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One of the great unknowables of JK is what would have happened if he got all he could eat on a crap team. In one theory, he would have improved by trying out many concepts and moves in real games without pressure. In another theory, he would have learned little of the skills and attitude relevant for winning ball.

No one committed to either theory can ever be convinced. But I’ve found it interesting to loosely follow Jalen Green’s development. He and JK started at similar development levels and played for Ignite together.

JG got all he could eat with bad HOU teams and now plays on a winning one. And he has the same EPM as JK (+0.2) and a reputation for being an erratic player. Not unlike JK’s rep. https://www.si.com/nba/rockets/news/jalen-green-extremely-important-houston-rockets

No conclusions, but an example of “all you can eat” not necessarily accelerating the growth process.

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It's also possible that some individuals would benefit more in one situation, and others more in the other.

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Yep. As I said, there is absolutely no way to disprove either theory. (Some philosophers of science would say that means neither one is a proper scientific theory since they aren’t falsifiable. I would agree with that.) However, I believe there is enough evidence to show neither theory is clearly right.

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I have always viewed JK as a really gifted athlete physically that did not receive great coaching when he was in HS and the G League. There has always been something a little off starting with his shot, which has improved some form wise.

He has had 4 years of high level coaching and mentoring so I would think he would be at a higher level of development. That injury really hurt in more ways than one. He is still only 22 so he certainly has plenty of time to get to a higher level, it is up to him.

This off season will be very interesting no matter what happens the rest of this season.

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Knowing at some level how to play the game is huge, that and he does not seem to have progressed much in 4 years does not bode well. We wasted a no1 pick on an athletic stud that did not know how to play the game as well.

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Is JP better now than when he was with the Warriors?

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In the Wizards games i’ve watched i’d say he’s playing at the levels he did in 2021-22, while also facing harder defensive coverage. So he’s a bit better, but to the degree that one would expect after years more experience.

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I don't think he's better, but I think he may be happier.

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Klay isn't complaining about JP taking his job, so I would assume so.

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Ryen Russillo was on the Bill Simmons podcast doing alternative NBA timelines, and his question of where we'd be today if Houston had taken Mobley instead of Green was a fascinating one.

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