Without Stephen Curry (injured), Klay Thompson (rested), nor Andrew Wiggins (injured), the Warriors hosted the Jazz with a B team last night. However, this did not prevent them from winning in the snatch against a direct opponent in the race for the Top 8 of the West.
Guided by Jordan Poole, Draymond Green and Kevon Looney, their last three base men still standing, the defending champions rely more than ever on their bottle class to look good collectively. Thus, in addition to Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and James Wiseman, it is Patrick Baldwin Jr. who takes the opportunity to highlight himself, he who has been incubated for a long time until now.
Author of 11 points in 13 minutes against Utah (3/5 at 3-pts), the rookie of Golden State actually played the X factors during this encounter.
” He changed the game when he took to the court and started making 3-point shots », conceded Steve Kerr, his trainer. ” In particular that of the beginning of the fourth quarter. It felt like the turning point of the match. […] That Patrick comes in and plays that way, it’s great. He has a lot of talent and he is not afraid of anything. The most important aspect [chez lui]it’s his shot, because he can put some and that changes the situation. »
Wandered between the G-League and the NBA, Patrick Baldwin Jr. therefore does not fail to seize his chance when his franchise calls on him and offers him playing time “with the big guys”. A week ago, for example, he scored 17 points in 23 minutes, in the spanking received by the Warriors at the Nets. Standing out, again, with his shooting quality: 5/8 at 3-pts!
” I already know that I have a quality that I can rely on and this is my shot », did he recognize precisely, before mentioning its areas of progress. ” But becoming a much more complete player on either side of the court is important. I know that’s where I have to focus my work. »
Put in the right conditions at the “Dubs”
Among Steve Kerr’s new darlings, Patrick Baldwin Jr. is undoubtedly aware that he has a card to play now, given the setbacks of Golden State. Last bet to date of the defending champions, he can in any case not put (too much) pressure on his shoulders, because everyone trusts him in the group and pushes him to remain himself.
” He was just told to be aggressive, not to care about anything but to be aggressive. “confided Donte DiVincenzo, also attractive for two weeks (12.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists on average, at 49% at 3-pts). ” He was good defensively, he spoke, which is really complicated for a young player in such an environment. We are on his back every day to make sure he communicates and he did a great job [hier] evening. We needed it. »
Able to catch fire quickly, Patrick Baldwin Jr. is not the type to ask questions when the ball arrives in his hands. Even less when teammates like Draymond Green encourage him to draw…
” When you come in and Draymond tells you to shoot, you do. It’s a huge sign of confidence and you just have to be ready “, said the young 20-year-old winger.
In this workforce, in addition to Draymond Green, the inexperienced but talented Patrick Baldwin Jr. can also count on the support and advice of three future Hall of Famers to improve individually. Namely Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala…
” I think that’s huge for any young player “, he estimated, concerning the presence of this quartet at his side. ” They’re important voices, they give us confidence and a lot of advice, so it’s amazing to be able to have them around 24/7. »
| Patrick Baldwin, Jr. | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2022-23 | GOS | 9 | 7 | 43.3 | 41.7 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 4.1 |
| Total | 9 | 7 | 43.3 | 41.7 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 4.1 | |
