Jake LaRavia Discussion: Lah-Rave-E-Ya!

He's better than just an expiring to be tossed in. A Big strong solid dude that has some game on offense, just needs to tighten his handle up for the fancier moves he's capable of doing and start shooting better. Good athleticism and good defense against multiple positions when switched. Smart player and rarely injured, not once yet for us that has kept him out of even one game this season, for as hard as he goes 100% every time on the floor. A number of years of improvement ahead. This is starting to sound like AR last year before you were willing to see if he could take his game to a higher level. And dirt cheap with his early Bird rights next year for his level of play and how it helps roster building.

 

yeah, and if we need to add salary to absorb someone in trade (e.g., we want someone making 30 but only have 20 left to spend), jake or knecht or both may have to be involved.

 

Better be markedly an upgrade over what Jake looks like next season if he's still here or this summer.

 

I hear you. Sort of like how I viewed Rui this season. He's too good to just be an expiring. Albeit, Rui is perceived better player, and had a perceived higher value. But there are teams that still want to be good and get some apron relief in the near future. We almost traded Rui to Cleveland for Hunter, for example. Teams like OKC, Cleveland, Orlando, and others.

 

Jake is like a lot of role players in the League. He is most effective in a limited amount of minutes. If you start giving these guys too many minutes or increased responsibilities, thier effectiveness tends to drop off.

 

Poor shooting = When he misses, he often misses badly. This makes him look like even worse of a shooter than he really is. Maybe other stuff-l like wide open looks conversion rates- im not sure. Dont have the data. But similar to Vando in terms of shooting.

Fouling = Seems to do it pretty often.

Turnovers = Seems to do it pretty often.

He's a solid passer, but we don't need him to be that. He's a solid wing defender, but can't really help with POA. He's good for switching I guess.

His game seems to be lot of driving to the basket and being kind of an offensive connector. He's not that fluid going to the basket though either. Doesn't have great hands, etc. Sort of like a Vando, but without the bad contract.

Solid rebounder for his position.

 

Jake is excellent in his role. Don’t agree with the takes here.

He is a good defender, maybe even really good at times. Yes he gets beat, but that’s part of defending without fouling, great offensive players are going to hit their shots. You just want to slow them down some. He slowed down SGA for the first quarter and battled hard against Flagg, who dismantled him.

Offensively he is a work in progress. If he gets his 3 shot to what it was last year, he is a 7th man that can fill in as a 5th starter. If he stays as he is, he is a good 8-10 guy. For 6 million that’s excellent value.

 

His best attributes are willingness to defend and hustle but he is so bad on offense . On a contender he is a 9-10 rotation guy

 

Jake shot 34% from three his rookie year, 34% his second year, 42% last year and 32% this year. Last year is looking like the clear outlier.

He's fine in his role, but if you need to send out a solid 8th man to get an actual starting caliber player you do it every time. It's easier to find another 8th man than a 5th starter. Like if the Nuggets say they need Jake back, in addition to a pick, to do a S&T this summer you clearly do that.

 

No doubt, I'm not saying we keep him at all costs. I'm saying he is excellent value for his role as an 8th-10th guy right now. If he develops a 3, he is a 7th guy or a spot starter.

 

I feel like a lot of people are sort of on the fence about the guy. I mean, he's just not very good. He's not very bad, either. I guess I'm indifferent about it. Is that good or bad? I have to keep kind of talking myself into the guy, what for? I wouldn't mind if he stays, and I wouldn't mind if he leaves either.

 

I just don’t agree with “he’s just not very good”. It won’t take much for him to be.

 

His role will be slotted down next year and that will help. Also I think there's something to all that additional PT and conditioning. Austin really struggled with that for years as his role and responsibilities scaled up, with them sharing an agent and being friends maybe Austin can give him some pointers or send him to his guy.

 

Jake is just a great role player. Playing second best defense on the team after Smart, crashes the offensive boards really hard, smart on rotations. When he is on offensively, we get a top 3&D player like we saw tonight. 16 points / 7 rebounds (3 offensive) / 4 assists / 3 steals and a block. If you can get 10/6/2/2 stocks consistently, he is worth the MLE and should be your 7th player or spot starter.

I believe he can get there.

 

Like what I said yesterday in reply to “he’s just not very good”. It wouldn’t take much. Plus 100% everything you said. He’s a Big strong dude who is athletic and quick. Starts scoring again and takes that handle to a higher level next season and we’ve really got an impactful player. At a teriffic price.

 

I don't even need him to fix the handle, just hit 36%+ from 3 and defend hard. I'm not expecting him to be a premier 3&D, I just want a solid rotation guy.