While we don't want to compare him to Emeka this year has been pretty impressive for Josh. I mean early on we weren't sure anything much had changed, but suddenly a couple game here and there. There was talk of certain match ups worked for Josh while he won't be really good against better big men or defenses. Well once we got half way through things became a little more consistent, there were signs. Then as we approached the last 10 games we aw something most of us don't believe, a potential really good 5 for 2 more years. As every game was played Josh showed us one or two things more he was learning from the staff, from experience and from just being a smart kid who figured it out the hard way. For instance today a couple things, both on ahead of the court passes he showed athleticism we hadn't really seen. The pass he corralled from Vital in the first half which was not a good pass in which he not only made a great catch but stopped himself from gong out of bounds and dribbled back to make a play. Tremendous hands, balance and the ability to get back to the t rim - another view of who he's becoming. Something similar on one of Jalen's passes ahead where he caught a tough one, stopped strong and ball faked for a lay in but a guard flipped it out on his way up. Still some athleticism we really haven't seen. If this kid does all the work in the summer, the weights to strengthen up what is already a solid frame and continue to work on the feet, shooting a bunch of 10-12 footers we may have something we weren't expecting before 2019.
Fun to see the improvemend, Polley too. I mean after his 5-6 gamer stretch where he struggled shooting the ball he's been on fire from deep. But may favorite today was the up fake from the 3, let his guy slide bu and took 2 dribble is for a 15 footer which hit nothing but twine. And his defense on the big kid on the block moved his feet followed the kids spin hands straight up and blocked his shot. His defense has slowing improved and he's long with work can be a huge factor on D. Strength over the summer is huge for him to keep moving levels.
Loved the enthusiasm they played with, Jalen was a huge factor he had a jump to his step today and made everyone else the same. They had fun, hope they have even more a lot next year.