Dante’s inferno: Exum scorched by critics

Dante Exum looks to be settling into life as a Utah Jazz player just impressing regularly in pre-season

Dante Exum takes a breather while playing for Australia at the FIBA World Cup recently. Source: Supplied

THE NBA season is yet to begin, but Dante Exum is starting to find the pressure of expectation weighs heavily.

Earlier this week, the No.5 draft pick underwent the most intense test of his fledgling career when marking star point guard Chris Paul in the Jazz's pre-season game against the LA Clippers.

In a mixed display, Exum shot three-from-five from three-point range but also had eight turnovers.

DANTE EXUM GRILLED BY CHRIS PAUL IN PRE-SEASON

DANTE EXUM'S TRASH TALK ON NBA 2K15

And now, Exum has been slated by two of the most respected basketball analysts in the U.S.

In a Youtube clip, ESPN's Bill Simmons and former NBA star Jalen Rose were unremittingly negative about Exum's prospects and were astonished he was drafted ahead of other players.

Here's a taste of what they said.

Jalen Rose and Bill Simmons took aim at Dante Exum and didn't miss. Source: Supplied

Rose: "What I don't know is how Dante Exum is going to be able to compete nightly if he's playing off the ball and playing two (shooting guard).

Simmons: "When you said 'I don't know how Dante Exum ...' you could have finished that sentence in about four ways - and I was prepared for any of them. I don't know what to make of Dante Exum. One of the highest ceiling basement careers in a while."

Rose: "If I was going to that spot I would have taken Marcus (Smart), and the Celtics ended up getting him."

Simmons: "I'll tell you one thing, when Boston plays Utah this year, Marcus Smart will want to guard Dante Exum. I guarantee you he thinks about that every single day. That guy went ahead of me (in the draft)?!"

Rose: "And that does create motivation."

Australian fans of NBA 2K15 are in for a treat when they play the game's MyCareer mode, with Utah Jazz young gun Dante Exum featuring as a rival rookie.

Worse was still to come.

Introducing a section called 'Bad News Bill' — "you never want to see Bad News Bill," said Simmons — the pair focused entirely on Exum and less on the Jazz's prospects.

Simmons: "He's (Bad News Bill) really worried about this Dante Exum thing. Really, really worried."

Rose: "It's almost like the operation was a success but the patient died. I agree with you. This is going to be a huge moment for Utah basketball."

Simmons: Bad News Bill is concerned that the guys drafted after Dante Exum are really good and I think the Utah fans are going to look around and they're going to see Marcus Smart (Celtics), Julius Randle (Lakers), Elfrid Payton (Magic) and they're going to think why did we take this 18-year-old kid who looks like a baby and should be in college right now."

Dante Exum lays the ball up as Portland Trail Blazers' Will Barton defends in a pre-season game. Source: AP

Rose: "And also he doesn't have a lot of experience playing in the United States in a league competition. If you look at the Youtube clips, it's almost like he was playing against kids that didn't deserve the opportunity to be considered NBA calibre talent."

Simmons: "And then on top of that, all of those rookies that came after him, they're going to have his game circled on the schedule."

Rose: "We're going at him!"

Simmons: "Marcus Smart is going to get really upset for that game. He's going to try and embarrass him."

Rose: "It's going to be like Busta Rhymes says: 'Rawr rawr like a dungeon dragon'."

Simmons: "Bad News Bill is concerned. I like having good basketball players in the league. I'm very worried about Dante Exum."

Dante Exum shows off a map of Australia on the inside lining of his suit. Source: Supplied

Rose: "So you think there's going to be a problem when Steph Curry, Chris Paul, Ty Lawson, John Wall - when they come to town that's going to be an issue?

Simmons: "And I also worry about his confidence, too. And I don't know what position he is. The good news is he's Australian and Australians are cool people, so he's got that going for him."

Rose: "Okay."

Simmons: "I hope he makes it."

Predictably, the forthright opinions drew plenty of comments on Twitter — both in favour and against.

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