It has been an interesting road for Sacramento Kings’ Harry Giles in his rookie campaign. But he has made gradual strides in living up to his high expectations.
The 2018-2019 season has been a fun one for the Sacramento Kings. Even though playoff contention does not seem like a reality for them, they are over succeeding their preseason expectations as they sit as the ninth seed in the tough Western Conference.
Many bright spots have been on display for the purple and white. The most popular one being the rise of their young talent.
Most NBA fans will turn to the blazing De’Aaron Fox or exciting Marvin Bagley III when talking about the rise of the young Kings. But, in my opinion, Harry Giles is another person that should be discussed more.
Going Through Harry’s Rookie Campaign
The journey has been up and down for Giles in his first NBA season. Entering the campaign with high expectations due to finally being healthy and having a great preseason, the beginning stage of his career was a flop.
In his first 23 games, Giles averaged only five points a game which resulted in the 20-year old to receive a very minimal role with the team. Harry even spent time in the G-League in order to make sure he kept getting consistent action throughout the year. Although it was discouraging at the time, it was a blessing in disguise for Giles. Once Giles showed he can dominate against G-League competition, his efficiency and role with the Kings started to increase.
Entering the new year, the game started to slow down for Giles as he improved in almost every statistical category. In his last 35 games, all in 2019, Giles is averaging over eight points and four rebounds a night while being one of the better playmakers on the team. His physicality and aggressive nature have also been a big plus for the Kings on the defensive end as his rebounding and shot-blocking skills have improved.
Final Thoughts
It was a tough start for Harry Giles to begin his NBA career. But in time, he has found his niche with the Kings which is a cheerful sight for the team and their fans to see.
Hopefully, the pattern of improvement continues for Harry. The Kings are banking on their young talent to blossom, which most of them have during the team’s rebuild. But if Giles is able to reach his potential, that could take the Kings to heights that they have not seen in over a decade.