Here’s Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder on the evolution of Jalen Johnson as a passer/playmaker following Friday’s 130-123 NBA Cup home win vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers (29 points/12 rebounds/12 assists/2 steals/9-18 FG/3-7 3-PT/8-12 FT/+20 +/-).
*tied career-high in free-throws made*
(via Atlanta Hawks):
Lauren Williams: “Hey Coach, Jalen has had 10 straight games where he’s had seven or more assists. How have you seen his sort of read of the game evolve over this season?”
Snyder: “Well, I think it’s… you can tell his focus on those things and you’re always gonna have games that you’re playing better than others for whatever reason. And your ability to kinda weather those situations whether it’s a game and coming back the next game ready, whether it’s a quarter, and continue to stay focused on the things that are gonna make you successful. And for us, Jalen’s playmaking ability is huge. I think when he does get into the paint, his size allows him to draw defenders and if they don’t come to finish.
“And then, you usually see a lot of that stuff early in the game — I just want him to make the right decision. As I said, playing off two feet, I think, is huge because the game slows down. Your passes are a little more accurate. Your reads are a little better. You’re just in a little more of a rhythm. So, that’s part of the evolution: him going in there and not necessarily using his athletic ability off one foot, but using his brain and his skill. And frankly, that’s a lot, that’s really tough to develop, especially for a young player. I’m really happy that he’s as focused on that as he has been.”
