"But after spending two weeks being mentored by perhaps the game's best defensive player, Toohey's basketball interests lie elsewhere. Just speaking to Draymond was big, Toohey told the Bay Area News Group on Monday. Hearing about his journey and how he impacts the game on defense. That's something i want to learn, to get to his level at. How he's developed his basketball IQ by watching games and understanding player's tendencies."
"However, after consulting Green this preseason, Toohey said he has picked up some tricks from the 14-year vet and eight-time All-Defense selection. The big thing (I learned) is, when speaking to Draymond, is knowing players' tendencies, Toohey said. Even if you can't match their foot speed, if you understand where they're trying to get, you can get there before them, and you have to change your angle on closeouts and how you slide your feet."
Alex Toohey is a 6-foot-8 Australian rookie selected No. 52 overall who focused on defense after preseason mentorship from Draymond Green. He worked two weeks with Green to learn defensive impact, basketball IQ and how to study opponents' tendencies. Coaches emphasized improving his ability to switch onto smaller players and defend non-forward matchups. Toohey learned to anticipate where opponents try to go, change angles on closeouts and adjust footwork to compensate for limited foot speed. He missed the preseason with tendonitis in his knee and remains sidelined, but both Toohey and coach Lainn Wilson expressed optimism about his return.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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