Washington Wizards rookie Kyshawn George confronted a frightening problem in his NBA debut, taking up the defensive task from the Boston Celtics star. Jayson Tatum through the Wizards’ season opener. Regardless of Washington loses 122-102 in opposition to the defending championsGeorge could not look ahead to the chance to check himself in opposition to among the best scorers within the league.
“It was nice. I anticipated it, I wished it, I could not wait to [guarding Jayson Tatum]», Georges observed after the match.
His teammate Carlton “Bub” Carrington questioned George’s willingness to tackle this troublesome mission, to which George responded with confidence and humor.
“Yo Bub, loosen up. I wished to maintain it, okay? he continued. “I used to be actually wanting ahead to this match and simply with the ability to preserve it and do my finest and be taught as a lot as I can.”
Wizards rookie Kyshawn George’s protection highlights studying alternative in opposition to Celtics star Jayson Tatum
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George, who completed with 4 factors, three rebounds and two assists, used the expertise to review Tatum’s capturing patterns, footwork and rhythm. “Simply patterns, the best way he shoots with the tempo, the best way he dribbles and likewise being attentive to the toes so you do not decide up the foul,” George defined.
Tatum’s efficiency highlighted the dearth of expertise, however George’s protection contributed to Tatum capturing a extra modest 9 of 20 from the sector and simply 3 of 11 from three-point vary. This adopted Tatum’s explosive opening night time at Celtics ring ceremonythe place he dropped 37 factors in opposition to the New York Knicks on environment friendly 14-of-18 capturing, together with 8-of-11 from past the arc.
With head coach Brian Keefe in his first full season, the Wizards are targeted on creating younger expertise and constructing defensive resilience, and George’s willingness to tackle robust assignments matches this imaginative and prescient. Washington will look to construct on these early classes as they put together for his or her subsequent sport in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers, aiming to enhance on each ends of the court docket after a troublesome first sport.
