NBA 2021-2022 – Used insignificantly until then by Jason Kidd, Frank Ntilikina took advantage of the absences on the Mavericks side to signal himself in a positive way. Author of 6 points and solid in defense, the French leader was invaluable during the 14 minutes spent on the floor of the American Airlines Center.
Three minutes of play against Atlanta, none against the Raptors, and only four in Houston. This is the hungry play time offered to Frank Ntilikina by the Mavericks during the first three meetings of NBA. Obviously, the former Knick had therefore not really had the opportunity to show up. Last night on the other hand, he took advantage of injuries which freed up space since Kristaps Porzingis, Sterling Brown, Trey Burke or Boban Marjanovic were not available. But he also took advantage of the game’s unlikely storyline.
A monumental comeback of the second unit
Indeed, with the integration of Reggie Bullock in the five to replace Porzingis, and a racket consisting of Dwight Powell and Dorian Finney-Smith, Dallas made a terrible start to the game. Apathetic in defense and overwhelmed on all rotations in the face of licked systems of Spurs, the men of Jason Kidd get pierced. At the same time, the attack is also strawberry, including Luka Doncic. Nothing fits, and after only seven minutes of play, the score is final: 23-3.
Forced to react quickly, the former coach of the Bucks and the Nets then takes the risk of sticking on the bench almost most of his starters, including his Slovenian genius. What follows will prove him right. With the baguette, Jalen Bruson will make you forget the latter by carrying out a crazy sequence of several minutes, dragging in its wake its partners from the bench like Maxi Kleber, and so Frank Ntilikina. Returned alongside the former leader of Vilanova at the end of the first quarter, the Frenchman will stay there for many minutes, until the middle of the second. During this time, he will play a decisive role in an exceptional run led by the second Texan unit to regain the advantage from the middle of the second quarter!
LUKA STEP-BACK THREEEE, FINALLY IT IS BACK ????
Down 23-3, we are now 42-37 ahead with 4 minutes left, Spurs time-out. pic.twitter.com/aiL8VduO2h
— Dallas Mavs France (@DallasMavsFr) October 29, 2021
14 minutes of intense defense enhanced by two banderillas behind the arc
Returning later in the game at the end of the third quarter, he will grab additional minutes to finish the meeting with 14 minutes on his counter. It was his first real opportunity this season, and he was able to seize it with both hands. Alongside Jalen Brunson on the backcourt, it melted into the systems with a lot of correctness. The French international did not make any frills, and was content to play simple. He thus placed good screens to fluidify the systems, and made it possible to rule out the game by remaining mainly behind the arc. This allowed him to get good balls that he managed to convert by inscribing a filoche behind the arc at each of his passages on the floor (6 points at 2/6 shooting, including 2/4 at 3 points).
In addition, he was present at the place of the field where he is most expected: in defense. If he has captured 4 defensive rebounds thanks to his activity, he was instrumental in locking the Spurs’ attack during the total offensive hole experienced by the men of Greg Popovich straddling the first two quarters (6 points scored in the space of 11 minutes). Aggressive on his face and reactive on the switches, the “French Prince” has brought what is expected of him. After 14 minutes on the field, the Dallas franchise outclassed San Antonio by 24 points! He had the best plus / minus in the franchise, just ahead of Maxi Kleber (+22) and Jalen Bruson (+21). In comparison, only Reggie Bullock (+10) finished in the positive among members of the Major Five.
Frenchie Time ????????
Frank Ntilikina | vs. Spurs
6 points
4 reboundsVictory of @dallasmavs 99-104 against Spurs! #MFFL pic.twitter.com/WAdplvFma3
— NBA France (@NBAFRANCE) October 29, 2021
“Frank was awesome”
If Luka Doncic woke up scoring most of his points in the second half (18 of his 25), the second unit of the Mavericks was rented by the entire Texan camp at the end of the meeting. On the official franchise website, coach Kidd was therefore laudatory to our national Frank: “I thought they were moving a little faster than the five major. The bench was awesome, and Frank was awesome too. When we lose one guy, the next one comes in, and Frank has responded. The bench pushed us forward and then everyone started to contribute in the second half. “
If this performance will not guarantee the player his place in the rotation, it allows him in any case to score points. On the backcourt, the Dallas franchise has a certain offensive talent, but on the other hand sorely lacks good defenders. If the Brunsons, Bullock, Hardaway or others give in, they are not real stoppers. Frank Ntilikina therefore has a real opportunity to seize. With the qualities that are his, he could become a kind of extremely valuable 3 & D, able to also carry the ball when needed to relieve Doncic and Brunson. Knowing that Kristaps Porzingis and Sterling Brown are still uncertain for the next meeting against the Nuggets, Frank should have the opportunity to show himself again.
Coach Kidd playing Frank Ntilikina over Josh Green was a fantastic move. Impressive night for the French Prince. #MFFL #Mavs
— The Smoking Cuban (@thesmokingcuban) October 29, 2021
