Among the French rookies, Pacôme Dadiet knows that he will not be able to benefit from a lot of playing time with Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby or even Josh Hart in front of him. So when Tom Thibodeau calls on him, he must seize every opportunity. First there were 5 points in 12 minutes against the Nets on Friday, then 9 points in 18 minutes last night against the Wizards, with 3 rebounds and 2 assists as a bonus.
“The intensity is different in the fourth quarter. Our young people must first experience it. I think the more they experience it, the better they will understand this intensity” replied Tom Thibodeau when asked about Pacôme Dadiet's performance.
Paradoxically, the rookie was more convincing against the Nets with more defense, while his “catch-and-shoot” against the Wizards needs to be adjusted since we saw him throw two airballs…
Like a player out of high school?
The good news is that he is gaining confidence, and Tom Thibodeau does not hesitate to throw him in the first half. Enough to prove that he has his place in the rotation, and Rick Brunson, Jalen's father, ensures that the franchise is counting on him. Listening to him, the Knicks consider him a player out of high school!
“If you take a young person like Dadiet, for me, you have to give him a window. A university window. Four to five years. You can't let down a kid who's spending his college years in the NBA.” explains Tom Thibodeau's assistant.
Except that the Frenchman doesn't necessarily have four or five years ahead of him. Like any rookie, the first two seasons are guaranteed in his $13 million contract, but then the Knicks will have to validate the next two.
