Shake Milton has belly recognition

The past week was marked by reunions on the Philadelphia side, between the reception of the Cavs by Georges Niang, who spent his last two seasons at the Sixers, and a trip to the Wolves floor on Wednesday where he is now playing Shake Milton.

During his first five years in the NBA, the 27-year-old guard grew up within the Pennsylvania franchise and therefore reserved a special performance for his former team for their reunion. In the Wolves’ 112-99 victory, he simply had his best game in his new colors with 12 points in 21 minutes.

Despite this new beginning, Shake Milton doesn’t hold grudges though. On the contrary, he took the opportunity to salute the positive impact of his time at the Sixers for his career, in particular by helping him learn “how to hang in the NBA”.

“When you arrive in the League, you fight to find your place. This is the hardest part. Then you move from the G-League to the league, you continue to practice and you gain confidence in yourself and your abilities. I think that’s where I’ve progressed the most, that is to say by asserting myself, knowing who I am, knowing what I want and being able to behave in a certain way. manner “he continued.

Hold on, again and again

Free agent this summer, Shake Milton felt that the time had come to stand on his own two feet by joining Minnesota, not without receiving a small check for $10 million spread over two years, which he probably would not have could have had in Philly. Even if the Sixers bounced back rather well after the James Harden soap opera, the Wolves also had a great start to the season. Enough to reassure the interested party in their choice.

“I just felt like it would be a good opportunity, and so far it has. I love being here in Minnesota, both the people and the staff. Coming to work here every day is really nice. And what’s more, we win. We can only appreciate all these things”, he added.

As was the case with Philadelphia, it will take him a little time to reach his full potential and continue his progress. While waiting for him to do his work, Shake Milton retains all the confidence of his coach, who has had nothing to say about his behavior or his investment since his arrival. Hoping that he ends up finding the same ease, as when he slammed his career record at 39 points in March 2020, just before the regular season was suspended.

“It’s a bit of a question of feeling,” adds Milton. “But I think it’s also about getting on the pitch, inserting yourself into the game, being really aggressive and analyzing everything else as you go. My job is to give it my all, and ask the coach to tell me directly what he sees and what he wants. You must not be shy or hesitant.”

The last match against the Sixers will in any case encourage him to continue in this direction. And in a little less than a month, it will be his first return to the Wells Fargo Center, and it will also be an opportunity to measure his progress under his new colors.

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.