Finishing the season with a coach and then starting the next one with the same is a very classic pattern for NBA players. Except for Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Whether in New Orleans or Utah previously, the player has always experienced coaching changes.
By extending with the Wolves for two seasons and 9 million dollars this summer, he will finally be able to play on the continuity with Chris Finch.
“Now I know that this summer, and during my adventure with the national team, I will be able to work on something because I am building something,” does he deliver at The Athletic. “I have a goal and I have a goal. To improve, grow and reach a new level of excellence, I think it starts with some stability. »
Especially since he remains on a good impression with his defense on Jamal Murray in the playoffs. Also, Taurean Prince is gone, so Nickeil Alexander-Walker has a hand in his role as a defender and outside shooter. His coach also emphasizes the importance of stability.
“One of the keys in the development of a young player is the speed at which you find your place and your role in the league”, analyzes Chris Finch, who knew his player in New Orleans. “He did a remarkable job of reinventing himself as a defensive player. He is gifted offensively, but he is above all a complete player, with his stature and his sense of competition. We talked about it together, he has never experienced a summer like this, where he can work on what the team expects of him, in order to come back stronger. This is why we are impatient for what he will be able to offer us. »
The Wolves coach can rejoice because the cousin of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made a good start to the World Cup (before missing out against Brazil…) in the Canadian jersey, but at the same time, Anthony Edwards took weight with Team USA while Karl-Anthony Towns shines with the Dominican Republic.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker will also have the same role in Minnesota as with Canada: to be a Swiss army knife.
“It was about getting totally involved,” he recalls on his very interesting end to the season in 2022/23. “Everyone would like to be the Michael Jordan of their team, but the teams work well because the players accept their role. I accepted to be myself, I tried to progress, to be a better player. »
| Nickeil Alexander Walker | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2019-20 | NOP | 47 | 13 | 36.8 | 34.6 | 67.6 | 0.2 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 5.7 |
| 2020-21 | NOP | 46 | 22 | 41.9 | 34.7 | 72.7 | 0.3 | 2.9 | 3.1 | 2.2 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 11.0 |
| 2021-22 * | All Teams | 65 | 23 | 37.2 | 31.1 | 74.3 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 2.4 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 10.7 |
| 2021-22 * | NOP | 50 | 26 | 37.5 | 31.1 | 72.2 | 0.7 | 2.6 | 3.3 | 2.8 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 12.8 |
| 2021-22 * | UTH | 15 | 10 | 33.3 | 30.3 | 91.7 | 0.1 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 3.5 |
| 2022-23 * | All Teams | 59 | 15 | 44.4 | 38.4 | 66.7 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 6.2 |
| 2022-23 * | UTH | 36 | 15 | 48.8 | 40.2 | 69.2 | 0.2 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 6.3 |
| 2022-23 * | MIN | 23 | 16 | 38.4 | 36.1 | 61.9 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 5.9 |
| Total | 217 | 18 | 39.7 | 33.9 | 71.3 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 8.4 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
