A failed shot could have totally broken Cam Reddish. A little flashback: in Miami, the Lakers were one point behind in the final seconds, with the match ball in the hands of LeBron James. The latter penetrates and fixes the defense before serving the winger for an open 3-point shot. It’s missed.
One more failure in the start of the season for the player who was not really convincing until then, scoring only 4 points on average at 31% shooting success and 15% at 3-pts at the end of this defeat in Florida…
And as the 10th choice of the 2019 Draft has not yet taken off in his career, between good streaks and slumps, these insipid matches in Los Angeles were not going to help his morale. “I’m not going to lie so yes, 1000%. I was almost to the point of telling myself that I no longer had the strength to fight.”he explains to Los Angeles Times on his lack of confidence after four seasons.
The precious support of LeBron James
Except that after this missed basket at the buzzer, the former Atlanta received the support of LeBron James, who did not lose confidence in him and was already planning to serve him again in this situation.
“It was a big moment for me, coming from LeBron. And it’s not just him, all my teammates did a remarkable job of telling me that they believed in me,” he adds. “I have never experienced such an atmosphere in my career. It’s nice and it’s a privilege. »
The proof a few days later, in Phoenix. Darvin Ham places him in the major five, in place of Austin Reaves. And in this same match against the Suns, he scored 17 points and above all several decisive baskets in the last quarter. Then, against Portland, he scored 18 points, or 17.5 units on average at 60% shooting success since he was in the major five.
“It’s crazy what confidence can do to a player, especially when the team has confidence in him,” notes Anthony Davis. “We know what type of player and talent he is. He can be a very big player and he showed it for us in these last two matches. That’s what we want from him. »
A Swiss knife
In addition, in this short sequence, he added three interceptions on average, which delighted his coach. “With his wingspan, quick hands and ability to move between screens, he is multi-faceted on defense”analyzes Darvin Ham.
Since the start of the season, the Californian coach was looking for balance with his rotations. By taking his place in the major five, the winger, with his offensive confidence and his defensive qualities, may have solved certain problems.
“I think he just needed stability and a long-term opportunity,” Judge Darvin Ham. “For the moment, he is comfortable in this group. He brings things, doesn’t force anything, shoots well. He penetrates, he defends well. He’s another Swiss army knife who doesn’t need to have the ball much, just a few good positions in the rhythm of the match. He plugs holes, he can change on defense and do a lot of things on the job. I find that he does all this with ease. »
| Cam Reddish | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | ATL | 58 | 27 | 38.4 | 33.2 | 80.2 | 0.6 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 10.5 |
| 2020-21 | ATL | 26 | 29 | 36.5 | 26.2 | 81.7 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 4.0 | 1.4 | 2.6 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 11.2 |
| 2021-22 * | All Teams | 49 | 21 | 40.4 | 35.9 | 90.2 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 10.1 |
| 2021-22 * | ATL | 34 | 23 | 40.2 | 37.9 | 90.0 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 11.9 |
| 2021-22 * | NYK | 15 | 14 | 41.5 | 25.8 | 90.6 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 6.1 |
| 2022-23 * | All Teams | 40 | 25 | 44.6 | 31.3 | 85.3 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 9.7 |
| 2022-23 * | NYK | 20 | 22 | 44.9 | 30.4 | 87.9 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 8.4 |
| 2022-23 * | POR | 20 | 28 | 44.3 | 31.8 | 83.3 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 11.0 |
| 2023-24 | LAL | 9 | 21 | 34.8 | 29.2 | 81.3 | 0.6 | 2.0 | 2.6 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 5.8 |
| Total | 182 | 25 | 39.7 | 32.1 | 84.2 | 0.6 | 2.4 | 3.0 | 1.3 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 10.1 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
