Alex Sarr, MVP of the Washington public

He is not one of the favorites for the Most Improved Player title, but Alec Sarr (20 years old) is however one of the biggest progressions at the beginning of the season.

Much more agile, he averaged more than 18 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks, and last night he against the Hawkshe was entitled to “MVP, MVP, MVP” from the Washington public.

“Honestly, it made me laugh at first. It was a small group, and then it grew a little” reacts Alex Sarr. “But yeah, mostly it was good vibes. We won, the atmosphere was great. So yeah, just positive.”

Congratulations from Coach and CJ McCollum

Scored 27 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks against the Hawks Zachary RisacherAlex Saar impresses his coach with his progress, consistency and confidence. “Alex is improving. He obviously reached a turning point at the beginning of the season” esttime Brian Keefe. “He leaves a huge mark on both sides of the court. I personally always start with his rim protection and what he does for us on defense. And then his offensive background develops: the ability to get open to the rim, to shoot threes, to make hard shots, to make small turnovers in the post… But those are the things that he becomes more and more important to me, through him his influence on me is more and more. defense »

Same analysis for CJ McCollum, author of 46 points last night. “His defensive machine is improving, he’s more aware that he can block shots. He’s going there more and more, and the staff is challenging him. : ‘You have to challenge everything that happens.’ I think he does it much better, using his athleticism and timing. That changes everything for the defense: we know we can direct our drives to him and he’ll protect us. Then it’s up to us to take his player on the rebound when he comes up for a challenge. He’s really making progress. He even made a great defensive move on the switch: He ducked, stole the ball and counterattacked to draw a foul. It’s really progressing. »

Proud to be a bully

Alex Sarr had to deal with the 2m20 Kristaps Porzingis on this night and dominated him on several occasions near the circle. And when it comes to defending, the Frenchman admits he enjoys playing the intimidator when his team-mates come at him.

“Yes, of course!” he smiled. “I wish it could happen more… You have to get in the right spots early. Sometimes if the attackers feel I’m right behind, they don’t go. So you have to be in place early, try to time it well, measure it well… That’s what it’s all about.”

In general, how do you rate your start to the season and your progress? “I take what the defense gives me. I try to be aggressive as soon as I see I have space or a lane to attack” he concludes. “And then I try to make the right pass or the right shot. I try to carry one or two little contacts and then get up close to the rim to float a little bit or lay back. That’s pretty much it. . . . It’s a lot of repetition. You have to work over and over on the little details, finishing close to the circle, playing against the coaches, just trying to improve my teams.”

https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=UG4iknZBcIs

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.