Like all Mavericks fans, but also many observers, PJ Washington is eager to see Klay Thompson play in Dallas. Because he is no longer in Golden State, because he has things to prove and because Dallas is coming off a successful season, despite losing the Finals to Boston.
The idea that the four-time NBA champion and 6th most prolific 3-point shooter in history (2,481 successes), is the missing piece to bring back the title seems attractive and the coming weeks will provide a first answer.
For PJ Washington, this offseason in Dallas is his first. And obviously, after arriving during the season in Texas, preparing quietly is a luxury. “It's nice to be able to be even more comfortable, to get to know the guys, their style, to put our qualities in place and to play the way we want. It feels good”, he said like this.
Bounces and rhythm
Very valuable during the Mavericks' playoff run, becoming the third offensive option behind Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, PJ Washington must now confirm. Or even do better if possible.
“His comfort level, his defense”replies Jason Kidd when asked what changed in his player between the start of the school year and last season.
“But we also asked him to get more rebounds and put the ball up,” continues the coach. “He is more comfortable launching attacks, getting the ball back after a missed shot, making the play. We will rely on him to do a lot of things. »
So take more rebounds, and then bring the ball up and thus take advantage of the spacing offered by Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic and Klay Thompson. Because if PJ Washington goes fast enough and overtakes the opposing interior, then the defense will have to act and leave one of the three open at 3-points…
“I tried to be more comfortable with the ball in hand, to score at the head of the racket, to be versatile in defense,” lists the Charlotte alum on what he's been working on this summer. “I can't wait to be able to get the ball up, to put pressure on the opposing defenses. »
| PJ Washington | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | CHA | 58 | 30 | 45.5 | 37.4 | 64.7 | 1.0 | 4.5 | 5.5 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 12.2 |
| 2020-21 | CHA | 64 | 31 | 44.0 | 38.6 | 74.5 | 1.5 | 5.1 | 6.5 | 2.5 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 12.9 |
| 2021-22 | CHA | 65 | 27 | 47.0 | 36.5 | 71.6 | 1.3 | 3.9 | 5.2 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 10.3 |
| 2022-23 | CHA | 73 | 33 | 44.4 | 34.8 | 73.0 | 1.0 | 3.9 | 4.9 | 2.4 | 2.6 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 15.7 |
| 2023-24 * | All Teams | 73 | 30 | 43.6 | 32.0 | 68.3 | 1.2 | 4.5 | 5.6 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 12.9 |
| 2023-24 * | CHA | 44 | 29 | 44.6 | 32.4 | 71.3 | 1.2 | 4.1 | 5.3 | 2.2 | 2.6 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 13.6 |
| 2023-24 * | DAL | 29 | 32 | 42.1 | 31.4 | 62.7 | 1.1 | 5.1 | 6.2 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 11.7 |
| Total | 333 | 30 | 44.7 | 35.4 | 70.5 | 1.2 | 4.4 | 5.5 | 2.2 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 12.9 | |
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.
