Embiid vs. Wemby's Historic Showdown & NBA Rookie Stars: Amen, Jaime, Hawkins and More

Welcome to the NBA Librarian Weekly, where we curate and summarize the best NBA content of the week.

In Today's Edition:

1. Joel Embiid’s Historic Night And Season

2. Amen Thompson’s Potential is Starting to Show

3. Jordan Hawkins: The Next Great Shooter

4. Victor Wembanyama is BETTER than anticipated

5. The Rising Ceiling of Jaime Jaquez Jr.

6. Will Hardy - The Best Coach in the NBA?

7. Franz Wagner on Second Spectrum, USA v. Euro

NOTE: We extend our deepest condolences to the Golden State Warriors organization for the loss of Dejan Milojević. As an esteemed assistant coach, his untimely passing at 46 has left a profound impact. The NBA community mourns a beloved member, reminding us of the strong brotherhood that defines this league. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the Warriors during this difficult time. His legacy and contributions to the game will be remembered and cherished.

Also, please take a look at the Basketball Intelligence newsletter. It's a fantastic source of inspiration for the articles and content I choose to include in mine:

Joel Embiid’s Historic Night And Season

Last night, Joel Embiid scored 70 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists against Wemby and the Spurs. A stat line never done before in the NBA.

He’s averaging 44 points per game in his last five games. His incredible performance is so noteworthy that it cannot be confined to just one article.

Therefore, here are three pieces that explore different aspects of Embiid's season: Seerat Sohi examines how changes in his game have transformed his offense, as well as his elite historical mid-range shooting, Todd Whitehead focuses on the most efficient, highest-usage seasons, and another piece by David Aldridge delves into the historical impact of Embiid's game last night.

Amen Thompson’s Potential is Starting to Show

Amen Thompson recently had his first start for the Rockets against the Boston Celtics, the top team in the NBA. He delivered an impressive performance with 15 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, and a steal.

1. On offense, @bjpf_ highlights Thompson's increased role as a cutter and his effectiveness as a finisher around the rim with his athletic tools and touch with video and numbers to back it up.

2. Defensively, @Itamar_17_10 showcases Amen’s defensive metrics both on and off the ball as well as video highlights of how he moves defensively — including a game saving block in the final minute.

He’s definitely someone to watch the second half of this season.

Jordan Hawkins: The Next Great Shooter

YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9BUZfXB4Hw

AlexHoops does a great job highlighting Jordan Hawkins' impact on the New Orleans Pelicans recent success. Key takeaways:

1. Effective Off-Screen Plays: Hawkins excels as a movement shooter, a valuable archetype in today's NBA. Hawkins' ability to quickly transition from moving off a screen to shooting allows the Pelicans to execute set plays with high success rates.

2. High Scoring Efficiency: Hawkins has been highly efficient in scoring off screens, surpassing even Steph Curry in points per possession in this context. Check out the graphic above!

3. Creating Off the Three-Point Line: Hawkins also demonstrates an ability to score in mid-range and at the rim, especially when defenses focus on his three-point shooting.

4. Team Strategy and Spacing: Hawkins' presence on the court increases the Pelicans' three-point shooting frequency, addressing one of the team's main concerns. His ability to "warp defenses" simplifies the Pelicans' offense, reducing the effort needed for scoring.

Jordan Hawkins is not only a standout rookie shooter but also a dynamic player whose movement shooting, playmaking, and impact on team spacing and offense make him a valuable asset to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Victor Wembanyama is BETTER than anticipated

JxmyHighroller’s videos are always very well edited, researched and done in a way that etches narrative, story telling and visuals very well.

He highlights how rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama has been even better than anticipated. Key takeaways:

1. Statistical Dominance: In his first 36 games, Wembanyama is averaging nearly 20 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and over 4 combined steals and blocks per game – a stat line unprecedented for a rookie. NOTE: In his last 11 games, Wemby is averaging 24.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists with 3.5 blocks on .533/.345/.866 splits(!)

2. Comparison with Other NBA Greats: Wemby’s rookie performance is compared with other NBA legends like Shaquille O'Neal, David Robinson, Tim Duncan, and others, but his stats are superior, especially considering his limited playtime and advanced metrics.

3. Age Factor: Much of Wemby’s performance is more impressive considering he's only 20 years old, making his achievements as a teenager stand out even more. He compares his numbers as a teenager to other greats at the same age.

4. Defensive Prowess: Wembanyama not only excels in unprecedented scoring efficiency for a rookie teenager but also shines defensively, demonstrating exceptional interior defense, instincts and metrics.

The video concludes with comparing Wemby’s early performance to Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis suggesting he might be more skilled offensively and defensively than these players were at the same stage. Definitely check it out!

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The Rising Ceiling of Jaime Jaquez Jr.

The video effectively showcases Jaime Jaquez Jr.'s versatile gameplay, enhanced with humorous elements for an engaging watch. Key aspects include:

1. Jaquez Jr.'s strategic cuts and movements, pivotal in drawing defenses and creating scoring opportunities, significantly contribute to the Miami Heat's success.

2. His proficiency in three-point shooting stands out, hitting 44% of uncontested shots. However, there's room for improvement in contested scenarios, where his percentage drops to 21.4%.

3. As the season progresses, Jaquez Jr. demonstrates improvement, particularly in post-up situations. His skillful use of footwork, body positioning, and various offensive moves echoes the style of late great, Kobe Bryant.

The discussion raises the potential of Jaquez Jr. evolving into a top 50 NBA player, emphasizing the trend of discovering highly skilled players in the mid-to-late first round of the draft. Check it out!

Will Hardy - The Best Coach in the NBA?

The Utah Jazz's remarkable turnaround this season, from a shaky 7-16 start to an impressive 21-20 record, is a testament to Coach Will Hardy's masterful lineup tinkering. Here are my key takeaways:

1. The introduction of Italian rookie Simone Fontecchio into the starting lineup, resulting in an 8-1 record for the Jazz with him on the floor, has been a game-changer. His sharpshooting and adept ball movement, combined with the team's Spurs-like, egalitarian approach to playtime, have transformed the Jazz into a formidable opponent.

2. Their offense, a mesmerizing blend of read-and-react plays and fluid off-ball movement, is anchored by Lauri Markkannen, whose off-the-ball presence and decisive shot-making is reminiscent to how the Pacers used Reggie Miller back in the 90’s

3. The Jazz's strategy of deploying dynamic duos like Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton, who excel in driving and creating plays, adds layers of complexity to their offense. Clarkson, in particular, with his top-tier drives per game, brings an 'irrational confidence' off the bench that keeps defenses on their toes.

This team isn't just a collection of players; it's a symphony of strategic movements, where each player's role is crucial, yet fluid.

Franz Wagner on Second Spectrum, USA v. Euro

I really enjoyed this interview with Franz. My favorite parts included:

1. Redick's enthusiasm about how Franz uses Second Spectrum to analyze his game, focusing on players like Shai, Luka, and Jimmy. He examines how they decelerate in the paint to balance and secure a higher percentage shot, elements visible in Franz's game this season.

2. Discussion about Jalen Suggs' improvement this season.

3. The experience of living and playing with his brother, Mo Wagner.

4. The differences between Euro basketball and the NBA, emphasizing the unique pride in playing for one's country outside the US.

Additionally, they delve into Paolo's leadership, among other fun topics.

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