Jaden McDaniels managed his first big offensive match of the series against Denver during his team's crushing victory in Game 6 (115-70), with 21 points (8/10 on shots including 3/5 on 3-pointers) plus 4 rebounds.
It took him time but the young winger, only 23 years old, finally seems to have come out of his shell, after the trauma of last season. And his famous punch during the last match of the regular season which deprived him of the playoffs!
“I’m excited, but I’m super nervous”he concedes in The Ringer. “Since I couldn't play against them last year in our series [du premier tour]. And this time it's a second round, so it's even more meaningful for me this year. »
Responsible for top-notch defensive missions, notably Jamal Murray, Jaden McDaniels wants to show his coaching staff, and his teammates, that he has learned from his past mistakes.
“Everything you do in life will have consequences” he puts it into perspective. “But you also have to take risks to learn. »
Followed by a psychologist, to whom he speaks before each match this season, to visualize potential situations at risk of losing his temper, Jaden McDaniels has matured in his approach to the game. As Chris Finch desired at the start of the season: “It’s your responsibility. This is something you need to change in your story. »
“It’s like a little superpower”
The ultimate proof of this was given against Phoenix in the first round, during Game 3, when a frustrated Devin Booker did not fail to provoke him verbally. Jaden McDaniels remained stoic and the Wolves made short work of the Phoenix “Big Three” to pass the first round hurdle without trembling.
“It was cool to know that I could control my emotions like that. Even more so in the heat of the moment »smiled the young wolf. “It’s like a little superpower. »
Still fragile on his outside shooting, currently at 5/17 at 3-pointers in this conference semi-final (and not much better at 3/11 in the first round), Jaden McDaniels is still trying to fight his inner demons which often undermine his faith in him. As in this Game 6 completed at a very correct 3/5 behind the arc.
“I think the more you worry and the more you dwell on the moment of the shot, the more nervous and shaky you will be, because you think about it all the time,” he concludes. ” But [Coach Finch] helped me a lot to find different ways to bring four or six points more to my average. »
Symbol of the need for the Wolves to bet everything on their defense, and to let their attack settle accordingly, Jaden McDaniels will have a new opportunity to rewrite his history during a Game 7 at high altitude. To overthrow the reigning champions, nothing less!
| Jaden McDaniels | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2020-21 | MIN | 63 | 24 | 44.7 | 36.4 | 60.0 | 0.8 | 2.9 | 3.7 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 6.8 |
| 2021-22 | MIN | 70 | 26 | 46.0 | 31.7 | 80.3 | 1.1 | 3.1 | 4.2 | 1.1 | 3.2 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 9.2 |
| 2022-23 | MIN | 79 | 31 | 51.7 | 39.8 | 73.6 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 3.4 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 12.1 |
| 2023-24 | MIN | 72 | 29 | 48.9 | 33.7 | 72.2 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 10.5 |
| Total | 284 | 28 | 48.4 | 35.4 | 72.9 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 3.7 | 1.4 | 3.1 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 9.8 | |
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.
