Wesley Iwundu … We have to stay more square. The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have signed free agent forward Wes Iwundu. Wesley Iwundu - Career stats, game logs, biographical info, awards, and achievements for the NBA, G-League, and NCAA. Kristaps Porzingis might make his debut… But Dallas will still be shorthanded. The eye test has to be used when judging Iwundu’s defense. Ross finished with 11 points on 3-of-12 shooting (0-of-4 from deep) with Iwundu hounding him all game long. I’m always ready for whatever. the NBA Privacy Center, it will apply to data controlled independently by the NBA. If you make a request through the WarnerMedia Privacy Center, In the four meetings this season against the Raptors, the Magic shot 38 percent overall and 27.7 percent from 3-point distance. Wesley Deshawn Iwundu (born December 20, 1994) is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Josh Hart is really the only guy off the Pels’ bench who plays defense, and they desperately need someone who can backup Brandon Ingram at small forward, so Iwundu may get minutes. Quote & Analysis: Iwundu Stepping Up, Raptors’ Smothering Defense & More. | Home Customizable Rankings Projections Injuries Defensive Rankings Waiver Wire Target/Touch Leaders Trade Value Charts. However, according to Rick Carlisle, there was one really important aspect of the game that flew under the radar — the defensive play of newcomer Wes Iwundu off the bench. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. The Magic defense was 5 points better per 100 possessions with Iwundu oon the floor, with a really good 104.6 defensive rating. Despite not having three key players in Josh Richardson, Dorian Finney-Smith and Jalen Brunson due to Covid-19, the Mavs were still able to beat the Magic handily, thanks to a 36-point performance from Tim Hardaway Jr., a 29-point performance from Trey Burke and yet another triple-double from Luka Doncic. In the second quarter I think we just moved the ball quicker, making faster decisions, playing off the catch and getting the defense moving. Get play-by-play updates on the Sacramento Kings vs. New Orleans Pelicans basketball game. Orlando Magic's Wes Iwundu (25) shoots as Milwaukee Bucks' Donte DiVincenzo (0) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball first … We delve deep into analytics to provide the best advice plus the latest breaking news. In three seasons with the Magic, he averaged 4.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 17.6 minutes in 182 games (46 … It was one of the things we talked about today. However, according to Rick Carlisle, there was one really important aspect of the game that flew under the radar — the defensive play of newcomer Wes Iwundu off the bench. Latest on New Orleans Pelicans small forward Wes Iwundu including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN "Our bench really gave us a lift. Iwundu is also a good positional defensive rebounder (5.3 defensive per game, and 6.4 total) and paired with his ball handling ability, he’s quite effective cleaning up defensive misses and pushing the ball in transition … Regarding his ball handling, he’s very good, especially at changing pace, and utilizing a … Individual defense for some guys isn’t a natural thing. That is good stuff. In 32 minutes off the bench, Iwundu indeed didn’t score a basket as Carlisle alluded to, but he did grab six rebounds, two steals and had a handful of high-energy defensive plays that won’t show up in the box score. No portion of NBA.com may be duplicated, redistributed or manipulated in any form. It all starts with the team. Grind Paying Off For Magic's Wes Iwundu. But it all starts with the team. Last year, Iwundu led the team with the best defended field goal percentage. Williamson managed to play 31 minutes in Monday's win over the Celtics, but he'll need at least one game off due to the thumb injury Josh Hart's fantasy value will increase, while Wesley Iwundu should get more rotation minutes after playing just five Monday night. That’s one thing I talked to them about today. You know — bring the energy. All rights reserved. Iwundu (6-6, 195) was selected by Orlando with the 33 rd pick of the 2017 NBA Draft. NBA Privacy Center | They are very physical. And when we’re not, it’s hard. “Wes Iwundu can actually top Cleveland’s board if it’s willing to dangle most, if not all, of the MLE to wrench him from the Orlando Magic. Lacking a degree of physicality, it will be interesting to see how Iwundu fares against stronger wings at the next level. QUOTE: “That’s just the work I’ve been putting in. The Dallas Mavericks have won three consecutive games and are now over .500 at 5-4 after Saturday nights 112-98 home win over the Orlando Magic. Do Not Sell My Personal Information | Get expert fantasy help on your decision to start Trey Burke or Wes Iwundu. I'm always trying to get a stop, lock (someone) up.”. Orlando’s other role players will also have to contribute. Kudos to Nick Nurse for making sure his squad didn’t get complacent after winning the title last season. First, the team announced they had picked up the third-year option on swingman Wes Iwundu’s rookie contract, which was a mere formality. QUOTE: “I think for the most part we were trying to stick with our game plan. We've reached 25,945,027 users and counting ... NFL. He was the 33rd overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft selected by the Orlando Magic. We have to all go out there with the same mindset and try to win the game. That helped more in the second half.” Terrence Ross on difference between his team’s offensive execution pre and post-halftime. ANALYSIS: The Magic were reminded of just how stifling the Raptors’ defense is during Wednesday’s loss. They play well together. And that is while being on a pretty good defensive team overall. Copyright © 2021 NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Especially if Aaron Gordon is unable to play against Philadelphia on Friday, and it is doubtful he will with a strained left hamstring, Iwundu will have to continue to play well off the bench. He deserves a lot of credit for this win.". You have to be able to contain the ball to a certain degree in this league. Last season, they gave up the eighth most. Terms of Use | ANALYSIS: Iwundu got extended minutes against Toronto with Michael Carter-Williams out due to a left foot tendon strain, and he made the most of the opportunity with 11 points on 4-of-6 overall shooting and 2-of-3 3-point shooting. In 2016 he made the Big 12 All-Defensive team at … Said Wes: “(For me) it's just going out there, having fun, and just trying to get some wins. QUOTE: “Better technique and better determination. "I go out there with the same mindset every game. Iwundu definitely lived up to those words, as he brought high energy in every second of his first real opportunity of the season for the Mavs against his former team. They are just a really good team. Wes Iwundu: 18.1: 5.0: 2.7: 1.1: 41%: 37%: 53% +1.9 : One of the significant changes in Steve Clifford ’s rotation midway through the year that really kick-started Orlando’s season is when second-year forward Wes Iwundu was awarded regular bench minutes in place of veteran Jonathon Simmons. Points Produced Per Game2015-16 Big 12 12.3 (13th)2016-17 Big 12 13.3 (12th)2 Seasons in Top 20. QUOTE: “I think for the most part we were trying to stick with our game plan. We got some guys who are capable. With five out, four out, one in there’s so much skill on the floor. Mavericks' Wes Iwundu: Doesn't play in Monday's win CBSSports.com. Orlando has a plethora of above-average defenders, and yet they have struggled preventing opposing guards from driving past them. He was always finding the right spots, and doing what his team needed him to do, and not trying to do too much. Inconsistency on defense has resulted in peaks and valleys throughout the campaign, pushing them out of the current top 10 of the Western Conference standings. QUOTE: “They play hard. Monday night as New Orleans visits the ACC. Iwundu didn't play during Monday's win over Orlando. “I don't know if he scored a basket, but he was a plus-17 and he chased (Terrence) Ross around, who is a deadly weapon for them. In this play, Wesley Iwundu uses his athleticism to help Terry Rozier and use his length to … "For the Mavs' fans, I'm a hard worker,'" said Iwundu on our Mavs Step Back Podcast preseason exclusive interview. Opponents shot just 40.6 percent when he was the closest defender to the shooter. He played college basketball for Kansas State University. It’s definitely a challenge playing against them. I LOVE Iwundu, very EXCITED about this! ORLANDO, FLA -- Houston Rockets guard and reigning NBA MVP James Harden is the top priority on every opponent’s scouting report. It’s hard to see where Iwundu’s minutes will come from once Josh Richardson, Jalen Brunson, Dorian Finney-Smith, and now, as we’ve just learned, Maxi Kleber as well, return from their quarantining periods, but if he keeps playing with the same tenacity we saw on Saturday night — or doing the ‘dirty work’ so to speak — it’s going to be very hard for Carlisle not to play him going forward. His 2020-21 season salary is $1,678,854. Accessibility and Closed Caption | Wesley Iwundu is a 26-year old American professional basketball player who plays at the Small Forward or Shooting Guard position for the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA. Defense is his primary calling card, but Iwundu proved he had a well-rounded game in college. Do whatever is needed for my teammates.”. ... Iwundu’s defense helped spark the second unit that struggled to find consistency in the first half of the season. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Privacy Act, please use the links below to visit each company’s privacy center. Check... and check. If the Magic see the Raptors again in the playoffs, which is what Orlando hopes happens because that would mean they climbed to the No. But it’s important that everyone does their role, play their part in this process.” – Wes Iwundu on everyone stepping up while team is shorthanded. Milwaukee and Toronto have the two best defenses in the league. Wes Iwundu did a tremendous job off the bench,” said head coach Rick Carlisle after the game. If you’re getting blown by every night, you better be a great offensive player.” Steve Clifford on team struggling to keep ball handlers in front of them. The Dallas Mavericks had some big performances from Luka Doncic, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Trey Burke in their win over the Magic, but it was the defensive play of Wes Iwundu that caught Rick Carlisle’s attention. I showed them a lot. ANALYSIS: This has been a puzzling weakness of the Magic for a big portion of the season. Gary Clark was another reserve who thrived Wednesday against the Raptors with 10 points. They need to be technique freaks. MAVERICKS SIGN FORWARD WES IWUNDU. WarnerMedia Privacy Center | If you make a request through Terrence Ross is off to his best shooting and scoring start in his nine-year career for Orlando this season, averaging 18 points per game on 42% shooting from deep heading into last night’s game. Cavs: B/R suggestion of Wes Iwundu as FA target would help defense The Cleveland Cavaliers need defensive help. Per Second Spectrum tracking data, Orlando has surrendered the third most points on blow-bys in the league this season. Defensively, Iwundu's size, length, and energy allowed him to defend multiple positions at the college level. No matter who the Magic match up with in the playoffs – the Bucks or the Raptors – it’s not going to be easy, obviously. it will apply to data controlled jointly by the NBA and WarnerMedia as well as other data controlled by WarnerMedia. And we were getting just used to the game pace and how the game was going. Iwundu has a big opportunity ahead of him. I’m still just trying to go out there and get the job done. He was one of my favorites in his draft class that year. He is also 6'6.75" in shoes with 7'1" wingspan. ANALYSIS: Nobody thought the Raptors would be this good after losing Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green in free agency. I do hope we play against them (the Raptors) in the playoffs.” Evan Fournier on challenges Toronto presents. We got to slide better, believe it or not. Iwundu is still raw offensively but that’s not what he’s known for nor what he’s being signed for. Manage Preferences, Orlando Magic at Toronto Raptors: Game Preview, Orlando Magic Sign Devin Cannady to Two-Way Contract, Wendell Carter Jr. Shines Against Former Team as Magic Roll Past Bulls, 10 Interesting Basketball Facts About Donta Hall. First reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Mavericks agreed to terms on a two-year deal with former Orlando Magic forward Wes Iwundu. He was +5.3, +4.9, +5.0 Defensive On/Off the last three years. Everything we have to get offensively is hard. These two teams hadn’t met since late November, so it wasn’t surprising it took a little while before Orlando got into a rhythm. If Coach needs me to play less than ten (minutes), more than ten, it doesn’t matter. When our technique is good, we are fine. Next test? This site is operated jointly by NBA and WarnerMedia. Iwundu can’t shoot at all, but the Pelicans don’t need scoring, they need guys who play hard and can defend, which Iwundu should be able to do in bursts. With that … 2 ranked defense. But, the Magic are a confident club and they’re itching for a rematch against the team that knocked them out of last year’s postseason in five games. That’s just me as a player. After shooting 25 percent and missing all nine of their 3-point attempts in the first quarter, the Magic started playing at a quicker pace, which caught Toronto off guard a few times. 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