NBA: French week

As every week, Westport reports on the past week in the NBA for our French representatives, with satisfactions and disappointments. Nicolas Batum and Rudy Gobert, who found colors this week, then Moussa Diabaté and Ousmane Dieng are back on the NBA floor. Take a look at our French basketball players across the Atlantic during French Week!

French’s week in the NBA

Tops

Back on the pitch after a few days out with a groin problem Rudy Gobert seems to have found its role within monsters Minnesota. If the ambitions at the start of the season were to make the tri-color loop the best it could be on offense, it seems that the offense animation naturally lends itself to exteriors and especially Anthony Edwards. Suddenly, the French pivot is doing what he does best, defending, protecting the rim and getting rebounds. And in this register, the Olympic vice-champion knows how to get the job done (13 points, 13.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks).

The Los Angeles Clippers has been doing better lately and Nikolay Batum brings the stone to the building in this good period. If it benefits from feedback K. Leonard and P. George, is always there to smooth the game of the Batman team and make others play. With him 7 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, a former Hornet, also works hard on defense. If cargo management Tyronn Lue can leave something to be desired and sometimes prevent you from finding the rhythm, which was not the case with the French last week.

Need to do something encouraging or better

After the match he missed with his team in Paris Detroit Pistons, Killian Hayes found himself relegated to the bench and losing his starting spot. Presumptive selection of coach Dwane Casey To increase energy to the 2nd staff. But while the French leader, who trains at Cholet, has averaged more than 30 minutes in recent weeks, his playing time has only affected playing. 23 minutes average last week, more than correct statistics (12 points, 2.5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals). But the evolution of his minutes will have to be watched very carefully.

good news for Ousmane DiengHe returned to the NBA courts last week after suffering a wrist injury in December. Although he is rarely used (10 minutes on average), his immediate return proves that he is a franchise Lightning and his trainer Mark Daigneault rely on him in a young workforce full of talent this season. With him 2.5 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1 assisthe will find a rhythm on tricolor matches and find his place in the team.

after shipping The G League to continue its development Moses Diabetes was called back by his coach Los Angeles Clippers, Tyronn Lue. According to the results, several minutes during each match in France, as well as in the last match on Sunday evening when his playing time was important (30 minutes, 13 points and 5 rebounds). His work is being rewarded and the message sent by the squad is that the franchise is counting on Moussa Diabate for the future. While his weekly stats aren’t extraordinary (3.8 points and 1.5 rebounds), it remains encouraging and positive for the future.

Flops (and underrated)

Another tough week Frank Ntilikina with his team dallas Mavericks. The coach rarely uses the tricolor leader Jason Kidd with less than 10 minutes of playing time in 2 matches of the week (3 points, 1 rbd and 1 link). If his defense is still worth it, though he is a capable player, his offensive impact is still very limited. Disappointment!

Crop farming The G League since a few weeks Theo Maledon During a matchup against the Suns, Weeks was able to flip the NBA floors. Bottom line, player Hornets away from him 7 points and 2 rebounds but has not appeared since then, being sent back to the development league.

for Evan Fournierwatched from the bench last week Knicks. The French defender, who only stomps the floor when his teammates are injured, knows that even if he wants to stay with the team, playing time will be transferred. The big apple and plays for Knicks remains his priority. But Evan Fournier is a basketball player, and he knows he’s in his prime right now. The fate of the tricolors will be determined within 10 days (February 9, 2023).

Statistics of French players in the NBA

• Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves): 13.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, 1.3 blocks in 30.8 minutes
• Evan Fournier (New York Knicks): 6.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists in 18.5 minutes
• Nikolay Batum (Los Angeles Clippers): 6.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists in 21.8 minutes
• Theo Maledon (Charlotte Hornets): 5.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists in 16.1 minutes
• Killian Hayes (Detroit Pistons): 9.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.3 steals in 26.6 minutes
• Ousmane Dieng (Oklahoma City Thunder): 4.1 ppg, 2.7 rbds, 1.4 ast in 15.0 min
• Moussa Diabate (Los Angeles Clippers): 3.6 points, 3.1 rebounds in 11.5 minutes
• Frank Ntilikina (Dallas Mavericks): 2.8 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists in 12.6 minutes.

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