The results of the night in the NBA preseason, that of Théo Maledon
Raptors @ Hornets : 111-100
Pacers @ Cavs : 104-107
Thunder @ Spurs : 121-108
Mavs @ Bucks : 112-102
Grizzlies @ Wolves : 107-105
Nuggets @ Warriors : 105-107
Suns @ Jazz : 105-119
—
– Only a few hours after officially signing his contract in the NBA with OKC, Théo Maledon showed he was worthy of the Thunder’s trust. The French rookie, drafted in 34th position last month, started his NBA pre-season with a bang. In his team’s victory against San Antonio, Theo Maledon came off the bench for 20 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists at 7/14 (2/4 at 3 points) in 29 minutes.
The former ASVEL is the best OKC scorer in this meeting and, although it is not yet an official match, has shown a good poise with 10 days of the start of the season. The visual impression was excellent.
Obviously, we want to ignite a little and already consider the young French international as a steal of this Draft – Tony Parker is convinced that it is the fault of his former coach at ASVEL if Maledon did not not been caught in the lottery – but what he has shown is very encouraging anyway. The new head coach Mark Daigneault seems to want to offer him the opportunity to appear in this very young group with rather uncertain immediate objectives.
– Isaac Okoro just might be the best thing that has happened to the Cavs since LeBron James left. The rookie had a superb 4th quarter in Cleveland’s victory over Indiana, with 16 of his 18 points scored over this period, but also and above all the most clutching action of the night.
After an excellent defense on TJ McConnell, the rookie winger went to score the basket and the foul on the counterattack to put his team in the lead on the wire.
– Another rookie stood out last night: LaMelo Ball. Coming off the bench against the Raptors, the No. 3 of the 2020 Draft did not shine at the finish (0/5), but took advantage of his 16 minutes of play to show his creativity in the pass (4 assists including two in the back) and his ability to take rebounds (10). The sample is thin, but the least of his ball catches and the most banal of his passes already show a constant desire to put on a show.
– If his match in itself was quite anecdotal (10 points, 3 assists, 2 interceptions at 3/10), Stephen Curry found a way to stand out in the pre-game against Denver, with a new element added to his routine. The leader of the Warriors liked to shoot from the entrance of the tunnel. Now he’s doing it from … the stands.
Steph got a new pregame shot ????
(via @WSandretto)pic.twitter.com/7f8UNSaaI4
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 13, 2020
NBA Draft 2020: all picks and all moves
– The entry intoAnthony Edwards was a little less convincing. Also replacing in the match lost by Minnesota against Memphis, the No. 1 of the 2020 Draft still had 26 minutes to put in their mouths. Result: 5 points and 4 rebounds at 2/9 and with 5 faults. His score did not exude serenity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPi6uY4LzCE
In this match, however, we could see that Ja Morant was already very hot and determined not to relive the scenario of last season with a readjustment of the playoffs at the last minute. The rookie of the year 2020 was already above the rest with 20 points and 11 assists at 8/12 in 25 minutes.
– For his first appearance with Golden State, Kelly Oubre showed good activity, especially in defense (3 blocks) and finished with 10 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists in 22 minutes.
– In this same match, won by the Warriors, we saw that Nikola Jokic was rather in legs: 26 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists for the Serbian in 23 minutes. The offseason was not long enough for him to degrade the good physical condition he had carved out before entering the bubble.
– The poster was rather cheeky between Dallas and Milwaukee, but Rick Carlisle left his holders warm after 16 minutes and it was his second unit that took the upper hand over the Bucks, despite the 25 points and 10 rebounds of Giannis Antetokounmpo in 25 minutes. The two coaches played 13 (for Dallas) and 11 (for Milwaukee) substitutes. Not easy to learn from all of this. A priori, it is Donte DiVincenzo who will start at position 2 this season next to Jrue Holiday (4 pts, 4 wt at 2/7). In any case, that’s how the Bucks backcourt was arranged.
– Without Chris Paul, hit in the ankle, the Suns were quite far from the score against the Jazz last night. Holder, Rudy Gobert captured 8 rebounds and scored 6 points in 17 minutes.
–
