Wizards a great man Anthony Davis optimistic Bilal CoulibalyDefensive potential, according to Chase Hughes of Monumental Sports Network (Link to video on Twitter). Davis believes the French forward has a largely ceiling-free defensive end, adding that he has the combination of size, foot speed and strength to contend with the top wings in the NBA.
Special mention goes to Davis, a five-time defensive selection Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Jason Tatum, Kawhi Leonard and Pavel George as players Koulibaly can struggle with, according to Hughes.
Start instead of the injured A. Ya. DybantsKoulibaly recorded four steals and two blocks in 29 minutes in Wednesday’s season-opening win over Milwaukee. It was the first time in 51 years that a Wizards player had at least four steals and two blocks in a season opener (Link to Twitter via command). The 22-year-old also had seven suspensions, according to Hughes (via Twitter).
Assuming he is given a qualifying offer, Koulibaly will be a restricted free agent next summer after failing to reach an agreement with the Wizards on a rookie extension by Monday’s deadline.
We have more from the Southeast:
- Fast forward to the second year Myron Gardner initiated a trash talk with Timberwolves a star Anthony Edwards during the victory of Minnesota over v Heat on Wednesday, writes Anthony Chung of The Miami Herald. “A player on their bench was talking nonsense in one of the dead ball situations” Edwards said after scoring 45 points in both teams’ season opener.”And I think that confused me because he was talking pretty crazy. And then when I started talking to him, he didn’t really have anything to say. And I don’t really like it. If you’re going to speak s-, keep speaking s-. Not quiet. So I think that was a big part of why I was so stressed tonight.”
- For his part, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said he wishes Gardner would be more discerning in who he chooses to talk to — especially when he’s not in the game. “I like Miron’s competitive spirit and he wants to inject energy into the group“, Spoelstra said after practice on Thursday. “You also need to be smart about it. I especially don’t want him talking trash to the other team’s top scorers, especially when he’s not there. But he has a good heart. He means the right things. He will be better.” Chang notes that Gardner, whose contract is partially guaranteed for $500,000, played just three blistering minutes in the lopsided loss.
- While Magic scoring 125 points in Wednesday’s season opener wasn’t enough to overcome some costly mistakes, for Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel. The Magic gave up 132 points to Atlanta, including 60 in the paint, and struggled with turnovers (20), fouls (the Hawks made 36 free throws) and transition defense (Atlanta had 18 fast-break points). “I think the intention was there and our hearts were in the right place to play in the right way“, head coach Sean Sweeney said Thursday. “Now we need to do a little better job of execution.“
- The Hornets will be absent again for Friday’s game against Minnesota, as Kobe White (left calf strain), Mog Knueppel (Sprained left hamstring), Grant Williams (right hamstring strain) and bilateral novice Kaylan Boswell (right knee surgery) are out, the team announced (via Twitter). Knuppel and Williams suffered hamstring injuries in the offseason, while White strained his calf during training camp.
