 million a year Deandre Hunter is quite telling. Also rooting for Acuff as one of my favorite college players last year. by @jeffonsports

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7 days ago

Didn’t realize how much I missed Kyrie’s finishing bag inside that paint. We saw the lefty baby hook, a reverse, the spin and seal, this is really just art for him. by @jeffonsports

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8 days ago

I don’t think money issues will cloud the Knicks season this upcoming year. The disputes have been a tad over dramatized to me. These guys are all pros and if they win it all again shoot they probably all get paid whatever they want.

But I do think it reads likely KAT may be gone past this year. If Trae Young gets 215 million, I can promise there’s a market for KAT as well. by @jeffonsports

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10 days ago

If Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle can learn how to slow it down a little in the half court without rushing so many possessions… by @jeffonsports

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11 days ago

Difference between summer league and now has been huge! Think Aday Mara can be an energy back up as a rookie already. I suspect he’ll look a lot more suspect 40 minutes a night in a playoffs series but in 5 minute bursts before they can adjust a game plan, I think Mara is ready make an impact already as a backup. by @jeffonsports

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12 days ago