New Orleans Pelicans interim head coach James Borrego spoke highly of Karlo Matkovic’s skillset/professionalism after Friday’s 119-106 road loss vs. the Toronto Raptors (4 points/6 rebounds/1 block/2-4 FG in 17 minutes off the bench).
(via New Orleans Pelicans):
“He’s added a different element to our team. He’s made it very tough for me not to play him, even with so many bigs. We’re playing five bigs I believe, and he’s one of them. I just want him on the floor because he brings great energy, number one. His pace. His speed. His athleticism on both ends. Protecting the rim. Running the floor. He’s a lob threat. Shooting 45% from three. Those guys are hard to find in the NBA: that are that athletic, that can play multiple positions, switchable defensively, and still knock down threes.
“So, they did a good job running him off the line tonight, his corner three. That’s his next step is when he does put it down, how can he generate some more offense for us? But that’s a credit to him that teams are now running him off the line and he’s able to get downhill. That’s his next step this summer and into next year is how does he make plays off the bounce? But I love his spirit, his competitiveness. He’s an incredible teammate. He’s so coachable. Europeans, they’ve been well-coached growing up. He’s one that I enjoy coming to work with every single day. He just brings it.”