It was the middle of the first quarter, the San Antonio Spurs players returned to the field after the break requested by the coach Gregg Popovich. Commentators just pointed out that at 19 and 150 days Jeremy Sochan became the youngest Spurs player ever to come out in the top five. And right after a while he was the teen rookie who jumped to the max at the collection after a wrong shot by Tre Jones – he finished. pi³ke from the air and scored his first points in the NBA.
It can be called a significant coincidence, it can be a symbolism of basketball, but it should be noted that Sochan’s first points in the NBA dream fell after an action that perfectly describes him at this stage of his career. He didn’t throw alone, he reacted to his friend’s actions. He didn’t win the rebound position, he just jumped higher than his rival, picked up the ball over his head. Having a split second to make a decision, he showed great intuition: he hit from above, without falling to the ground.
All Sochan. An energetic teenager, full of enthusiasm and courage. The ninth issue of this year’s draft, on which the Spurs want to bet in the process of radical rejuvenation and rebuilding of the team. The boy with the no. 10 on the shirt and dyed again, this time with purple hair, which will also spark associations with Dennis Rodman in the coming rebounds.
His first half debut had some positive moments, although at the same time it was very bitter. San Antonio’s weak, young and inexperienced team were losing from the start to the slightly taller Charlotte Hornets. Loss followed loss, box after box. It was 47:68 until half time and although the hosts had a momentary break in the third quarter, after 36 minutes they were losing even higher – 75:98. It ended with 102: 129. And even if it is only the first game season, it is clear that there will be no changes – Spurs will be in the tail of the championship.
Sochan did not stand out from his teammates by anything special, but at the same time he did better than in pre-season sparring, in which he averaged 4.4 points and 4.6 rebounds. This time, in two quarters, he collected four and seven respectively: the second time he hit the basket after a good cut to the basket and received a pass, after which he tried a hard dunk. He was fouled, but the ball ended up in the basket anyway.
However, these were only glimpses, the remaining actions were not colored. Sochan missed an extra free-kick after a foul and his two three-point attempts also hit the basket. With the next two shots, the Polish team were heavily blocked, and ultimately missed the pass they intended to finish with an aerial dunk. In total, he was 2/8 from the game: fears that he might have concerns about hitting the basket on a regular basis early in his NBA career were again confirmed. That’s why after the debut it’s just like after sparring: advantages for the decisions, disadvantages for the lack of results. And with each of these statements – an asterisk with the note “the boy is only 19 years old”.
Defense, what should be your forte? The typical versatility of the Sochan, which takes over the rivals from every position, as well as the courage, made no difference in the course of the match or individual actions. It has happened several times that a Pole has faced Terry Rozier, the best player of the Hornets. He was close, but it was an established rival pitcher, a player with seven years of NBA experience, who hit the basket. -Sochan is a great defender, but Rozier is an expert shooter, he knows how to use space, how to use his body. And he will win these duels, for now-said Sean Elliott, former Spurs basketball player, who commented on the game.
Incidentally, “for now” is an important part of this statement, which can actually be applied to everything Spurs related. A temporary team that will take shape in the coming months and years, the lack of skills and experience of most of the basketball players who are just maturing and finally Sochan himself, who has the potential to become a valuable player. But again – for now he’s only 19, he has played one game in the NBA and a lot of work to do.
The Pole played for a total of 27 minutes on Wednesday and his full stats are as follows: four points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, two fouls. 2/8 in game, 0/1 free. Converting numbers into words: he played for a long time, at times versatile, but also ineffective. Visible in the first half, lost in the fog in the second.
The next Spurs game will be played on the night of pi ± tku Saturday Polish time – away from Indiana Pacers.
