Okay, let me walk you through how I spent some time looking into this player, Javonte Cooke. It wasn’t anything super formal, just me satisfying my own curiosity, you know?
Getting Started
So, I’d heard the name pop up here and there, mostly tied to the G-League, Iowa Wolves I think. Sometimes you hear about guys getting called up or putting up big numbers down there, and it makes you wonder. Is this someone with real potential? I decided, alright, let’s dedicate a bit of time and actually watch him play, see what the fuss is about, or if there’s any fuss at all.
The Process: Watching the Tape
First thing I did was just search for recent game footage or highlight reels. Didn’t want old college stuff, wanted to see his pro game. Found a few decent clips, some longer sequences from G-League games. I wasn’t looking for just dunks and flashy plays, though you see those too. I tried to watch his movement off the ball, how he reacted on defense, his shot selection, that kind of thing. Took maybe an hour or two, spread over a couple of evenings. Just casual viewing, taking some mental notes.
- Offense: Looked at how he created shots. Does he rely purely on athleticism? Can he shoot from outside? How’s his handle?
- Defense: Tried to gauge his effort. Does he stay in front of his man? Does he rotate? Is he active with his hands?
- Overall Vibe: Does he look engaged? What’s his body language like after a miss or a turnover?
My Observations
Alright, after watching for a bit, here’s what stuck out to me. This guy is definitely athletic. He can jump out of the gym, that’s clear. Gets up and down the court pretty well too. Seems like he can score, especially when he decides to attack the basket. He’s got that burst of speed.
But, you know, sometimes it felt a little… wild? Like maybe forcing the issue a bit instead of letting the game come to him. Shot selection wasn’t always the best, from what I saw. That’s pretty common with athletic scorers trying to prove themselves, especially in the G-League where everyone wants to get noticed.
On the defensive side, it was harder to tell from highlights, but it didn’t jump out as a major strength. Looked okay sometimes, maybe a bit inconsistent? Hard to say without seeing full, unedited games focused just on him. He definitely has the physical tools, though. Long arms, quick feet.
Wrapping Up My Thoughts
So, my takeaway from this little viewing session? Javonte Cooke is an interesting player, for sure. Loads of raw athletic talent, and he clearly knows how to put the ball in the hoop. The potential is there. But like a lot of guys in his position, it feels like he needs more polish. Becoming more consistent, making better decisions on offense, maybe locking in more defensively – that seems like the path forward for him.
It was a worthwhile exercise, just watching and forming my own opinion. Always interesting to see these players grinding and trying to make it to the next level. Definitely someone to keep half an eye on, see how he develops.
