Is Jaxson figuring some things out?

He's back to playing with energy and seems to know he can lose his minutes at any time.

Maybe that's all he needs to wake up, just a couple weeks of benching a year. He's looking alot more like the Jax we seen post ASB last season.

We’ll see. We’ve said this in stretches for previous seasons. I’m not convinced yet. Glad he’s playing well enough to at least improve his trade value

He's been really good for 10 games now

13/5 with 2 blocks in 16 mins tonight

Since fouling out in 15 minutes against Orlando on December 23, Hayes has averaged 10.5 pts and 4.3 rbs over his last 9 games. It’s an encouraging stretch of play for Hayes to be sure.

If Willie Greene can get Hayes to a point where he gives you 20 minutes a game down low and isn’t a complete black hole of a player he’s got my vote for coach of the year.

quote:

---

I haven’t been watching every minute of every game, but I do feel like he’s been playing a lot better lately. Am I the only one?

---

Jaxson's number 1 fan checking in. Definitely has been playing better. For a longer stretch than he ever has too and pretty consistent over about 11 games now. Previously, he had put together 3-4 good games in a row tops prior to this run.

Good energy, defense has been much better, very efficient, getting to the foul line at a good rate, has a a really nice looking free throw stroke, has knocked down and few jumpers and 3's. If he can continue to be in the right positions defensively, it'll be really encouraging.

What he needs to work on the most to me imo, is rebounding. If you're going to get a good bit of backup center and 4 minutes, he has to grab more rebounds. Its some strength and some bad blocking out. I think he's shown that he can be very serviceable offensively.

I've argued it for two years that he has to get minutes to improve. AD says it on the broadcast all the time about Jaxson, growth isn't linear and some guys just have to get minutes.. He's getting them and he's improving. I think Willie benching him/very minimal minutes for 12-15 games in a row had a big impact. He has already shown he knows how to get the most out of people.

Another big deal for Jaxson is that Jose has replaced Sato as the backup PG. That's going to give Jaxson lots of opportunities to finish in the P&R, because Jose can actually get him the ball.

It's because he has the worst positioning IQ in the league and he's not aggressive in going for boards - if he's ever within a 5 mile radius to get one

2 rebounds in 15 mins is beyond pathetic

quote:

---

He can't start rebounding at an adequate rate then why is he on the team?

---

Because we drafted him. Should we just cut him?

If your a fan that doesn't like him, which is most of the fan base, you should at least be happy he's improving because it increases his trade value. Any team that trades for him is going to know his defensive liabilities, but they will also see his improvement in multiple areas.

quote:

---

He's on the books for $8 mil next year, I just don't think he's worth it,

---

The last 11 games he's averaging 17mpg. Not a ton, but backup center minutes. He's shooting %68 from the field, %89 from the free throw line on 35 attempts, 9.5 pts. That's really good for 17mpg and looks even better per 36. And 4 trb, which isnt great but averages out fine given the minutes. But he definitely should be better at rebounding and overall defense.

quote:

---

but who wants to take on that salary?

---

Yea pretty much any team in the NBA with reasonable cap space and a need would take that on.

Wow an 11 games where Jaxson Hayes wasn't the worst big in the NBA you say? I'm sure GMs are blowing up the phones trying to get him.

You may want to reconsider bragging about his per 36 stats. He's averaging 9 rebounds per 36, which is 120th in the NBA. So he's basically the worst rebounding big in the entire league. You sure you want to keep him around?