3 reasons to drop the outrageous Jeremy Sochan slander

It's time to address the Jeremy Sochan debate that has been raging on social media since the beginning of the season. The porous record of 5-30 belongs to the entirety of the San Antonio Spurs team, from the coaches to all of the rotational players. For some reason, many fans have found it necessary to place a large amount of blame on a player in his second year in the NBA.

Not to say that some of it isn't funny because, let's be honest, social media is littered with hilarious people, no matter what side of an argument you may be on. Jokes will fly, and some of them will indeed be funny, despite disagreement. But what is important here is the disagreement. The criticisms have been way off base for a myriad of reasons.

3. His shot has improved significantly

In Jeremy Sochan's rookie season, he shot 25% from three. In just his second season, he's made a significant leap to 37%. When Sochan was drafted, it was understood that he was not a shooter. To turn himself into a league-average shooter after one year speaks to a valuable work ethic you don't just dismiss.

For comparison, Kawhi Leonard was 19 years old in his final season at San Diego State. Leonard shot 29% from three in his last college year before shooting 37% in his rookie season at 20 years old with the San Antonio Spurs. That jump was seen as absurdly impressive, and Sochan's improvement should receive the same amount of praise.

Often, players come in with poor shot mechanics, which take years to develop into a consistent threat as technical fixes need to be made to improve the shot's reliability. Unlearning the things that basketball players have spent years doing takes time. This is why jumps like this are special. Respect the hustle.

2. His defense is too important

If you search the safety deposit box in your basketball memory bank, you will remember that there have always been defensive specialists. They have played a pivotal role in the success of many NBA teams over the years. From Tony Allen and Ron Artest to the Spurs very own Bruce Bowen. But nobody scolded those guys for not making the last shot of the game or not running the offense properly because that wasn't their role.

While asked to learn a new position during the first month and a half of the season, Sochan was often also guarding the best player on the opposing team. Throughout the last 10 games, there has been a noticeable improvement in the energy of the defense. The rotations are more crisp, and the players have been more aggressive. Sochan has been a key part of the growth fans have seen on that side of the floor.

Having a 6'9 forward on the floor that can switch 1-4, guard the occasional center, and play with attitude is a good thing. His 7-foot wingspan allows him to be very disruptive to offenses, and this dimension of his game can not be overlooked.

1. He is only 20 years old

Jeremy Sochan was asked to perform a role he had no experience in during his sophomore season, playing with a disjointed young team trying to integrate a species of player never seen before in the NBA. It's already not easy to play in the NBA when you're just trying to figure out the nuances of professional basketball from your natural position. Consider what was asked of him, and if anything, blame the coaching staff for putting him in that situation.

It would be difficult to find many 20-year-old players who have ever been finished products. He is not even close to his potential, but he has already shown so many special traits fans should be elated to have on the team.

The improved three-point shot shows he has a very strong work ethic. His one-handed free-throw form is proof he does not have an ego. Most players would be embarrassed to attempt the one-handed free throw, but the only thing Sochan cares about is improving, and it's been working for him, so he continues to do it.

Lastly, fans should respect his willingness to try Coach Pop's point guard experiment. It was clear that he was uncomfortable in the role, but he trusted his coaches when they asked him to play through the disarray. That is a selfless and coachable player. Spurs fans should be thrilled to have Jeremy Sochan. Give him time to grow and based on what he's shown already, he'll repay your patience ten-fold.