Memphis Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo praised the event of rookie Javon Small following Friday’s 117-112 house loss vs. the Boston Celtics (13 factors/5 rebounds/2 assists/5-8 FG/2-4 3-PT/1-1 FT/+16 +/-).
*averaging 15.7 PPG/1.3 ORB/3.0 DRB/4.3 APG/1.7 TOV/1.0 SPG/2.2 PF/53.3% FG/52.9% 2-PT/53.8% 3-PT/88.9% FT/65.0% eFG/25.8 MPG/+1.8 +/- over his final six video games*
(by way of Memphis Grizzlies):
“He’s a really completely different participant than he was at first of the season as a younger man coming into the league and being thrown within the deep finish. He’s labored very laborious collectively together with his particular person coach, and so they’ve been placing the work in and he listens. He at all times reveals up. He by no means complains, something. Even we have now to tug him out generally that he doesn’t work an excessive amount of. And defensively, he’s improved tremendously. He’s utilizing his bodily attributes means higher. He’s getting after it. He’s extra energetic.
“He’s discovered offensively one thing that was a bit of international to him: to mix, let’s say, pushing the tempo after which additionally having management over the opposite staff, getting everyone organized, not simply himself. The purpose guard place’s essential. And on the identical time, he’s developed in a number of different points, too. He has been top-of-the-line pull-up three-point shooters in the entire league this season and [a] very environment friendly pick-and-roll participant. So there’s quite a bit to love there, and it’s all as a result of his laborious work.”
