Patrick Baldwin Jr. is taking his chances with Golden State

Without Stephen Curry (injured), Klay Thompson (rested) and Andrew Wiggins (injured) Warriors took on the Jazz last night with the B team. However, this did not prevent them from suddenly winning the fight for the Top 8 of the West against their direct rival.

Led by Jordan Poole, Draymond Green and Kevon Looney, with their bottom three men still standing, the defending champs are relying more than ever on their glass class to look good together. So besides Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and James Wiseman, he Patrick Baldwin Jr. Taking the opportunity to highlight himself, which has been incubating for a long time until now.

Scored 11 points (3 of 5 on 3-pointers) in 13 minutes against Utah Golden State actually played X factors during this encounter.

” He changed the game when he got on the court and started hitting 3-pointers “Coach Steve Kerr accepted.” Especially early in the fourth quarter. It felt like the turning point of the game. […] That Patrick comes and plays like that, it’s great. He has a lot of talent and is not afraid of anything. The most important thing [chez lui]it’s his shot because he can put it a little bit and it changes the game. »

Bouncing back and forth between the G-League and the NBA, Patrick Baldwin Jr. didn’t miss a chance when a franchise called him and offered him playing time with the “big boys.” For example, a week ago, he scored 17 points in 23 minutes in the Warriors’ blowout of the Nets. The shooting quality is again different: 5/8 with 3 points!

” I already know that I have one quality that I can rely on and that is my kick ”, he admitted before outlining areas for improvement. ” But it’s important to become a more complete player on both sides of the court. I know I should focus my work here. »

Create the necessary conditions in “Dublar”.

Among Steve Kerr’s new lovers, Patrick Baldwin Jr. certainly knows he has a card to play now, given Golden State’s setbacks. A final bet on the reigning champions, he can’t have (much) pressure on his shoulders at all because everyone in the group trusts him and pushes him to keep himself.

” He was simply told to be aggressive, not to care, to be aggressive. “Donte DiVincenzo, who has also been impressive through two weeks (averaging 12.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists, 49% from 3-point range). ” He was good defensively, he said, which is really complicated for a young player in such an environment. We’re on his back every day to make sure he’s communicating and doing a great job [hier] evening. We needed it. »

Quick-fire Patrick Baldwin Jr. isn’t the type to ask questions when the ball is in his hands. Even less so when teammates like Draymond Green encourage him to draw…

” When you come in and Draymond tells you to shoot, you do. This is a great sign of confidence and you just have to be prepared “, said the 20-year-old winger.

In this workforce, in addition to Draymond Green, the inexperienced but talented Patrick Baldwin Jr. can also count on the support and advice of the three futures. Hall of Fame improve the individual. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala…

” I think that’s huge for any young player “, he guessed that these four were with him. ” They are important voices, they give us confidence and lots of advice, so it’s amazing to have them around 24/7. »