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Players drafted in the ’50s typically end up as nothing in the league. Just look at the last 10 drafts and count how many players have influenced NBA teams. Things are tough in the NBA for players drafted in the bottom 10. Usually they bounce around in the G League for a few years before eventually fading out of the league, but not Jalen McDaniels. , but this season has taken it to another level and has emerged as a valuable NBA player.
The 6’9″ forward from San Diego is averaging 10.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1 game (all career highs), averaging 45.7% from the field, 3 to 37.4%, and a career-best 88.2. % from the FT line in 37 games this season.
Early in his career, Jalen McDaniels sometimes struggled to figure out his role on the floor. At times he flashed the handle and seemed like a prolific shooter, but at other times he dribbled off his feet and got too addicted to the ball.
With ample opportunities in his contract season, McDaniels began to find himself and put together a consistent play. McDaniels has played a key role in every victory this season, although he has been kept out of the limelight for his 10-27 record for the Hornets. He’s a winner and has stepped up where needed.
“He has to play in two different positions, so he’s defending threes and fours. I think he’s a good competitor because he keeps working on the technical part. He’s got a good size. He works a lot on shots with Bruce. [Kreutzer], it helped him. So he’s confident and more confident in the fundamentals there. But he’s played very consistently well against many kinds of teams, so hopefully he can take that further,” Steve Clifford said Thursday. said following his win against OKC.
Jalen McDaniels is working behind the scenes and doing great things.
attack tools
The most valuable skill in modern basketball is shooting. Without jump shots, it becomes easier for teams to play players from the floor. Fresh out of college, McDaniels is not known for his shooting from 3-pointers, as he shot 29.8% from 3 on just 1.4 attempts per game in his 2nd season. I did. But in the NBA, Jalen McDaniels has transformed into Charlotte’s dependable shooter, and now he’s shooting 37% on his career-best 3.4 attempts.
McDaniels’ ability to knock down perimeter shots in the high clip has made him someone teams must constantly track on the floor during transition and on halfcourt.
Due to injury, McDaniels spent more time with the ball than at any other point in his career, showing fans that he can be more than just a 3&D player. Demonstrates improved handling by displaying some ball skills, stepping to the rim with long steps and breaking defenses.
In this play, Jalen surveys the defense and sees that OKC has three guards covering the painted area. Instead of settling for a 3-point shot, he pulls it back and goes right towards Kenrich Williams, creating a separation behind the back and finishing hard at the rim. McDaniels has displayed incredible poise and perseverance, showing that he is the player that ultimately can be.
defensive impact
As the NBA moves closer to positionless basketball with 6’8″ PGs like Luka Doncic and versatile skyscrapers like the Bol Bol, players who can defend multiple positions are among the league’s most coveted. It is becoming an archetype that His Jalen McDaniels with a wingspan of 7 feet fits that archetype. He can switch on and hold on to just about anyone. He flies around and closes gaps with a free-safety-like defense.
McDaniels does a great job of keeping up with the Perimeter players and cutting angles. He does a great job of cornering players off his 3-point line and making players uncomfortable with his go-to moves.
Long-term pieces of Charlotte’s young core
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Jalen McDaniels has become a key part of Charlotte’s young core and they should consider re-signing at their next free agency.
“He’s definitely a perfect fit. He’s long, he can switch from 1 to 5, he can get in the lane, he can run with me. He’s great to play with. I am a good teammate.
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