Last year, Ivey
led all rookies in assists a year. Today, he is mostly asked to stand in the corner for possessions at a time. Last season, with Cunningham (and half the roster) injured, Ivey thrived as a playmaker with the ball in his hands for much of the game. This season, Ivey is sharing the floor with Marcus Sasser and Alec Burks, both of whom are among the best available catch-and-shoot options on the roster. Unfortunately, Ivey rarely finds the ball in his hands.
This lineup should theoretically allow the team to spread the floor and allow Ivey to operate out of the pick-and-roll, where he has shown to be efficient dating back to his college days. His ball screen playmaking and drive-and-kick ability would be enough to function as the fulcrum of a competent second-unit offense. Yet I see Ivey frequently in the corner, looking unsure of whether to go to the ball or spot up more often than not these days.
Yes, Ivey has struggled with shot selection and turnovers at times this year. So has every one of his teammates. Jaden’s talents are worth accepting some of these mishaps. I am all for Monty Williams’ tough-love approach (more on that to come), but that approach needs to be balanced with an effort to put players in positions to have success by playing to their strengths.