It’s best to by no means name bust on a prospect due to one Summer season League sport, however Washington Wizards No. 2 total draft decide Alex Sarr did his detractors loads of favors on Tuesday.
The massive man went a horrific 0-for-15 from the sector (0-for-7 from 3-point vary) towards the Portland Path Blazers, ending the sport with zero factors, 9 rebounds, three steals, two blocks, two assists and two turnovers in an 82-80 loss for the Wizards. Even a 1-for-15 efficiency would have evened the rating.
Sarr’s misses had been various in nature. He was 0-for-4 below the basket. He was 0-for-4 in the remainder of the paint. He was 0-for-3 on nook 3-point makes an attempt. He was 0-for-4 at the remainder of the perimeter.
Here’s what that appears like, through NBA.com:
The “efficiency” makes a bit extra sense once you notice that Sarr was dealing with Blazers middle Donovan Clingan, the No. 7 total decide of this previous draft. It was a matchup of the 2 highest-drafted massive males of the draft, which Clingan gained decisively with eight factors, 13 rebounds, 5 blocks, two assists and three turnovers.
Clingan wasn’t accountable for all and even most of Sarr’s misses, however the two-time NCAA champion positively imposed his will:
We’ll repeat: you shouldn’t suppose Sarr is an computerized bust solely due to a particularly unhealthy capturing night time. Nevertheless, for those who thought the Wizards and different assorted draftniks had been too excessive on a rail-thin massive man with little expertise towards high competitors and an offensive sport that also wants loads of growth, that is most likely vindicating to learn.
The scouting stories on Sarr have all the time centered on his protection because the aspect of the court docket the place he brings fast worth and important long-term potential, with the hope that he could be a Chet Holmgren-esque pick-and-pop risk on offense. Tuesday confirmed he may need a methods to go earlier than he is near that.
Or he might go off in his subsequent sport or two, as a result of that is Summer season League.
