With Christian Brown, peyton watson is the flagship rookie of these nuggets version 2022/23. At the heart of this end of the season when Michael Malone does not hesitate to rotate to preserve his best elements for the playoffs, he also takes the opportunity to see the field more regularly, after having spent most of his time in G-League (22.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 blocks).
For four games, the 30th choice of the Draft 2022 has thus displayed 23 minutes of average playing time, for statistics of 6.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 against (at 44% in shooting, including 33% at 3-points). During the last outing of denverin Phoenix, he was downright starting for the very first time and, this, against an opponent he knows rather well: Kevin Durant.
It’s been a few years since the two men became close, despite their 14-year age difference, to the point of coming to train together during the offseason.
” I just liked the type of guy he is and we built a friendship from there. », confided in this regard the winger of the Suns, who met the former resident of UCLA at the time of the health crisis. ” I support him, he has a bright future. […] It’s a student [du jeu]he is constantly looking to improve, he loves to play and he has everything in store. […] I love his demeanor, what he brings to the game, his enthusiasm for the sport. »
Learning the hard way from his mentor
“Linked” by the Covid-19 therefore, Kevin Durant and Peyton Watson faced off for the second time in a week and each time the elder taught the helpless rookie a lesson —like almost any defender – in front of the offensive mastery of “KD” (30 points then 29 points). Even if the 20-year-old back has, despite his lack of experience, offered some great things against his mentor in defense, but also in attack.
Still in the process of learning, the pure Californian product does not leave indifferent the double MVP of the Finals, who wants to be dithyrambic about him. But he is not the only one in this situation, because Michael Malone also says nothing but good things about it, in addition to pushing him to improve, again and again.
” You have everything you need physically, you can become a really good basketball player. The challenge I set for you: don’t just be physical, the mind is an important aspect of the game. Above all, how disciplined are you? “said the Nuggets coach to his young player.
Still, the minutes of Peyton Watson should not be consistent in the playoffs, because the rotation of Denver is dense or, in any case, already formed. On the other hand, next season, there will undoubtedly be an opportunity to seize, because Reggie Jackson, Jeff Green and Bruce Brown should all test the market, risking leaving Colorado…
| peyton watson | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2022-23 | DEN | 21 | 7 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 33.3 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 2.7 |
| Total | 21 | 7 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 33.3 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 2.7 | |
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.
