After being chosen with the thirty second total decide within the 2021 NBA Draft, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, also called JRE, has shortly change into a fan favourite in Oklahoma City after averaging 7.5 factors, 5.6 rebounds, and one help in about 22 minutes. He additionally shot the ball decently nicely for a rookie, recording 41.4% from the sector, 35.2% from three, and 74.1% from the free throw line.
But generally it’s straightforward to overlook that the 6-foot-8, 242-pound ahead is a rookie; he’s maybe a bit older and extra skilled than a number of the different gamers that the Thunder have drafted in latest historical past. That offered itself on the courtroom. Although the Villanova product hasn’t produced probably the most spectacular numbers in his first 12 months, he nonetheless made an impression in methods that don’t at all times present up within the field rating.
The 6-foot-8, 242-pound ahead, manning each frontcourt positions, displayed an awesome understanding of the sport that confirmed up on each side of the basketball courtroom. And that paired nicely with starters Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, and Josh Giddey. Whether it was transitioning from a easy hand-off right into a strong display to unlock a shot, or discovering the right time and house to reduce for straightforward baskets, Robinson-Earl is adept at making himself obtainable and creating benefits for teammates with no need the ball.
He pays consideration to the little issues, too. When photographs go up, the big-bodied roleplayer is at all times jockeying for place, doing his greatest Steven Adams impersonation, and scrapping and preventing for rebounds. He’s patiently ready for the proper second to elevate out to the nook in order to preserve his defenders on their toes, and finally present higher spacing. And whereas Robinson-Earl doesn’t obtain a ton of touches, when he does get the ball, he’s making fast choices. He’s not holding the ball; he’s preserving the rock transferring and getting others concerned.
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Defensively, he’s very disciplined. He’s not the athlete some others are, however he depends on good fundamentals, a superb understanding of positioning, and a robust body. While he’s in all probability not going to be the following Draymond Green or Serge Ibaka, Robinson-Earl can elevate a group’s defensive ground due to his skill to talk, diagnose offensive actions, and make the right rotations many times.
With new, recent alternatives abound within the 2022-23 season for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl has an opportunity to cement himself each as a starter and a foundational piece for the group transferring ahead. Every group wants that one participant they’ll belief to play unselfishly alongside their stars, restrict errors, and simply be an adjunct to success if you’ll. And JRE actually has the potential to be precisely that and extra.
But earlier than the Kansas City native will get snug in Tulsa, there are a number of areas the place he’ll want to present consistency and enchancment. After changing simply 52.5% of his makes an attempt on the rim and making solely 33.3% of his leap photographs, it’s vital that Robinson-Earl proceed to develop and enhance each his total shot choice and ending prowess to earn his place throughout the Oklahoma City Thunder group as a long-term contributor.
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story by The Texas Tribune Source link