NBA Rookie Emoni Bates Shows Promise, but Uncertain of Regular Season Minutes

NBA – Author of 12 points against the Magic last night, the Cavs rookie is not yet certain of recovering minutes during the regular season.

Not playing for three quarters didn’t bother him. Barely two minutes after entering the game against the Magic, Emoni Bates converted a winning basket after a contested step-back.

This first converted shot will free the Cavs rookie, mobilized for the entire last quarter. 12 minutes of play and as many points scored with 4/8 shots, including 3/6 from distance, and 4 rebounds captured.

« He can clearly shoot. I didn’t know he could shoot like that “, was recently surprised by Darius Garland, whose teammate scored behind the arc off the dribble, but also in a catch-and-shoot.

An interesting scale

During the previous preseason match, against the Hawks, the 19-year-old had already scored 10 points. “ Emoni is a singular talent. People don’t realize how high his game intelligence is as a creator. Everyone always talks about his ability to score and create shots, but he sees the play very well and he makes the right call most of the time. He did a good job », greets his coach JB Bickerstaff, who also appreciates his efforts in defense.

« I have wingspan and I feel like I can use that length on smaller backs. I’m really learning to move my feet and use my waist. The coach taught me how to place my hands and everything else », Reports the player drafted in 49th position, whose stature has earned him comparisons with Kevin Durant in the past.

Despite all the positive signals, Ja Morant’s “little brother”

is not guaranteed to integrate his coach’s rotations in the regular season. Holder of a “two-way contract”, Emoni Bates should spend part of his time in the lower level of the G-League. Because Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, Isaac Okoro and even Dean Wade are in front of him…

Seize every opportunity

JB Bickerstaff admits that it will be a “ question of opportunity. I would like him to spend a lot of time with our group because I think there are a lot of guys in this locker room who can help him find the right path. I obviously trust our coaching team […] to help him develop and put him in a position to succeed. It’s sort of about testing your limits. »

What does the former high school star think? “ I’ll leave it to the coach to answer this question. I’m not trying to get involved in any of this. If I get the chance to be called, so be it. But for me, it’s all about getting better and helping these guys while we’re here every day in practice, trying to battle with them and they battle with me. We force each other to improve. »

2023-10-13 13:29:07
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