In a context of regular reason, we would have talked about his career record. In the Raptors' very narrow victory against the Celtics last night, Gradey Dick was not impressed with the prospect of challenging the reigning champions.
Just take a look at the context of a lot of his shot attempts: in transition, on first intention, sometimes behind the arc, sometimes attacking the rim.
“ I think Gradey is much more of an offensive player than a spot shooter. Last year, we talked about our vision for it. It's kind of the next level to that. There are others behind that he needs to work on and develop”, Darko Rajakovic analysis.
The latter adds: “ I think if you're just a 3-point shooter in the modern NBA, that's a great asset. But that's not enough to maximize your potential and your use within a team. So I think it comes from the cuts and penetrations. He needs to develop his one-on-one penetrations, then the pick-and-roll will come when he is able to play them as well. »
More muscle this summer
A great program therefore awaits the twenty-year-old player. Even he has already displayed great offensive variety against Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and the others. He finished as the top scorer in a game where the rotations resembled those that should be applied in the regular season.
In addition to his 27 points (12/21 on shots including 3/8 from distance) and 6 rebounds, the 13th choice of the 2023 Draft stole two balls. “ Speaking with coach Darko and Ivo (Simovic, assistant), the emphasis was on the defensive side. It kind of helps propel my offensive game. Every time they tell me how many balls I deflected and that kind of thing, it really boosts my energy in attack. And when I display that, I show more of the versatility of my game », Judges the rear.
Last year, he took half of his shots from behind the arc (for 36.5% success). By working on his physique this summer, he should more easily open up the path to the circle. “ I still have a long way to go, but at the same time, I have made progress in the weight room, with my weight and my muscular strength, to hold up when I try to provoke the fouls or the more A. »
Earlier this monththe “sophomore” claimed to have gained six kilos this summer. “ It's not a huge change, to be honest, because I still have a lot of room to develop. But at the same time, it's more like the core strength and like the exercises and the movements that we do in the weight room that really helped me keep going. »
Enough to allow him to move up in rank as he hopes?
| Gradey Dick | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2023-24 | TOR | 60 | 21 | 42.5 | 36.5 | 86.3 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 8.5 |
| Total | 60 | 21 | 42.5 | 36.5 | 86.3 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 8.5 | |
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.
