He doesn't feel like a veteran compared to others who haven't yet stepped on the NBA courts like him. I still feel very young, I'm still learning a lot of things. It's good to have much older veterans here, training with the team. It's a good thing “, describe Gradey Dick about his second Summer League experience.
The Raptors' guard, who is preparing for his second year in the Major League, showed enough confidence last night by finishing as the team's top scorer in a big win over the Thunder.
With 18 points (6/17 shooting including 0/4 from afar), 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals (4 turnovers). The 13th pick in the 2023 Draft seems to want to prove to his coach that he is ready to move up a gear for the upcoming season.
“I'd like him to be more involved with the ball. On offense, he should carry the ball a little bit more on the pick-and-roll. I'm just trying to open the next window for him. “, says Darko Rajakovic, who sees this summer league as a ” very good checkpoint to see where he is progressing and improving “.
Not being a simple shooter
The technician was already able to get a good idea during the first season together. The Serbian mobilized his rookie 60 times, including 17 starts, which brought him 8.5 points on average (42.5% shooting) over 21 minutes. This new summer in the Raptors jersey, Gradey Dick says he is approaching it with the same approach as last year.
To know ” be a sponge, try to absorb information and knowledge as much as possible “. “ I try not to be seen as just a shooter, to show the range of my qualities. I had the opportunity to play last year, unfortunately with the guys on the sidelines. Fortunately for me, thanks to my preparation, I was ready to show my game towards the end of the season ” he recalls.
He had thus averaged 15 points in the last 12 games of the regular season. Will he be able to ride this momentum at the start of next season? Aware of having more freedom in the summer league, he assures that he wants to stay in his role and switch to isolation mode.
Also, he says he doesn't really have in mind the idea of taking the starting spot, alongside Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett. I want to be ready to play any role I'm asked to play. ” he concludes.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-pointers / 3-pointers attempted; LF = Free throws made / Free throws attempted; O = Offensive rebound; D = Defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = Assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Steals; Bp = Loose balls; Ct: Blocks; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the court; Pts = Points; Eval: Player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
