Cedric Coward’s lesson after his duel against Alex Caruso
Cedric Coward had his “Welcome to the NBA” moment. Not on a huge counter or a big mistake, but on a detail that changes everything at the highest level: a defender who takes you out of your comfort zone. Facing the Thunder at home, the Grizzlies winger identified the possession still stuck in his throat…
“We mustn’t complicate things”he summarizes by Kevin O’Connorbefore i get back on topic: “The moment I realized it was against Oklahoma City at home. On the last possession, (Alex) Caruso completely shut me down. What I was trying to do was too complicated.”
Faced with an excellent defender, you must not “make it up” at this point in the match. “I wish I could do that moment again, but I know it’s going to happen again… So the goal will be to keep it simple, go where you feel comfortable, do the things you feel comfortable doing” he continues.
Cedric Coward also understood the mental trap. “And not to worry about what the defenders are going to do… Their goal is to make you take a shot that you’re not used to, or touch the ball, or do something that takes away from your comfort. So keep it simple and don’t do anything crazy.”
The final lesson of this series: pragmatism. “And also to choose the duel better. The Thunder have a lot of good defenders, but I would rather attack someone else, not Caruso.”
The mentality and analytical mind that shows why they are Grizzlies they are betting big on their rookie.
https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=pH5_OOK9OeI
| Cedric Coward | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | The team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | That | Pd | Ft | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2025-26 | MEM | 48 | 26:19 | 46.8 | 34.0 | 84.3 | 1.4 | 4.9 | 6.2 | 2.9 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 13.3 |
How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.
2026-02-17 15:46:00
