Maluach, Fleming impress in Suns' preseason finale.

FAN BOTS

Thank you for watching the video     Link:https://arizonasports.com/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-rookies-win/3599124/     Important warning⚠️⚠️   My friend, please check the accuracy of the information. The information I provide may be  incorrect, late, or outdated.   #NBAPreseason#PhoenixSuns#Maluach#Fleming#BasketballHighlights

Transcript

00:00Welcome to an inside look at the Phoenix Suns' preseason developments and what they might mean

00:05for the upcoming season. The Phoenix Suns' rotation for their season opener remains uncertain,

00:10particularly regarding the inclusion of rookies. However, they took advantage of an unusual

00:15situation during their preseason finale on Tuesday, where they secured a 113-104 victory

00:21against the Los Angeles Lakers. After returning from a lengthy 14-hour flight from China on Sunday

00:27evening, the Suns faced a quick turnaround of less than 48 hours. Due to the challenges associated

00:32with such a tight schedule, they decided to rest several key players, including Devin Booker,

00:37Grayson Allen, Dylan Brooks, Ryan Dunn, Oso Iguodaro, Nick Richards, Royce O'Neal and Colin Gillespie.

00:44Additionally, with Jalen Green sidelined due to a hamstring issue and Mark Williams still working

00:49on his conditioning, the Suns effectively had their top 10 players unavailable for this game.

00:54This situation opened the door for rookies Kamen Malawak, Rasheer Fleming and Kobe Brea,

01:00allowing them to transition from limited roles in previous preseason games to significant playing

01:05time against established NBA talents like Luka Doncic, Austin Reeves, DeAndre Ayton, and Marcus Smart.

01:12In the realm of basketball, the recent night was characterized more by brief moments of

01:16brilliance than by consistent performance, although there were instances of success as well.

01:21Malawak emerged as a key figure in the trade involving Kevin Durant, having been chosen with

01:26the 10th overall pick. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns engaged in several trades on the second day of

01:32the draft, allowing them to move up in the second round and select Fleming with the 31st pick.

01:38Observing both players demonstrate their efforts, even in an exhibition game, likely provided some

01:44reassurance regarding the team's future direction despite the fact that they may need to wait for their

01:48first significant opportunities during the regular season. Malawak delivered an impressive performance,

01:53scoring 17 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, dishing out 2 assists, and recording 3 steals in 2 blocks in 31

02:00minutes of play, marking his best showing of the preseason. This performance was particularly

02:04enjoyable for some Suns fans, as they witnessed him compete against Ayton. Suns head coach Jordan

02:10Ott commented on Malawak's performance after the game, stating,

02:14Great response. I don't think he was happy with his performance in that last game in China.

02:19Yesterday, he was prepared to perform once more. The essence of his character suggests that he rarely

02:25experiences a truly bad day. Rather, he might encounter a challenging moment, but quickly moves

02:30past it. Today, he demonstrated some impressive skills, establishing a new standard for himself that

02:36we can now expect him to meet. Malawak continues to embody the qualities of a player who is actively

02:41thinking through his movements. He often finds himself torn between two roles, that of an offensive

02:47playmaker and a solid defensive anchor. This duality can be challenging for him, especially

02:52given his considerable size. However, when the game flows smoothly, or when he is positioned in simpler

02:58scenarios near the basket, he can effectively leverage his physical attributes and energy to make a

03:03significant impact on the game. Malawak's performance in a higher defensive position was commendable.

03:10He initially indicated to Doncic that he was ready to engage around the screen,

03:14then skillfully backpedaled to recover in anticipation of the lob threat heading toward the

03:18rim. After the game, Ott mentioned that they aimed to position the big players higher up than the

03:23traditional setup. Malawak is accustomed to a deeper drop, which aligns with the type of play that

03:28Ott prefers when it comes to establishing a pickup point. This context makes the moment even more

03:35significant. In another instance from that deeper position, Doncic miscalculated. On the opposite

03:41end, this is precisely what Suns fans have longed for, from their center position. Malawak sets a high

03:47screen 30 feet from the basket, rolls decisively, and completes the play with two steps without needing

03:52to dribble, showcasing his impressive size and strength. As previously mentioned, it will take time

03:57for his development. Advocating for a proactive approach to player development, it would be surprising to

04:02see Malawak included in the rotation for the opening night, and the Suns would be justified in making

04:07that decision. Young big men often need additional time to develop, and considering that Malawak only

04:13began playing basketball five years ago, fans will need to exercise patience, just as the organization

04:19will. Meanwhile, other rookies selected around the same time as Malawak may begin to make their mark

04:26sooner. Starting early in his career, the long-term development of this player is expected to yield

04:31positive results. However, the situation with the second most significant draft pick presents a

04:36different scenario. If Fleming can demonstrate even a modest shooting ability and grasp the

04:41fundamentals of the Suns' offensive and defensive strategies, he should be given immediate playing

04:46time. Observing a 6'9 prospect with a 7'5 wingspan in action is one thing, but witnessing his

04:51performance live is an entirely different experience, especially when he stands out among

04:55elite athletes. OT commented on Fleming's potential stating, I feel like he's shown his capabilities

05:02every time he's had extended playing time, he displays glimpses of that exceptional athleticism.

05:07It's our responsibility to help him become more consistent. There are moments when he seems unsure

05:12of where to position himself or what actions to take, he simply needs to take initiative, if he puts in

05:17extra effort that's perfectly fine. Meanwhile, Jake Laravia, who has been in the NBA for three years,

05:23is now at a pivotal point in his career. Fleming was anticipating a straightforward route to the

05:27basket when, out of nowhere, he demonstrated his remarkable agility and long strides to recover the

05:32ball. This left Laravia in a state of confusion, causing him to stumble and lose possession in a

05:38comical manner, reminiscent of Daniel Jones. After the game, Fleming shared his thoughts with Arizona

05:44Sports stating, I just like making plays, whether it's offensively, defensively, or in little ways like

05:49that. I enjoy impacting the game in any way I can. OT commented on Fleming's instincts, emphasizing the

05:56importance of encouraging him to continue showcasing that talent. Throughout the game, Fleming had

06:02numerous recoveries that highlighted his potential as a versatile defender, possessing the ideal size for

06:07a wing player. Brooks remarked during a shoot-around that Fleming has, all the potential, all the

06:13intangibles, but noted that he still needs to be toughened up a bit to develop the mindset necessary

06:18for defending against the world's top scorers. Athletic teams have been evaluated for two

06:23consecutive years, and although this year's lineup has more offensive potential, it still falls short

06:29in the wing position. Fleming addresses this gap. Given the necessity for improvement in this area,

06:35and the opportunity for him to showcase his skills, he deserves a few chances to learn from real game

06:40experiences, even if it means facing some setbacks. Rookies often discuss a significant aspect of their

06:47transition to the NBA, the increased space available on the court, the combination of the court's larger

06:53dimensions and the pace and space style of play creates more opportunities for players. This environment

06:59is particularly advantageous for Fleming. I'm still getting accustomed to it, but I enjoy it more.

07:04There's so much space, Fleming remarked after a shoot-around. I'm not used to having that much room

07:09to showcase my abilities. It's essential to evaluate his capabilities. Fleming also made three three-pointers,

07:15contributing to his total of nine points and five rebounds. In the current NBA perimeter players are

07:23constantly refining various aspects of their shooting, not just focusing on catch-and-shoot

07:28scenarios. The player's foot positioning is crucial, as many of their shooting attempts occur while they

07:33are in motion, whether they are stepping into a shot or maneuvering along the three-point line.

07:39However, when Fleming found himself in a stationary position and had a clear shot,

07:43he demonstrated remarkable accuracy. He made a slight adjustment to his left and executed a natural hop

07:49before releasing the ball, resulting in a successful shot. After the game, he mentioned that there was a

07:54specific mechanical focus he was working on, but he also emphasized the importance of shooting with a clear

07:59mind. Fleming shared with Arizona Sports that his approach to those successful shots was to avoid

08:07overthinking. He admitted that he couldn't recall if he applied that mechanical focus to every shot he made,

08:12stating on my ball. During his final year at St. Joseph's, he attempted 159 three-pointers and improved

08:28his shooting percentage to 39%, a significant increase from the 32.4% he achieved on 105 attempts

08:33as a sophomore the previous year. While he still needs to develop other aspects of his offensive game,

08:38including making quick decisions during drives when he is pushed off the line, it is essential that he continues

08:44to make those shots consistently.

08:48Brea had a challenging night, finishing with four points and five assists while missing all six of his attempts

08:54from beyond the arc. On a brighter note, Jared Butler and Jordan Goodwin, both vying for a spot on the roster,

09:01delivered impressive performances. They effectively maintained the team's offensive flow despite the absence of

09:07several key players. Butler led the game with 35 points, shooting 14 for 26, and also contributed

09:14seven rebounds and nine assists. Goodwin supported him with 24 points on 10 of 20 shooting, along with

09:20four rebounds and six assists. Both Butler and Goodwin are on non-guaranteed contracts, with Butler

09:26currently on a training camp deal. The Phoenix Suns have 13 guaranteed contracts at the moment, which means

09:32they could potentially include both players in the regular season if they choose to do so. However,

09:37the Suns are strategically managing their roster to avoid exceeding the luxury tax threshold.

09:44Goodwin's contract is only partially guaranteed for just over $25,000 until mid-January, allowing him to

09:51remain on the initial roster for a while before the team must make decisions that could lead to his full

09:56salary of over $2 million impacting their financial situation. In a situation where tax implications

10:03are not a concern, Butler might potentially secure a contract that allows for some flexibility in terms

10:09of salary cap management. However, the specifics of these financial arrangements are not confirmed

10:14until the conclusion of the season. Therefore, the Phoenix team has the option to exceed the salary cap

10:20temporarily and then make adjustments to fall back under it by the time of the trade deadline,

10:24which is a typical strategy employed in the NBA. Do you think these rookies will secure a spot in the

10:30Suns' rotation this season?

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended