DEFENSE (AND THINGS TO IMPROVE)
While he very much excels as a primary initiator, in order to play at the highest European level van der Vuurst’s goal should be to close the gap between his impact as offensive motor and what he brings to the table on the defensive end. There are some good traits to work with, but for Keye results are not optimal.
In Pick-and-Roll defense, van der Vuurst suffers navigating picks and too often goes under the screen. His aggression, effort and to some extent communication are rather workable. As it’s his timing and reactivity when he faces explosives guards and a change of pace dribble one-on-one defense. Part of this is because he sticks too close to his man, some slow feet or a lack of prime athletic tools. Other part is just a lack of attention and too much head on a swivel trying to control whatever is around rather than focus on his matchup.
Additionally, there’s a bit too much reaching for van der Vuurst on-the-ball, which can easily turn into fouls. The fact Keye fouls more often (2.9 per game) than he draws contact is an indicator that his D needs more legs and some tweaks. Nevertheless, there are some flashes off-the-ball, like timed rotations or closing out shooters. Palencia uses zonal defenses too, mainly when they play certain guard-combinations (Benite, Frankamp, Keye) and we have seen van der Vuurst active at the top of the 2-3 or as low man on either side.
Ultimately, I am not a fan of measuring a player impact with the Plus-Minus statistic, particularly when you think van der Vuurst has been the only pure playmaker for the Liga Endesa bottom team most of the year, but Keye’s overall numbers on that regard (-2.1) show how easily the Dutchman could improve his stock and help his team with a more engaged and revamped defensive focus.
EXPECTATIONS
At this moment of the year, when we have reached the mid-season break in the Liga Endesa, Zunder Palencia still remains at the bottom of the table, but the team is clearly in an upward trajectory: 3-5 record since the mentioned Luis Guil took over. And in case you missed it, they enlisted former second rounder Jaylen Hands to the cause, so the last 12 games of season are going to be pretty interesting.
🟣 Semana de ventanas @FIBA
👏🏼 ¡Mucha suerte a nuestros internacionales!🇳🇱 Keye Van der Vuurst
🇳🇱 Yannick Franke
🇳🇱 Matt Haarms
🇳🇱👉🏼 @Basketball_NED🇺🇾 @agus_ubal @fubbuy #SentimientoPalentino pic.twitter.com/kLsvz4KEh9
— IBEROLEA PALENCIA (@Palencia_Basket) February 20, 2024
In any case, we can be sure van der Vuurst de Vries will be the heart of every little thing in Palencia’s final push for survival. And what about Keye’s future beyond that? Too much of a player evaluation these days relies on what’s the player ceiling. The logical step for the Dutchman would be staying put in Spain next season, maybe joining a team that plays in the EuroCup for a bigger exposure, or perhaps a return to the Basketball Champions League where he already featured with BC Ostende. To me, and just looking at the way he can orchestrate the offense, van der Vuurst is an EuroLeague kind of talent in the making with plenty of things to polish and get better at, even his playmaking.
Cut turnovers, strength and physicality, defensive mind-set all over the board, including his rebounding contribution, and high-energy levels to work for the team. Everything is up for the grabs for the 6’3 combo-guard. But before the tough relegation battle ahead with his club, let’s sit, watch and enjoy the process and the couple of games Keye van der Vuurst de Vries will wear the Orange jersey and play as an absolute floor general for Netherlands against Great Britain and Greece. They say basketball never stops.
Article done by MaceoBaller
