We talk a lot, and rightly so, about the performance of Paolo Banchero, particularly praised by Draymond Green, and who has averaged 23.5 points since the start of the season. But another rookie is very impressive offensively, maybe even more so, it’s Bennedict Mathurin.
Why maybe ” ? Because unlike inside the Magic, the rear of Indiana is not a starter and he plays five minutes on average less than the former Duke. Despite that, he’s averaging 20.4 points per game at 46% shooting success and 43% at 3-pts.
Superb performances therefore, and as Chris Duarte was injured and will be blocked in the infirmary for four to six weeks, Bennedict Mathurin clearly had the profile to take his place in the five majors. But Rick Carlisle preferred to put another beginner, Andrew Nembhard, there. Is that why he missed his match against the Pelicans, compiling only 8 points at 25% on the shoot…?
“He will agree with that: it was his worst game of the season. He wasn’t as skilful as he would have liked.”explains Tyrese Haliburton at the Indy Star. “I was curious how he was going to respond to that. I’m sure this game was eating him up inside. »
“He will start one day, that’s pretty clear. But we must not skip the stages »
The response of the former Arizona was bloody: 23 points (8/10 to shoot, 5/6 to 3-pts) in just 13 minutes in the first period against the Nuggets!
“His second quarter was spectacular,” notes Rick Carlisle, facing his player’s 18 points in this act. “What impresses me about him is that he is unfazed, and that is rare among young players. He does not lower his head, he continues to play. He has faith in his abilities. He’s an attacker. »
This “killer” as described by his teammate Isaiah Jackson finished with 30 points (10/17 in shooting and 6/9 behind the arc) in the Pacers’ narrow loss against Denver. With his performances, doesn’t he now deserve to join the five major?
“It’s the best solution for the team,” responds the coach on the replacement status of the 6th choice of the Draft. “He gives us points off the bench. And it’s a good way for a young player to gain a global perspective of the game. He will start one day, that’s pretty clear. But we must not skip the steps. »
For the moment, the rookie is not frustrated by the fact of starting the meetings on the bench and of treading the floors only 28 minutes per match. “Coming off the bench helps to see how opposing defenses are performing. It does not bother me “, he concludes thus.
