While it seems certain that Paolo Banchero will be elected Rookie Of The Year, Jaden Ivey will try to slip into one of the two All-Rookie Teams. Arrived to learn alongside Cade Cunnigham, the fullback had a full season, partly due to his teammate’s premature injury, which quickly plunged him into the deep end.
Selected in fifth position of the Draft for his legs of fire and his ability to shine on the fast game, the former resident of Purdue logically had to work on many other aspects, such as the play on pick-and-roll, the 3-point shooting and simply the organization of the game.
“He came in without having been a playmaker in college, and had to learn to play that role in this league, which is one of the hardest things to do. And he ticked that box”, assures his coach, Dwane Casey. “He had to get used to these questions: ‘Who is leading this or that action? Who leads the ball on the transition?’. He will go through a period where he will have to get to know his teammates better. But it won’t be complicated because he has willing teammates next to him, who want to progress and make the team progress”.
Accelerated learning
This week, he distinguished himself by forcing Jimmy Butler to pull out all the stops in the last quarter, to allow the Heat to secure victory (118-105) in Detroit. His performance at 30 points (11/15 shooting) and 7 assists (but 5 bullet losses) did not go unnoticed in any case.
“He’s so fast, but tonight he made his 3-pointers, his shots from mid-range, which makes him harder to defend. He’s a special young talent.”recognized Erik Spoelstra, coach of the Heat.
The absence of Cade Cunningham has in any case allowed him to progress faster. Even if he fumbled a lot and he also made mistakes, like when he made a Chris Webber late in the game against the Bulls. This accelerated learning makes him a much more complete player today.
“I would say halfway through the season I felt like I was rushing a little less”underlined the interested party. “I feel like I’ve improved in areas where earlier in the season I was making mistakes. I really tried to watch video every day with my coaches and look at the things I was making mistakes on so I could correct them in the next game. There is still progress to be made”.
Cade Cunningham to accompany him next season
The next step will undoubtedly be to find his marks alongside Cade Cunningham next season.
“It’s going to be huge” continued Dwane Casey. “The only thing left for them to do is to find cohesion between them. They were barely making it when Cade got hurt. Cade’s absence was a default chance for Jaden, as it allowed him to grow, flourish and handle the ball much more than he would have if Cade had been healthy all along. ‘year “.
The qualities of the two players could indeed marry well, by dint of work and experience. Everything remains to be done, but the prospect of seeing their talents associated is necessarily exciting.
“We had played like that from the first match with him. We’re just gonna have to find each other. I have to find out what he likes to go for and be aware that we are both capable of stretching the field and helping all the other players around us. It is the most important “concluded Jaden Ivey.
| Jaden Ivey | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2022-23 | TED | 72 | 31 | 41.7 | 34.3 | 74.6 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 3.9 | 5.2 | 3.2 | 0.8 | 3.2 | 0.2 | 16.1 |
| Total | 72 | 31 | 41.7 | 34.3 | 74.6 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 3.9 | 5.2 | 3.2 | 0.8 | 3.2 | 0.2 | 16.1 | |
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.
