Detroit Pistons head coach Monty Williams praised Jaden Ivey’s growth as a player after Wednesday’s 124-117 home loss vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves (32 points/4 rebounds/6 assists/1 steal/13-22 FG/4-6 3-PT/2-2 FT/+8 +/-).
*set a career-high with 13 made field goals/tied his career-best 32 points*
(via Bally Sports Detroit):
Reporter: “Jaden Ivey was one of those guys that I think showed a lot of growth tonight. I’m sure in your eyes you see that, too. He was contributing in so many different ways, and the Timberwolves couldn’t seem to find an answer for him. How did you see him step up and show his presence all night long?”
Williams: “You look at the offense and you see unreal numbers, but I’m really proud of the way he defended tonight. There were times where he was guarding a bigger guy, two, three, four inches, and he just stood in front of him and walled up and contested the shot or made the guy pass the ball. That’s something that we feel like he can do on a consistent basis, but offensively, his ability to get downhill, he shot the ball well tonight. I felt like he could have got a few more free throws based on the physicality that this game presented. And he’s a physical player, if you look at how many times he attacked the basket tonight; he got two free throws. So I feel like guys like JI who don’t flop should get more opportunities, and then he gets an offensive foul when he’s just trying to get to the basket. That may have been an offensive foul, but his overall game tonight on both ends was impressive.”
Reporter: “He did seem to be really aggressive all game, like really attacking the paint, especially with those two seven-footers down there. Was that intentional for him to try to get to the paint more frequently this year?”
Williams: “Yeah, it’s a concept for us. We call it, ‘Paint to great.’ It’s proven in the league, anytime you touch the paint your efficiency goes up, because either the defense is going to collapse or you’re going to get to the rim. But he’s that kind of player, and tonight he was shooting it well. So he can get to the paint, you’ve gotta honor his shot, and JI’s a willing passer as well. So, you’re just watching a young player grow up and improve every time he steps on the floor. And I’m playing him all over the place. I’m playing him at the two-guard. I play him at the one. Sometimes, he’s down there guarding threes and fours. The kid competes, and you’re just watching him get better and better.”
