After scoring 9 points against the Warriors but even more with his 10 points against the Grizzlies, Bilal Coulibaly was ” angry “. During the trip to Orlando, he therefore intended to respond and redress the situation. How to do it better than with a big dunk in the first minutes?
“It’s my first left hand dunk so I’m happy with it”, comments in the locker room the Frenchman who rode Tristan Da Silva. With his right wrist injury at the end of last season, he was able to work on his weak hand and this action proves it perfectly.
It's the start of a very good match for him, but much less so for his team, largely dominated in the second period (defeat by 27 points), since Bilal Coulibaly will finish with 20 points at 9/11 on the shoot, 6 rebounds , 6 passes and 3 blocks.
Jamahl Mosley sees him becoming a “hell of a player”
“He was aggressive, both offensively and defensively, and that’s how we want him to play. He was very physical on defense and attacked the rim on offense. It was very good,” rejoices his coach Brian Keefe. “He set the tone by blocking shots, putting his hands on balls, attacking the basket. We need that from Bilal, he was very good. »
On the Orlando side, the former Metropolitans 92 had one of his best matches of the season. Since the start of the competition, he has averaged 17 points at 57% shooting success, double his rookie season (8.4 units). “I just try to be myself. I know it will fall in, I have confidence because I have worked”he slips.
After this performance, he also received compliments from Magic coach Jamahl Mosley. “He looks good.” We said it last season: he’s going to become a hell of a player.”, judge the technician. “His ability to defend is quite unique and special. He's not afraid. He shoots more and goes to the basket. But what impresses me the most is his defense. »
Bilal Coulibaly | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
2023-24 | W.A.S. | 63 | 27 | 43.5 | 34.6 | 70.2 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 4.1 | 1.7 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 8.4 |
2024-25 | W.A.S. | 8 | 35 | 57.5 | 38.7 | 82.8 | 1.9 | 3.6 | 5.5 | 3.0 | 2.9 | 1.1 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 17.0 |
Total | 71 | 28 | 45.9 | 35.2 | 72.5 | 1.0 | 3.2 | 4.2 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 9.4 |
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.