NBA – Extended at a high price before the season, Devin Vassell has not yet exploded, but he has just signed the best month of his career, and his bond with Victor Wembanyama is progressing.
Tonight, Devin Vassell crosses paths with Tyrese Haliburton. While the leader of the Pacers has become one of the best players in his position, and an outright starter in the All-Star Game, the back of the Spurs has not yet taken off his career. However, it was him that the Spurs had selected in 11th position in the 2020 Draft, leaving the Kings to recover Tyrese Haliburton.
A choice that the Spurs never seem to regret since last fall, management offered him a contract worth $146 million over five years! This is the kind of contract that we usually reserve for young All-Stars, and Decin Vassell is far from it, even if he averaged 18.5 points in his 3rd season, cut short after a major knee injury. But he is progressing, and he has just signed his best career month with an average of 22.5 points on 49% shooting, including 43% from 3-point range.
“He has reached a new level. He’s going to become a hell of a player, and we can see it.” assure Gregg Popovich. “He is one of those players who, thanks to all our training strategies, is starting to show off. He defends better. He gets rebounds. He becomes aggressive. He gets into the paint, he finds teammates, he shoots 3-pointers in transition. He’s really improved his game.”
The “green light” to shoot
Devin Vassell has improved, and he has become more consistent. In February, he reached the 20-point mark 8 times in 12 matches. While eyes are on Victor Wembanyama, Devin Vassell planted 28 points in the victory against the Thunder, and distributed 9 assists. This is his personal best.
“He has the green light to shoot” repeats Gregg Popovich. “He’s one of the best scorers, if not our best shooter. When there’s a shot to be taken, he has to take it, otherwise I’ll be behind his back. »
For Devin Vassell, his next area of progression involves attacking the circle. “I have to find other ways to score, by going to the circle, and no longer by relying solely on 3-pointers” he warns. “Now, when the 3-point shots don’t go in, I don’t insist because I know I can go to the rim.”
A reverse pick-and-roll with Victor Wembanyama
At the same time, he needs to work on his two-player game with Victor Wembanyama. This will be one of the keys to Spurs’ return to the top in the years to come.
“We talk about it constantly” assure Devin Vassell. “He always makes the right read, he sees above everyone else. If I’m opening up to the circle, it sees me before I even know I’m open. But it’s not just with me. He does it with Tre, he does it with many of us. And it puts us in the right position. It’s a bit crazy. I was talking about it with members of my family. I never thought I would one day pose a screen for someone who is 2m20 tall! This doesn’t really make sense to me, honestly. But we always get something positive out of it, so we’re going to keep doing it. »
2024-03-03 18:01:22
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