Alex Sarr, the Wizards’ defensive anchor

Jaren Jackson Jr. he thought he made a difference with his nimble move. Besides thatAlec Sarr stayed in touch with him, got up and dismissed with authority finishing off the interior of the Grizzly. Before being very expressive.

This counter, after a few minutes against the Grizzlieshe was already second in his match. In 26 minutes, in addition to his 20 points (9/20) and 9 rebounds, the Frenchman blocked six shots, which is a new career record.

« I think there are fewer layups in certain games. Other games, there are more of them, so more opportunities to block shots », delivers a 20-year-old to explain his “block party” of the day. A little counter attack festival that doesn’t date back to this game: 3 counter attacks against the Raptors, 4 more earlier in the week against the Hornets…

Better than last year

With 2.2 blocks per game, he ranks 2nd in the league’s leading blockers behind Jay Huff, Victor Wembanyama still does not officially count against his number of games played. He already averaged 1.5 against last year, but he seems to have reached a turning point this season.

« I don’t know if I was really afraid that I was going to crash (last year). I made progress on the counter. Timing, knowing when to go, when not to, try to play a block or go for a jump, the fact that I’m more physical, the feeling that I can jump higher, and that helps me “, he answers.

Another explanation given is the time spent analyzing the video and seeing the mistakes made. ” With coaches and teammates holding me accountable, and knowing what I can improve on, I feel like that really helps me improve defensively. »

« That’s why he’s there, why we chose him, to anchor our defense. He was very active for us tonight, he set the tone in defense », commented his coach Brian Keefe for his part who, with the Frenchman, has seen his team improve defensively in recent weeks.

Enough to put him in the All-Star race?

The Wizards have won four of their last seven games and are more serious about it: 115.6 points per 100 possessions, 17th in the league this stretch (122 points, 30th on the season). ” We’re really focusing on our defense, knowing that it’s going to help us, whether it’s a night where we shoot as well as we did last game or a night where we don’t shoot as well as we did tonight. “, says Alex Sarr.

Because of his performances on both ends of the court, Brian Keefe was asked if he sees himself in the running for the All-Star Game. Then the coach looks at the statistical performance of the pivots from the East, ensuring that the Frenchman is already among the best despite the competition (Karl-Anthony Towns, Joel Embiid, Jalen Duren, etc.)

« I know he wants to continue to outdo himself. We are seeing progress on both sides of the field. So yeah, he’s on track for that. », the technician finishes, cautious but visibly satisfied.

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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.