Catching up with Spencer Hawes 9-23-08 (via kingsflix)

over 3 years ago KINGS.COM 10 comments 4 recs |

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Great video

But if his hook shot is going to be his go-to move this season, I hope he’s worked on it a lot since summer league.

A LOT!

Let's go home.-Kevin Martin

by LeaguePassAddict on Sep 24, 2008 4:18 PM PDT reply actions

I don't think there's anything

inherently wrong with his hook shot. His biggest problem is establishing and maintaining position on the post, so that the hook shot is reasonable. If he’s catching the entry pass 12 feet away from the basket and then getting the shot off from 15 feet, it’s a terrible shot. If it’s 6 and 8 feet, it’s a great shot.

I don’t think we’ll see a whole lot of improvement in those situations this season. That’s something that will take a couple more years while his body fills out to match his height. He says he’s been working on his strength, which is good, but he’s still skinny and just needs to bulk up a bit.

Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott

by Kfan in Korea on Sep 24, 2008 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions

agreed

He still looks like an adolescent rather than what JR likes to call “full grown.” I was hoping to see him fill out a bit more this year. Still, the kid definitely has got skills. Unfortunately, we fans will have to be patient for a while longer. Some guys keep growing into their early twenties and don’t fill out until their mid-20’s.

by Kusian on Sep 24, 2008 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions

What's wrong with his hook shot?

Only that he consistently missed it in the no-defense world of summer league.

I like the IDEA of him having a good, consistent hook shot. I just don’t think he has it yet.

And since you’re saying that he’s still not big enough to keep from being pushed around in the paint, I think that he’s going to have a hard time establishing his position down low to get the shot off and not get it blocked every time he puts it up.

Let's go home.-Kevin Martin

by LeaguePassAddict on Sep 24, 2008 6:04 PM PDT up reply actions

That's what I was saying

What’s wrong with his hook shot?
Only that he consistently missed it in the no-defense world of summer league.

I agree, but I think the problem is position. Many of his hook shots in the summer league were just too far from the basket. I don’t think the problem is the shot itself. I also don’t think it’s a viable NBA shot for him yet. Again not because he can’t shoot, but because he can’t get and hold position.

I wasn’t disagreeing with you, I was just adding what I thought was the real problem, and I may be wrong. It’s just my opinion.

Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott

by Kfan in Korea on Sep 24, 2008 6:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Haven't you learned that LPA is tricky to argue you with?

She argues out of both sides of her mouth IMO.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Sep 25, 2008 6:44 AM PDT up reply actions

to argue with you^

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Sep 25, 2008 6:44 AM PDT up reply actions

Ignoring my previous comment

I agree with Kfan. I think Spencer’s biggest issue is his weight because it affects how well he establishes positions down low.

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. It's simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get tangled, you tango on

by pookeyguru on Sep 25, 2008 6:48 AM PDT up reply actions

So, then, we agree

My point (and I do have one, pookey be damned) is that if Spencer is in love with his hook shot and views it as his go-to move right now, when he’s not big enough to hold his position, this is not a good thing.

It was terribly ineffective during summer league when nobody was playing defense. I shudder to think what will happen if he keeps trying that shot during the season when there are actual defenders in the paint.

Let's go home.-Kevin Martin

by LeaguePassAddict on Sep 25, 2008 8:51 AM PDT up reply actions

Yep

I worded my initial response poorly. It came across as an contradiction, but wasn’t intended that way.

Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott

by Kfan in Korea on Sep 25, 2008 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions