The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Three things Dante Exum needs to show next season

By John Keeffer

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 6: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz shoots the ball over Eric Gordon #10 of the Houston Rockets during Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 6: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz shoots the ball over Eric Gordon #10 of the Houston Rockets during Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2018 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MARCH 30: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz shoots the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 30, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MARCH 30: Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz shoots the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 30, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Show a willingness to shoot

I understand that Dante Exum isn’t the best shooter in the world and probably never will be, but in order to be an effective offensive player in today’s NBA, you have to be willing to shoot.

Maybe it was in large part due to the shoulder injury last pre-season, but Exum was not a willing shooter upon his return.

In a surprisingly familiar theme, Exum once again showed more during his rookie season than in his last few years. During his rookie year, he surprised many with his confidence in shooting the ball. He attempted 3.2 3-pointers per game, and made 32 percent of those shots.

Every year since then, his shooting volume and efficiencies have dropped. In limited action last season, he attempted only 1.3 threes per game, and shot just 27.8 percent.

Exum attempted a career high in shots last year, but he is simply taking less and less from three. While he does have an impressive ability to get to the basket and create contact, he absolutely has to attempt those shots when they are generated through the offense. His biggest strength of getting to the basket would actually be magnified by shooting more from three to keep the defense honest.

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