NBA: Frenchies week
The situation remains mixed for our tricolor representatives in the NBA. France’s team executives had a more productive time across the Atlantic, while the new generation was still learning in the big league. Overview of our French contingent at Frenchies week!
The week of the French in the NBA
Tops
The target of a large number of critics after a lackluster start to the season, and to an NBA career in general, Killian Hayes is responding to all its detractors. Taking advantage of the absence of Cade Cunnigham, the player trained in Cholet finally met the expectations placed on him. If his averages since the beginning of the season are not extraordinary (8.1 pts and 4.7 assists), he is on the other hand a completely different player in more than 15 days with statistics that speak for him in the last 5 meeting with Detroit Pistons : 15.8 pts, 3.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.8 steals. Be the undisputed holder, his meeting against the Mavericks and Luka Doncic will remain as his reference match in the NBA in his short career!
Another pleasure, Theo Maledon in Charlotte Hornets. Also taking advantage of Lamelo Ball’s injury to get playing time, the former Thunder player optimized his minutes with interesting statistics that could open the way to other NBA contracts (8.2 pts, 3.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists in the last 5 meetings). What should be optimistic for the coming months.
Drafted last summer by Clipperslittle is expected Moussa Diabate at the beginning of the season. The LA staff announced the color by pledging time for their protégé in the G-League. But it was clear that the tricolor was able to take advantage of the opportunity that was given to him. Now with 10 minutes of playing time, the rookie can be productive, like he was against the Jazz last week (11 points and 8 rebounds). The interior did not wax the bench and entered the coach rotation. To be confirmed in the coming weeks!
Same observation for Ousmane Dieng with the OKC Thunder. Having a solid rotation in his franchise with more than 15 minutes played per game, the former New Zealand Breakers takes his opportunity as soon as it is given to him. Although the lack of experience is felt, Ousmane Dieng has hands full of talent that will need to be polished over the years.
should do better
Came with a bang from the side of Minnesota Timberwolves, Rudy Gobert is still struggling after 7 weeks of competition. Europe’s pivot vice-champion has seen his average drop and his playing time reduced somewhat. His disqualification after 9 minutes into the game against the Thunder alone showed the Saint Quentin native’s frustration. The wolves is not turning at the moment with a negative record of 11 wins for 12 losses and defensively, the triple best defender in the NBA has not yet found his mark.
The handyman Clippers was less present at the beginning of the season. valid, Nicholas Batum has seen a good number of players come into his position and that seems to slow down Batman’s impact. With a certain irregularity in his shooting percentages and his playing time, the Olympic vice-champion knows he won’t be out of the rotation and that a player who doesn’t crunch the ball is always valued among those who don’t. returning it. !
Flops
What about the situation ofEvan Fournier ? His coach asked New York Knicks after a far from disastrous start to the season, Evan was just taken out of the rotation. While his contribution to the starting 5 can be disputed like any coach’s choice, his exclusion remains an unanswered question for now. A move is in the pipeline at the February trade deadline, but if the tricolor said that his family is the priority at the moment.
Another tricolor in difficulty, Frank Ntilikina in Dallas Mavericks. After starting the season on the sidelines due to injury, the former SIG player couldn’t find a place in Jason Kidd’s rotation. With only 19 minutes as a player since November 18, the French leader is in trouble and will need to take advantage of the next opportunity that is presented to him, under penalty of being relegated to the bottom of the bench.
French player statistics
Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves): 13.2 pts, 11.4 rebounds, 1.3 blocks in 30.5 minutes
Evan Fournier (New York Knicks): 6.9 pts, 2.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists in 20.0 minutes
Nicholas Batum (Los Angeles Clippers): 4.3 pts, 4.0 rebounds, 1.3 ast in 18.6 minutes
Theo Maledon (Charlotte Hornets): 5.5 pts, 2.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists in 16.8 minutes
Killian Hayes (Detroit Pistons): 8.1 pts, 2.6 rbds, 4.7 ast in 17.8 minutes
Ousmane Dieng (Oklahoma City Thunder): 3.5 pts, 2.7 rbds, 1.5 ast in 15.5 minutes
Moussa Diabate (Los Angeles Clippers): 4.2 pts, 3.8 rebounds in 10.7 minutes
Frank Ntilikina (Dallas Mavericks): 1.2 pts, 1.0 rbds, 0.5 ast in 5.7 minutes.
Also look for our NBA competition week 7 report!
