A little kid naptime tape review. Video courtesy of
@tcf15. From Newton's freshman season against us, Hurley's 2nd year. Reminder that this was 2 years ago, so he's improved since then.
0:32 - He scores their first basket on a fake pass, drive over Cole. Not an electric first step, but got into Cole's body to create space and showed the size to rise up and touch to knock it down off the move as a freshman
1:30 - Defends Bouknight in semi-transition. Does a pretty nice job staying in front, standing him up, and contesting the shot and forcing the miss.
Couple possessions where Vital beat him to his spots. Vital was so good. Then Gilbert guarding him and gave him some trouble. But
5:35 he does a nice job of reading the hard hedge and having the size and touch to pass over the top to the roll man. He drew the foul with his pass.
8:36 - Gilbert hounds him full court. Tough matchup for the freshman against a 4th year quick guard like Gilbert. But Newton fends him off with some behind the back moves and then attacks his strength in the matchup by driving right into Gilbert and scoring over him. Kadary Richmond-esque.
9:00 - Tracks back and helps on defensive glass, then reads Bouknight lost in a cross match and finds his guy with the hit ahead pass. If we want to play faster, these hit-ahead passes are definitely one way.
Next possession on D, Vital burns him with a hesi step-back. Vital was playing so well in this stretch. Newton used his length to contest, but had given him too much cushion in the first place. Effort level on other possessions is good. Showing, digging, rotating.
14:30 - Another really good job of being in control and using his height/length to burn our hedge and hit the roll man in the PnR. Having a tall PnR point guard must be so nice.
17:05 - Just once again abuses Gilbert by rising up right over him. Misses the first shot, but follows his own miss well.
21:19 - Finds the open spot in the break. Unselfishly finds his man completely open down low. Man gets fouled and misses a bunny. Think
@husky429 calls these potential assists. That's the 2nd pass that's drawn a foul in addition to his actual assists.
30:59 - Good vision but maybe a bit too tough pass to his big on the break. A little risky. But then makes a nice cut to the basket. Misses the floater, but gets a hand on the rebound and intentionally tips it to his own guy. Reads the outlet for the steal but just goes out of bounds. Very active.
(Bonus -
37:20 - Bouknight alley-oop slam. "I thought that was going into the stands!")
40:04 - Hits the roll man again, this time with a little float pass from the left side.
41:49 - Late clock ISO. Big enough to bump heavy Josh out of the way to make space for more driving. Draws a foul, makes both. Soft touch gets a roll.
Halftime. 10 points, 3 assists (+2 drawn shooting foul assists), 3 rebounds.
Kid is awake. Will do the 2nd half later tonight.