"The jumper gives Brooklyn spacing, and it gives Démin a base to build on. But the next step is the one that changes how defenses treat him. It's not another layer of shot-making. It's learning how to consistently get into the paint and get to where he wants to go on the floor, on his terms, against NBA bodies and NBA game plans."
"That's the difference between being a shooter defenses can chase and a creator who forces help, shifts coverage and opens the court for everyone else. And it's easy to see why this is the swing skill, especially because shooting was supposed to be Démin's biggest concern entering the league."
"Everything gets harder if he can't touch the paint consistently. His reads get tighter. His passing windows shrink. His jumpers are more contested because defenses don't have to respect the drive in the same way."
Egor Démin has established himself as an elite rookie shooter, ranking ninth on the Rookie Ladder with 38.5% three-point accuracy on 6.3 attempts per game. While his shooting provides Brooklyn valuable spacing, his development hinges on learning to consistently attack the paint and create scoring opportunities on his own terms. Currently averaging only 3.1 drives per game compared to elite point guards averaging 16-18 drives, Démin must develop this skill to force defensive help and open the court for teammates. Without consistent paint access, his shooting becomes more contested and his playmaking options diminish. Head coach Jordi Fernández emphasizes that summer development will be crucial for this progression.
Read at New York Daily News
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