There are 80 seconds left to play. The Celtics and Grizzlies are tied and the ball is in the hands of Santi Aldama. He penetrates then attempts a daring pass towards John Konchar, behind his head, intercepted by Jaylen Brown. In the process, Boston scores.
It’s the Spaniard’s first lost ball in the match, but it’s costly. Especially since he will have the last shot, open at 3-points, to make her forget, but it is missed.
“I really tried to find a free player and I know Ziaire Williams was cutting,” explains Santi Aldama for the Commercial Appeal. “I probably should have stopped because I jumped on one leg and was in a bad position. If I had been on my feet, I probably would have found Ziaire for a dunk. I need to read the situation better. »
This hitch should not make us forget the good match of Aldama, who has benefited from the absence of Marcus Smart for three matches. He also started for the first time this season against the Celtics and compiled 28 points (with 15 attempts behind the arc), 12 rebounds and 6 assists. All while being wandered from post to post in this part.
Santi Aldama shines in absence of Marcus Smart
“It’s very different from playing winger, power forward or pivot,” he emphasizes with his 2m11, when he starts next to Jaren Jackson Jr. (2m08) and Bismack Biyombo (2m03). “When I am then in position 3, I defend against smaller and faster players, so it is a challenge. We just have to get used to playing with three tall players, but in the long term, if we can change defense in all positions, it will be beneficial for us. »
Since Marcus Smart was injured, three games, Santi Aldama has averaged 23 points, 9 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 33 minutes. And his 28 units against Boston become his new career record.
“He was spectacular and he continues to progress,” Judge Desmond Bane. “I constantly tell him that I’m happy with what he’s doing on the floor right now. He is dynamic and can do a lot of things on the pitch. »
| Santi Aldama | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2021-22 | SAME | 32 | 11 | 40.2 | 12.5 | 62.5 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 4.1 |
| 2022-23 | SAME | 77 | 22 | 47.0 | 35.3 | 75.0 | 1.1 | 3.7 | 4.8 | 1.3 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 9.0 |
| 2023-24 | SAME | 6 | 24 | 47.6 | 36.0 | 50.0 | 0.8 | 4.7 | 5.5 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 12.5 |
| Total | 115 | 19 | 45.8 | 32.2 | 71.3 | 1.1 | 3.2 | 4.3 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 7.9 | |
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.
