This summer, Bennedict Mathurin worked to improve his outside shot. His start to the season did not confirm the promises since he had only 39% success on shots and 25% on 3-pointers after six games. With notably three matches in a row with less than ten points.
Before the game against Spurs, Rick Carlisle therefore decided to talk about it with his player, who was so interesting for his first season in 2022/23 and who had missed his start. “I sat with him for 40 minutes”he said at the start of the week, for the Indy Star. “I showed him several things, to have an impact without having the ball or shooting. »
A disturbing role change
Faced with San Antonio’s very porous defense, Bennedict Mathurin regained efficiency with 10 points at 4/8 shooting. But he still had to confirm, especially at 3-points because he had missed the target again, in two attempts.
“He worked a lot, especially in defense. Things have changed offensively for him, because he has become a starter and is playing with better players, against stronger players,” thus analyzes the coach. “Last season, when he played, a lot of possessions went through him. This season it’s different. I wanted to show him a way to influence a meeting. »
How did the player receive these 40 minutes with his coach?
“He told me to be myself,” delivers the rear. “Obviously it won’t be easy, but I have to fight. I have to play hard. The most important thing for me is defense. I try to put it on the same level as my attack. This is the best possible way to help my team. »
His best game in Indiana?
Rick Carlisle’s words had their effect against Jazz. Bennedict Mathurin shot with confidence, scoring 22 points at 9/18 shooting and 4/7 at 3-points. He also delivered 4 assists and grabbed 9 rebounds.
“He probably had his best game in two years,” judges his coach bluntly. “People want to see him shoot and score a lot but those aren’t necessarily the things that are going to win. Winning is being part of a system, taking the right shots, going to the corner when required and doing simple actions. In this match he took big steps forward. »
This is why, adds Rick Carlisle, “he deserved his 38 minutes”. “He made the right choices the majority of the time, on pick-and-roll,” explains his teammate Aaron Nesmith in conclusion. “That doesn’t mean always going to the basket, but avoiding the 3-point game for example, and doing it at a high level. »
| Bennedict Mathurin | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2022-23 | IND | 78 | 29 | 43.4 | 32.3 | 82.8 | 1.1 | 3.0 | 4.1 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 16.7 |
| 2023-24 | IND | 7 | 22 | 40.6 | 22.7 | 80.0 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 2.9 | 2.6 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 11.0 |
| Total | 85 | 28 | 43.2 | 31.6 | 82.7 | 1.1 | 2.9 | 4.0 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 0.2 | 16.2 | |
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.
