Hugo González’s first months in the NBA are being more than positive. The young player, in his rookie year, He is having a quick adaptation in a perfect ecosystem like the Celticsin which he is consolidating at times to become an essential figure. And although at first his presence was irregular, Joe Mazzulla is molding him to become a fixture in the rotation: he has played the last 10 games in a row, his best streak exceeding the eight in which he participated from October 29 to November 12. He has the coach’s trust, receives applause from the public and constant encouragement from his teammates.. And he continues to add minutes, the key to getting his head into an NBA that waits for no one and is everyone’s dream.
The Spaniard averages more than 4 points, almost 4 rebounds and almost 1 steal per night, shooting above 50% on field goals and 40% on triplessomething essential to succeed in the current era in which the best league in the world finds itself. But their numbers go far beyond mere statistics: a Boston newspaper has highlighted the influence on the game of the former Real Madrid player and has given a series of data that highlights those intangibles that make him, not only someone essential for the Celtics’ game, but also one of the best rookies in the competition. Something incredible if we take into account that we are talking about a 19-year-old kid who comes from the Old Continent.
To begin with, the player’s net rating (advanced statistic that measures the difference in points that a team or player has per 100 possessions) is 20.6, which makes him, by far, the rookie with the best data in the NBA. But also the second best in the entire competition: in first place is Alex Caruso, while the three places after Hugo are occupied by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams. Something incredible given his precocity, while Mazzulla clings to another piece of information to keep him on track: +111, the number with which the Celtics surpass their rivals when Hugo is on the track. Of course It is better to have him there than sitting on the bench and the coach, progressively, understands it perfectly.
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González has also become one of the Celtics rookies who goes over 300 minutes in his first 30 games as a professional. Before him were Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Semi Ojeleye, Daniel Theis, Grant Williams and Payton Pritchard. The green franchise is betting on young talent and Mazzulla has continued on the bench with the culture that Brad Stevens imposed then and that he now manages to perfection from the offices, replacing the inaction and immobility of a Danny Ainge who is dedicated to fooling around in the Jazz with daring, bravery and activity. Something that is giving good returns to an entity that, with Tatum injuredwants to take advantage of the poor level of the Eastern Conference to qualify for what he can.
We continue with Hugo: his defensive level is what is allowing him to gain a place in the rotation: 50% is the percentage of times that he had to defend an All Staran extensive group that includes names such as Cade Cunningham, Franz Wagner, Bam Adebayo, Brandon Ingram, Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Scottie Barnes, Tyrese Maxey and Donovan Mitchell, also facing absolute stars of the Western Conference such as Lauri Markkanen, Kevin Durant and Austin Reaves. And the figure of 16.2% is the percentage of rebounds he catches after an opponent’s miss. He is tied for seventh among forwards with teammate Jordan Walsh.. Hugo has equaled or surpassed sHis best mark of the season in rebounds in each of the last three gamesculminating with his first double-double of the year by capturing 10 rebounds against Toronto.
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Hugo averages 14.2 minutes per night this season, but in the last 10 games the figure has gone above 18, and in the last 3 above… 31. Against the Pacers he was on the court throughout the second half and had 6 points and 11 reboundsachieving his second consecutive game with double figures in that last statistic. In the last three nights, the Celtics have been +22, +37 and +21 with him on the court. The greens are better with him and everything flows better when he is present, especially on the defensive level. And he’s becoming a player of maximum confidence for a Joe Mazzulla who has made it very clear that his new pupil can and should play in the NBA. The compliments do not stop repeating themselves, the young promise does not stop adding moments and minutes, and the days pass while the former Real Madrid player consolidates himself. Hugo González: an impact that goes beyond numbers.
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