Since its Draft last June, Moussa Diabate had appeared only twice in the NBA with the Clippers: October 28 against OKC and two days later against New Orleans. The French rookie had spent, in all and for all, 5 minutes on the floor, before living a month in the G-League.
Ty Lue felt the time was right to tap into the former Michigan player’s energy. On the Portland floor, the Los Angeles coach decided to launch Moussa Diabaté at the start of the 4th quarter, while the Clippers were trailing by 13 points. It’s simple: he didn’t come out until the end and showed why the franchise bet on him in the 2nd round during the last Draft.
The line-up Reggie Jackson (+17) – Norman Powell (+17) – Nicolas Batum (+22) – Robert Covington (+10) – Moussa Diabaté (+19) caused a carnage and the Clippers prevailed over the thread, notably thanks to a “Batman” clutch. Diabaté, for his part, brought 3 points, 4 rebounds, 1 interception, 1 against and an insane desire to change the dynamics of the meeting.
This counter on Anfernee Simons with 1:07 remaining when the score was 115-112 for LA was particularly valuable.
IT’S A BLOCK PARTY pic.twitter.com/hZkfhqxXz7
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) November 30, 2022
This may be the hatching quarter for Moussa Diabaté, who we hope will remain in Ty Lue’s rotation until the end of the season. In addition to the enormous experience that this will bring him, he has real qualities to show off in a different register from that of other Californian interiors.
Before the season kicked off, Ty Lue said Diabaté’s energy was “contagious” and that he could bring “great ability to switch defensively”.
“Moussa is the player who has improved the most since training camp with his activity on offensive rebounds and on understanding the NBA game,” Lue explained before the game kicked off in Portland.
This is one of Ty Lue’s particularities as a coach: he will never hesitate to play the hottest guy around. We therefore have a good chance of seeing Moussa Diabaté have new chances to shine in the days and weeks to come.
CQFR : Doncic surclasse Curry, Batum clutch
