Concerns about Desmond Bain continue

In the first period, he hit only one shot: a first-time attempt in transition well beyond the 3-point line. But try to Desmond Bane he didn’t come back. He had to wait until midway through the third quarter to see his game-winning field goal unlock.

The Magic’s top summer recruit had a complicated night on the Wizards floor : just 5 points on 2/6 shooting, including 1/3 from distance, with 5 assists and 2 steals in 20 minutes. Or his least production since arriving in Florida.

After seven games with the new team, the guard is averaging just under 15 points, along with 4 rebounds and 4 assists. But his skill percentages raise questions: Before being released to Washington, the 27-year-old shot 42.5%, including just 25% on 3-pointers. In other words, the foundations of his most awkward season.

« Throughout my career in this league, I’ve been a 40% 3-point shooter, so that’s just part of the game », whether he preferred to cut back before the matchup against the Wizards. 40.8% in his career to be exact, even if he has lost a bit of skill in recent years, after two first seasons above 43%.

I have already experienced several periods like this

The concern this year, in addition to this awkwardness, is that opposing defenses have also been able to drive him away from the arc, pushing him to either penetrate the racket or find free teammates. As a result, his 3-point shooting volume is the lowest since his rookie year.

« He’s the type of player that’s such a threat from behind the 3-point line that he can attack the basket, but I think one of the reasons we drafted him was because of his outside skill. We need to find ways to give him more open and simpler shots rather than off the dribble shots, although he can do both », analyzed Wendell Carter Jr.

Bane believed that the address would eventually return to him. ” They will come. I have already experienced several periods like this. It’s basketball. Some nights you score a lot, other nights just a few “, put into perspective former partner Ja Morant in the “hindsight”.

Even if it doesn’t yet have the expected impact on the game, Jamahl Mosley notes but that ” his leadership, his voice, his communication with these guys is fantastic. Everything he’s done with this group, with this level of toughness and leadership, continues to shine through every game. Takes a lot of responsibility in terms of marksmanship. It opens things up for so many people. He is so selfless that he tries to find them, because he knows exactly how they defend themselves. »

Just a hint of skill is missing to make this association fruitful.

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.