Chosen by the Raptors in 13th position in the Draft almost three weeks ago, Gradey Dick for the moment is making a modest start in the Summer League. Like all shooters who move from the NCAA to the NBA, the former Kansas must indeed adapt to a faster, more athletic and more physical environment.
A period of adaptation which initially rhymes with a quest for rhythm and sensations: after two matches in Las Vegas, the rookie of Toronto only points to 8/25 on shots, including 3/12 from 3-pointers. And while the downright messy summer league game doesn’t really help shine a light on his “off-ball” profile, Gradey Dick also acknowledges that he personally needs to do more, especially when it comes to his physical condition. .
” For example, I need to be faster and more responsive when I exit a screen », he explains. ” I have to go to an open place as soon as possible, so that the game slows down and my options open up. »
Lucid, Gradey Dick has therefore perfectly understood that the physical condition of an NBA shooter is the key to his success. Especially since the 19-year-old excels in his movements away from the leather, in systems or in the back of the defense, and will therefore undoubtedly be more effective in the NBA, surrounded by better creators with the “real” team.
A multifaceted shooter
But while waiting for the start of the school year and an environment with the pros much more conducive to his development as a shooter, Gradey Dick is not unemployed. On the contrary, he reassures: his outside shot does not fit for the moment, but that does not prevent him from contributing in other sectors. Like his 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals in the first game against Chicago, then 8 rebounds and 4 assists in the second game against Cleveland.
” He has a versatile game. He comes into the league as a shooter, and that’s his strength. But I also think he can do other useful things. His passes, his cuts in the attack. “, also appreciates Pat Delany, coach of the Raptors in the Summer League, whose remarks complete that of Bobby Webster, the GM of the club, who noted after the Draft that Gradey Dick was “ not just a one-dimensional shooter. He knows how to move away from the ball, especially in the back of the defense, he is willing to rebound. So even if he will logically be labeled as a shooter at the beginning of his career, I really think that he is rather a complete player who knows how to shoot particularly well. We wanted to strengthen our ability to shoot, while recruiting a boy capable of other things, like defending. This is what made his profile appealing. »
A versatility that the main interested party wants to permanently integrate into his shooter DNA.
” I won’t wait to be told [de développer d’autres secteurs de jeu], I take up the challenge myself. I try to always go all out, so I’ll make myself helpful in any way. It can be score a ‘lay-up’ like throwing me to the ground to save a ball “, he concludes. ” But nothing really changes for me on this point. I played in the Big 12 last season, I came up against this level of competition and it is beneficial to me. And I know that now, I play among adults, so there is still a level to cross. »
| Shots | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | bp | Int | CT | party | Points |
| Pascal Siakam | 71 | 37.4 | 48.0 | 32.4 | 77.4 | 1.8 | 6.0 | 7.8 | 5.8 | 2.4 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 3.2 | 24.2 |
| Fred Vanvleet | 69 | 36.7 | 39.3 | 34.2 | 89.8 | 0.4 | 3.6 | 4.1 | 7.2 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 2.8 | 19.3 |
| Gary Trent, Jr. | 66 | 32.1 | 43.3 | 36.9 | 83.9 | 0.5 | 2.2 | 2.6 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 1.5 | 17.4 |
| Og Anunoby | 67 | 35.6 | 47.6 | 38.7 | 83.8 | 1.4 | 3.5 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 3.0 | 16.8 |
| Scottie Barnes | 77 | 34.8 | 45.6 | 28.1 | 77.2 | 2.3 | 4.3 | 6.6 | 4.8 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 2.2 | 15.3 |
| Jakob Poeltl | 26 | 27.2 | 65.2 | 0.0 | 56.9 | 3.2 | 5.9 | 9.1 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 3.0 | 13.1 |
| chris butcher | 76 | 20.0 | 49.3 | 32.8 | 76.2 | 2.1 | 3.5 | 5.5 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 9.4 |
| Precious Achiuwa | 55 | 20.7 | 48.5 | 26.9 | 70.2 | 1.8 | 4.1 | 6.0 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 9.2 |
| Otto Porter | 8 | 18.3 | 50.0 | 35.3 | 100.0 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 5.5 |
| Malachi Flynn | 53 | 13.0 | 36.0 | 35.3 | 75.8 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 1.2 | 4.6 |
| Dalano Banton | 31 | 9.0 | 42.3 | 29.4 | 70.8 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 4.6 |
| Will Barton | 16 | 13.2 | 35.4 | 33.3 | 100.0 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 4.5 |
| Thaddeus Young | 54 | 14.7 | 54.5 | 17.6 | 69.2 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 1.6 | 4.4 |
| Christian Koloko | 58 | 13.8 | 48.0 | 8.3 | 62.7 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 2.9 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 3.1 |
| Juancho Hernangomez | 42 | 14.6 | 42.1 | 25.4 | 56.3 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 2.9 |
| Jeff Dowtin | 25 | 10.3 | 43.9 | 31.3 | 66.7 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 2.4 |
| Ron Harper | 9 | 5.3 | 50.0 | 33.3 | 100.0 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 2.2 |
| Khem Birsh | 20 | 8.1 | 59.4 | 50.0 | 80.0 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 2.2 |
| Justin Champagnie | 3 | 3.6 | 100.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 2.0 |
| Joe Wieskamp | 9 | 5.5 | 21.4 | 25.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 1.0 |
