Which NBA players Patrick Baldwin Jr. wants to emulate in Warriors career
Who Baldwin Jr. wants to emulate to be ‘multifacted’ for Dubs originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
LAS VEGAS — As a coach’s son, Patrick Baldwin Jr. watched basketball film growing up just as much as Space Jam or any other childhood movie. With his father, Patrick Baldwin Sr., being a former player and longtime college coach, the two turned on tape earlier than most kids even know how to play the game.
In those early years, Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony were the players Baldwin watched religiously. From as young as he can remember, Baldwin believed he’d be just like Kobe and Melo, two of the all-time greats. Those film sessions haven’t stopped now.
When the Warriors brought Baldwin in for a pre-draft visit, it was much more of a meeting than a workout. He got some shots up at Chase Center, but what stood out most was the maturity the 19-year-old exudes, along with his knowledge of the game well beyond his years while watch film. Those film sessions now aren’t about watching idols.
Everything is done with a purpose to further his game, which played a major role in the Warriors trusting his upside and preparation to take him with the No. 28 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, despite a disappointing lone college season.
“As you know, the game has changed a lot,” Baldwin said to NBC Sports Bay Area on the latest episode of Dubs Talk in an interview during the Las Vegas Summer League. “I like to watch [Kevin Durant], I like to watch Khris Middleton, I like to watch [Jayson Tatum]. I’m watching Otto Porter Jr., Michael Porter Jr. — guys that I think have roles that I can fill some day.
“It’s just important to be multifaceted and learn from everybody.”
Theoretically, Baldwin should be a matchups nightmare. He’s over 6-foot-9 and listed anywhere from 220 pounds to 231 pounds, with a near 7-foot-2 wingspan. He already has advanced ball-handling skills for his size, a smooth shot and lets it fly from a KD-like unblockable release point. All that sounds great.
Source : yahoo
