The Knicks are full of praise for Mohamed Diawara

His playing time doesn’t shake the Knicks hierarchy (yet!). But seeing him on the ground is already a small feat Mohammed Diwara. The 51st pick of the last draft, the former Choletais should be called up tonight in Brooklyn, while Landry Shamet and OG Anunoby will still be missing.

Aside from his playing time and stats, what pleases the Knicks and their coach to begin with is the attitude with which the Frenchman has attacked the season, with no certainty other than that he will do his best.

“I’m a rookie, so I feel like I just have to wait for my chance, my turn. I’m not rushing anything. I’m ready and I believe in what coach is doing. That’s all. I’m just waiting for my time.”

His efforts were praised by Michal Bridges and Carl Anthony-Townes

After playing ten minutes in Orlando this weekend (the longest he’s played since the start of the season), Mohamed Divara received congratulations from his teammates. While he waited to shoot (0/4 shooting, 4 rebounds, 2 assists), the Frenchman introduced the defense, showing the fighting mindset we love in New York.

“He simply got on the field and influenced the defense”and Recon Michal Bridges. “His shots will come. I think he’s still in a little bit of a rush, but he’s a young player, a rookie coming in to play on a good team, so it’s going to take time. But I think he’s done well.”

The same story and Karl Anthony-Towns, who appreciated the content offered by his young teammate. For him to see him climb the hierarchy like this speaks volumes for his mental strength.

“He did a great job trying to influence our win. Congratulations to Mo”he confided. “It’s tough when you’re in the NBA for the first time, you’re a rookie, especially a rookie with the New York Knicks. Of course it’s tough. There’s a lot of pressure, and I think he did a great job when he was on the court trying to do his best to help us win.”

He has to play in the NBA or G-League to continue to improve

Gaining confidence and developing his attacking game will undoubtedly be the next step for him, as he hopes to take full advantage of the following opportunities to assert his presence in Mike Brown’s rotation.

“Now I’m working more on my 3-point shot. I want to be more regular. It’s not so much the number of shots I make, but the quality of them, the position of my hand, the trajectory of the ball…”, the person in question explained to the NI Daily News. “I’m trying to improve my game every day. I’ve got some good guys on my side to try to help me with what I’m doing here. I’m still a rookie so I’m trying to make the most of this experience and learn from everybody.”

In any case, the Knicks are very happy with their move, and from the French point of view, this improvement contrasts with a complicated start to the year. Guerschon Yabusele in its new colors. But also in connection with the use of Pacome Dadietwho, despite the injuries, is not progressing in the rotation.

“For a young player, he has a pretty good feel. On both sides of the court. He’s big. He’s a pretty good athlete and has a lot of things he does well. It’s not necessarily great, but good enough. He’s a good basketball player who can do everything. And when he gets experience and applies that sense of playing without limits, he’s going to have potential.”added Mike Brown for his part. “I just have to find a way to get him to play. And if I can’t do that here, I’m going to have to send him to the G-League so he can play. A player like Mo just needs to play.”

Mohamed Diawara already had a short game in the G-League two weeks ago and finished with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists in 32 minutes.

How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / 3 points in an attempt; 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.