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The NBA regular season, the North American basketball league, took in the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, October 28th. Like every year, it will take a little time to adapt to the new staff and power relationships that evolve quickly in this league where “draft” (selection of new players every year) and the “salary cap” (limitation of payroll) maintain a semblance of balance.
France still aligns the second largest foreign contingent in the NBA behind Canada. He could spend 11-13 representatives, but the young Axel Toupane (23 years) and the experienced Yakhouba Diawara (33), respectively tested by Toronto and Memphis in preseason, have not been preserved.
Each of the 11 French players in the American League will live a pivotal year. Detailed review of their personal and collective goals with the analysis of Jacques Monclar, NBA consultant BeIN Sport and RMC.
Those who have to restart
Tony Parker (33, San Antonio Spurs): a nightmarish year to forget in club as in the France team. But Tony Parker has already shown its ability to rebound in the past. For him, only now has the quest for a fifth NBA title, which would sit at the table captions. The Spurs are given the means by bringing the most coveted players in the summer: LaMarcus Alridge, All-Star came within Portland. The game of the French star will move towards more management and less offensive impact but it is willing to change
Review of Jacques Monclar. “This is a But season. He still has considerable responsibility to the Spurs, but his goals are not individual, they are collective. Tony always has the same obsession: to return to the NBA finals. “
Read also: Tony Parker:” Talent, it was “
Boris Diaw (33 years, San Antonio Spurs): the captain of the France team, not decisive to the Euro, is at first the victim of sparkling recruitment Spurs inside: with LaMarcus Alridge arrived the veteran David West. Boris Diaw will have less time to play the last two seasons but, as usual, is in the playoffs that coach Gregg Popovich will count on him.
J. MR: “His playing time will be shared with rookie David West. He will “make Boris”, that is to say, be a facilitator of the game. He is still part of Gregg Popovich puzzle [the Spurs coach] . “
Nicolas Batum (26 years, Charlotte Hornets): next leader of the France team plays big this season in the franchise owned by Michael Jordan. In the shadow of two balloons and untouchable eaters players in Portland (Alridge and Damian Lillard), Batum will be in full light in Charlotte. He will have to take more responsibility in attack … and will finally take his big contract, he saw last season.
J. MR: “I’m not worried about his new position, as it is very good in the development of the game It is a personal challenge.. First or second offensive option of his team, he will be at average 13-15 points per game and rebounds 6-7. A pivotal year in his career. “
Joakim Noah (30 years, Chicago Bulls) key player of the Bulls there is still half a year but disrupted by an operation on his left knee “Jooks” demoted in the hierarchy: it should start matches on the bench, at least early in the season, to make way for the Spanish-Mirotic doublette Gasol in the paint. Not enough to irritate one who does not live the rivalry between France and Spain in the same way that his compatriots. “It’s good for the team” , ensures Noah, whose dedication to the collective is well established. Either he becomes one of the best defenders NBA thanks to his physical found or it might have to leave the shores of Lake Michigan.
J. MR: “This is a pivotal season for him too. Last year it was a bit blocked, but he treated this summer and return in good physical condition. I think he’ll have a great season. Healthy, he is one of the top 10 NBA pivots. “
Those who must confirm
Rudy Gobert (23 years, Utah Jazz): sensation of second half of the regular season, had Gobert Utah Jazz the best defense in the league. After only 37 games in the five major an NBA team, the site Bleacher Report ranked the 17 th best player in the league, before Tim Duncan! Utah did not hesitate to exercise the option to retain an additional season. But it all starts now: his name is now known, and his play, watched. He must assume the hopes that his candor and NBA observers placed in it. And at this level of expectation, it means All-Star selection and qualifying for the playoffs.
J. MR: “There is a huge expectation because it is now part of the defenders who count in the NBA. There is a real buzz about him and he has the means to assume. “
Read also: Euro Basketball: Rudy Gobert, a major player
Ian Mahinmi (28, Indiana Pacers ): President of Pacers, a Larry Bird, wants more show in Indianapolis. This summer, he sent wander its best defenders, Roy Hibbert, David West and Luis Scola, leaving a gap in the paint. Mahinmi space that must be filled and through which he will probably start the season as a starter at center position. A reward after his personal best season last year (nineteen minutes and 5.8 rebounds per game), his third in the Midwest. His return to France team through the repetition of these performances.
J. MR: “The choice of Larry Bird might make it hold. It has an extraordinary opportunity. To him to take it. I believe in him to bring 6-10 points, and take 6-10 rebounds per game. “
Evan Fournier (22 years, Orlando Magic) His promising start to the season last year was interrupted by injury, but the Euro with the team of France has confirmed its ability to ignite meetings. In a young team with no real leader, alongside a new coach (Scott Skiles) seems to trust him, Fournier will benefit from significant time game … if he is not overwhelmed by the Croatian rookie Mario Hezonja , which exploded at FC Barcelona last year. By the end of the week, Fournier will also know if it is extended by Orlando or he will find himself free at the end of the season. For him too, the year is important.
J. MR: “Holder or not, it will bring its” grinta “and aggressiveness. I hope it will go well with her new coach, Scott Skiles, it is better to have with you than against you. But Orlando may not win many games this season. “
Those who have to do their hole
Joffrey Lauvergne (24 years, Denver Nuggets): come on tiptoe year in a team under reconstruction, the young French could already with only two months of NBA in the legs, start the season in the five major: in fact, the pivot holder, the Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic, suffers an injury that depart several weeks. In preseason, Lauvergne was one of the most prominent Nuggets.
J. MR: “He also is a franchise that is not likely to be often victorious, but it’s fine for a first full season in the NBA, he can flourish. His coach seems to trust him. “
Read our article: Lauvergne, erupting volcano
Alexis Ajinça (27 years, New Orleans Pelicans): in the Racquet New Orleans, former Strasbourg lives in the shadows, huge, Anthony Davis, he has neither muscles nor double eyebrow. Ajinça has re-signed for four years in Louisiana, seeking safety rather than better contract. But its low playing time keeps in an awkward position vis-à-vis the France team, he had to leave this summer for alleged injury without showing much resistance.
J. MR: “We know its potential in attack, but it has a problem: to be the designate a player called to rule the league, Anthony Davis. He was injured early in the season, so he will have to have patience. “
Kevin Seraphin (25 years, New York Knicks): A one-year contract to seduce a franchise capilotade: the mission of the Guiana is difficult but not impossible. Because Seraphin profile, a clever pivot offensively, is complementary to the flagship rookie Knicks this summer, the power forward Robin Lopez. However, success in New York requires as much psychological as sporting qualities.
J. MR: “It’s good for him, this new adventure in a famous franchise. He has a year contract, so it must go into the mold to perpetuate his NBA career. But I think it will happen. It was a terrible blow to playing alongside Robin Lopez, I think it will points. “
Damien Inglis (20 years, Milwaukee Bucks) <- - atom snippet!>: a foot injury deprived the former from Roanne his first NBA season last year. Sometimes as a “rookie” in an ambitious team and the bench already supplied. His strong start preseason him hope for a presence in the rotation of the coach, Jason Kidd.
J. MR: “It bothers me a bit when players go too fast in Europe, and I think that’s the case. For cons, the franchise is in a superb dynamics. Everything is settled that in this team and not be sent to “D-League” [the reserves championship NBA franchise] . “
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