Video Breakdowns: Jordan Loyd
I’m Kuzey, 19. I’ve been writing about basketball since I was 9. I have been working in Eurosport Turkey for the last 1,5 years. I have written on various sites and magazines before. I’ve been working as a freelance scout for three years. I worked as a consultant. I have interviewed dozens of prospects such as Theo Maledon, Deni Avdija, Henri Drell, Aleksej Pokusevski, Arturs Kurucs, Yves Pons, and dozens of notable basketball people such as Luis Scola, Xavi Pascual, Jonathan Givony, Dimitris Itoudis, Sasa Obradovic, Joan Plaza, Sarunas Jasikevicius, Derrick Williams. I write an article every day. I live in Turkey, I go to all the Euroleague and Youth League games. My main areas are all of age group in Africa and from U12 to U20 European and NCAA. Anyway, don’t forget to follow me on Twitter and feel free to DM!
In this new series, I will make a video breakdown about basketball players who play in Europe and shows good flashes. So, how did I decide which player to choose?
- Potential jump to the NBA.
- Potential jump to the Euroleague.
- Potential jump to the better team in the Euroleague.
- Potential jump to leader role in his team.
- Plays better than last season.
- Potential jump to, meh, no, just I like him.
- Star on his competition.
JORDAN LOYD — Offense
Team: KK Crvena zvezda
Born: 07.27.1997–27.4 YO
Nationality: USA | Atlanta, Georgia
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 215 lbs
Wingspan: 6-foot-5
Primary position: Shooting guard
Secondary position: Point guard
Why?
- Star on his competition.
- Potential jump to the better team in the Euroleague.
NBA situation: Played in the NBA two years ago, for the Raptors. Averaged 2.4 points in 12 games. Went to the Summer League four times, three for the Raptors, and one for the Pacers. Played for Furman and Indianapolis in the NCAA. Averaged 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 29 games his last season in the NCAA. Before Red Star, Loyd played for Hapoel Eliat and Valencia in Europe.
Athleticism skills: Not elite explosively but has pretty nice vertical pop for his position. Smooth, smart and has good body coordination which allows him to absorb the contact, finish in the air, and killer-one foot jumping abilities.
What is his role on the offensive end in the Saša Obradović’s system?
Saša Obradović gives him a secondary ballhandler role in the half-court this season. Of course, he had some primary roles as a ballhandler this season, for example, Loyd was a primary ballhandler against CSKA Moscow. But generally, Langston Hall, Branko Lazic, Marko Simonovic and Torrian Walden play as a primary ballhandler at first. Because Saša Obradović likes to use zipper or stagger to leave open Loyd’s space. And when Loyd comes to the top of the key, he takes the ball, then sees what is happening in the court.
Usually, he calls the screen around the left offensive zone, because he attacks to the rim here better than other offensive zones. Duop Reath, Emmanuel Terry, Marko Jagodic Kuridza, or Ognjen Kuzmic sets up a strong screen for Loyd. After the screen, Loyd attacks to the basket. This is catalyzed by his smooth leap, advanced torso strength, reliable and quick hands which also allow him protection around the ball, hesitations, change of pace, initiating the contact finishing ability and one foot jump in my opinion.
The best thing here is, he can finish things over the rim protectors and he also can finish things against drop defenses. This is great because, in these days, a lot of Euroleague teams likes to switch something against the PnR offenses.
Next step on his attacks to the basket ability as a secondary ballhandler is some footwork adjustments in my opinion. Loyd is not a player who has a huge turnover problem for now, but sometimes, he makes a lot of mistakes on steps.
On the other hand, so, from the 3-points window, Loyd has all credit from Saša Obradović naturally, because Loyd is the star of this Red Star. However, I cannot say that he uses true shoots always. He forces some shots but at the end of the day, I also do not think that he is a player who forces all shots and reason to lost the game.
So, overall, he is a secondary ballhandler who has the responsibility to attack the basket, pull the trigger and make money after staggers, zippers or in sets like 3–1 quick floppy, skipper 1–3–1, 1–3 flare, ram red, flash cuts to ram, or chin line.
PS: Yes, he has to room to improve as a passer but again, this is not his role. Adding this will hurt nobody but not a HUGE room to improve.
Language of stats (both ABA and Euroleague) for scoring
219 points in 195 possessions
- Scored 56 as a pick-and-roll ballhandler in 58 possessions with 41.5% FG
- Scored 46 as a spot-up shooter in 28 possessions with 68.2% FG
- Scored 35 as an off-screen scorer in 30 possessions with 48% FG
- 38 points in catch-and-shoot situations with 44.8% FG.
- 42 points in off the dribble shots.
Eye test
- Drives from the left offensive zones better than other offensive zones.
- Hits 3-points with good release, arc and lower body energy.
- Has game feeling, just look at his body language after he scored. Huge role man.
- Good team awareness but not a major leader for now naturally.
- Makes a lot of splits, flares and shallows, which are great to create space for others.
Clips
The traditional offense for a hot scorer. Loyd comes from the left by using a stagger. Ognjen Kuzmic’s timing on handoff pretty good. Loyd takes the ball, and looks at the big’s footwork.
Big outs of control, cannot cover the shoot. And voila.
***
Give credit to Langston Hall for his unselfish vision first. Before takes the ball, Loyd shifts his body towards to the basket to pass Henry. Meanwhile, Giedraitis waits and makes a huge mistake. Because Loyd comes with huge momentum and energy. Also, he already begins to step, and Loyd takes advantage against RG. However, Giedraitis uses his hips and right knee very well avoid the easy layup. But Loyd change direction in the air, manipulates the defender and finds bucket, also draws the foul.
***
What is the main point of these five offensive sequences? Easy answer, Loyd’s ability to attack the rim by passing the bigs. How? Five elements:
- Uses impressive bursts.
- After takes the ball, he looks the big defender’s hips and footwork. Why? As you know, power forwards and centers are long basketball players. So, it is very hard for them to shifts their weight against shifty or advanced momentum ballhandlers in live dribble situations. And as you know, shifting body weight is almost equal to hips mobility and footwork quickness. So?
- Timing on the dribble.
- Change of direction and speed abilities.
- Anticipations.
***
When I watched this bucket, Chris Paul’s famous move came my mind: Dribble, snake and wash. And Loyd did it.
***
Rokas Jokubaitis comes with huge closeouts speed and his both hands are up. Loyd sees it, he also sees that his right is free because Lauvergne struggles to split Duop’s off the ball aggressiveness. Loyd attacks explosively.
***
This is a very notable possession in my opinion. Because most American guards could choose to use 3-points in this position. But Loyd knows that his opponent is weaker physically than himself and can push him to the basket. He makes a legal push with his left elbow, opens his field and scores. So, he is not a force the game prone.
***
Pull the trigger after a little circle setup. Not a fan of knee alignment but that feeling, balance hand movement and elevation look good for my taste.
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The quickness with absorbing the contact.
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Huge awareness here. Three defenders around him but Loyd sees the space under the basket. Nice setup by Saša Obradović, uses off the ball spacing. Loyd splits the defensive line, steps with BBIQ and coordination well.
***
This is the clip which I would like to see more about Loyd. Because Loyd has effect to draw defenders but he has way to be elite drive-and-dish player in my opinion.