Nick Richards didn’t disappoint in his long-awaited debut with the Phoenix Suns.
In his first sport in a Valley jersey, the middle not too long ago acquired from the Charlotte Hornets helped lead the Phoenix Suns to a 125-121 victory on the highway in opposition to the Detroit Pistons.
In 29 minutes off the bench, Nick Richards had a strong double-double efficiency with 21 factors and 11 boards whereas making a close to excellent 7 of 8 from the sphere.
Richards exceeded expectations to make that first impression amongst Suns followers by being aggressive behind the glass, doing all of the soiled work as a giant man by way of rebounding, screening and simply pure physicality.
Nobody on the Suns was extra impressed with Richards than Mike Budenholzer.
Phoenix’s head coach praised the 27-year-old throughout his postgame media session for his debut efficiency within the group’s victory over Detroit on Saturday.
“He was nice on each ends of the courtroom,” Budenholzer mentioned.
“I assumed he gave us a defensive presence on the glass as nicely. I do not assume he had a blocked shot, however you may really feel his size and you may see him. I assumed the opposite individual’s visuals had modified.
“It is fairly spectacular that he principally arrived yesterday afternoon and performed about 25 minutes and went for 21 and 11.”
In the meantime, Devin Booker had nothing however reward for Richards, who confirmed an all-out method within the middle’s first look with the Suns.
“Nick was nice. He was catching and ending. He was rebounding. Even in his first sport, he performed with good spacing. He is catching and ending with a dunker that is getting consideration.” mentioned Booker.
“That was an enormous takeaway for us. It confirmed tonight.”
Kevin Durant stood as one of many key figures to precise pleasure in regards to the franchise’s commerce to accumulate Richards.
And we could not be extra excited that the previous Kentucky star lived as much as expectations this weekend.
“He was nice,” Durant mentioned. “Ending across the rim. Getting additional possessions, getting offensive boards. He was particular tonight, making 7 of 8 photographs, 7 of 9 free throws, and getting increasingly more.” It is getting extra snug.
“We talked to him like he needed to go on the market and be the anchor of the protection. I like the beginning (from him), dude.”
Together with his spectacular efficiency, Richards has established himself because the Suns’ latest huge man to depend on. And with Jusuf Nurkic’s future in limbo, solely time will inform whether or not he can be elevated to the group’s starter in 5 video games.
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