Pat Spencer's Breakthrough: From Oddity to Reliable Rotational Player
In a stunning turnaround, Golden State Warriors rookie Pat Spencer has transformed from an oddball part-time novelty to a full-fledged reliable rotational player. Since joining the team three seasons ago, Spencer was often perceived as an anomaly rather than a legitimate contributor. He famously gave up lacrosse to pursue basketball and had yo-yoed between the G-League and the Warriors in limited NBA minutes.
However, after putting up 20 points against the Suns on Thursday, it became apparent that Spencer had finally broken through into being a vital cog in the Warriors' machine. The team's decision to sign him to a standard contract just hours before playing the Lakers in Los Angeles was no surprise, as he had consistently shown signs of improvement throughout the season.
Coach Steve Kerr attributed Spencer's breakthrough to an improved jumper, advising him to "let it rip" on open shots. And let his teammates do just that – Spencer has made 43.1% of his deep attempts this season, compared to just 22.7% last year. The statistics are even more impressive when considering he was attempting a mere 24 four-pointers in 45 games over his first two seasons.
Spencer's newfound love for the deep jumper has allowed him to make the most of his extended opportunities, especially when Curry is out with injuries. He briefly captured the imagination of the NBA public last month, earning the nickname "that mother(expletive)" from teammates after a string of impressive performances.
Kerr praises Spencer as a backup point guard who can win games on his own. With minutes that have dropped off since his standout stretch in December, Spencer remains a sparkplug off the bench whenever called upon, even as his game numbers approach the limit.
As a full-time Warrior, Spencer will now be able to unleash his "let it rip" mentality with reckless abandon. His transformation from oddity to reliable rotational player is a testament to the team's ability to identify and nurture talent in unexpected places.
In a stunning turnaround, Golden State Warriors rookie Pat Spencer has transformed from an oddball part-time novelty to a full-fledged reliable rotational player. Since joining the team three seasons ago, Spencer was often perceived as an anomaly rather than a legitimate contributor. He famously gave up lacrosse to pursue basketball and had yo-yoed between the G-League and the Warriors in limited NBA minutes.
However, after putting up 20 points against the Suns on Thursday, it became apparent that Spencer had finally broken through into being a vital cog in the Warriors' machine. The team's decision to sign him to a standard contract just hours before playing the Lakers in Los Angeles was no surprise, as he had consistently shown signs of improvement throughout the season.
Coach Steve Kerr attributed Spencer's breakthrough to an improved jumper, advising him to "let it rip" on open shots. And let his teammates do just that – Spencer has made 43.1% of his deep attempts this season, compared to just 22.7% last year. The statistics are even more impressive when considering he was attempting a mere 24 four-pointers in 45 games over his first two seasons.
Spencer's newfound love for the deep jumper has allowed him to make the most of his extended opportunities, especially when Curry is out with injuries. He briefly captured the imagination of the NBA public last month, earning the nickname "that mother(expletive)" from teammates after a string of impressive performances.
Kerr praises Spencer as a backup point guard who can win games on his own. With minutes that have dropped off since his standout stretch in December, Spencer remains a sparkplug off the bench whenever called upon, even as his game numbers approach the limit.
As a full-time Warrior, Spencer will now be able to unleash his "let it rip" mentality with reckless abandon. His transformation from oddity to reliable rotational player is a testament to the team's ability to identify and nurture talent in unexpected places.