Here’s Indiana Pacers All-Star Pascal Siakam on where he’s seen Jarace Walker grow the most this season (averaging 10.8 PPG/4.8 RPG/2.2 APG/0.8 SPG/40.0% FG/43.7% 2-PT/36.3% 3-PT/76.6% FT/49.0% eFG/24.4 MPG in 57 games played).
*career-highs in PPG, RPG, APG, SPG, and MPG*
(via Indiana Pacers):
“Obviously, you get minutes. Right. So that’s a lot better, and you know that you’re gonna play. That’s the first part of everything, which I think it’s easier for players when they know that they’re gonna play, they have a different mindset about the game. But I don’t even think it’s that. I think he’s just being a lot better about just playing simple. He’s a gifted passer, that comes with sometimes you’re gonna have turnovers. But it’s a learning curve, and you gotta continue to learn about it. But also, shoot when you open. Straight line drives. Keep the game simple. And that’s always been my message to him. And obviously when he’s with me or Ty [Haliburton] and Drew [Nembhard], the game’s gonna be easier for him because he’s gonna get more opportunities to play. But I think the thing is when you out there with all the other guys, finding a way to still be effective and understand that every possession matters. You gotta value the ball.
“But I just love the way he’s been playing. I can see it. He’s watching film, he’s getting better, and he’s serious about it. And I think that’s the most important thing, being serious about work and just knowing that every single day gotta matter. And I think that he’s doing that right now at a high level. Well, he’s stealing a lot of my rebounds, but he’s rebounding the hell out of the ball. He’s really rebounding. I remember Kawhi [Leonard] used to tell me like, ‘Boardmen get paid. You can rebound, you get paid.’ Sometimes for me even, when things are not going well, you gon’ try to focus on something else. I think rebounding, or even defense, and little things like that can make a whole difference. But I’m just rambling right now. But I think he’s playing well and I’m happy for him. And I’m still on. I stay on. He can’t get comfortable. You gotta continue to get better, continue to improve, and all of this matters.”
