Nathan Jawai returns to Timberwolves
VIDEO: Nathan Jawai's weekend assignment to the NBA development league should be seen as a positive, his Cairns mentor says.
Taipans coach Aaron Fearne said the Bamaga behemoth’s relatively limited history in the sport and rapid rise through the ranks mean he is still learning his craft and any opportunity to get big minutes under his belt should be seen as a bonus.
Pictures: Nathan Jawai in Cairns
Fearne, who headed to North America with Jawai for his first year in the league with the Toronto Raptors and their D-League affiliate, the Idaho Stampede, said Jawai would have to constantly prove himself if he wanted to remain an NBA player.
“He has to go out there and prove he deserves that position,” Fearne said of the 23-year-old.
“You’ve got to prove yourself at that level all the time.
“It’s not a free ride.
“There’s a lot of talent (in the D-League) and a lot of guys that would love to be where he is.
“You’ve got to earn your keep and keep proving yourself and make the most an any opportunities that go your way.”
Jawai spent the weekend playing for the Sioux Falls Skyforce but was recalled by the Timberwolves yesterday.
He returned in time for morning shootaround but was not used in the Wolves’ 109-107 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Minneapolis, remaining on the inactive list.
Coach Kurt Rambis called Jawai’s six-point, three-rebound average in two games with the Skyforce against the Dakota Wizards “less than stellar”.
The 208cm Bamaga product could have difficulty regaining his roster spot with new signing Darko Milicic, acquired in a trade with the New York Knicks last week, finishing with eight points and eight rebounds in his debut for the Wolves yesterday.
“It’s probably given him a lot of insight to where his own fitness level is,” Fearne said.
“I think it’s always been the story with Nate, it’s happened so quickly for him and what he needs to be doing is playing.
“He’s obviously playing behind an outstanding centre in Al Jefferson (at the Timberwolves) … and there’s no great opportunity for him to play because of his inexperience.
“The best way to (get those minutes under your belt) over there is to go and play in the D-League.
“It just gives him a chance to play a lot of minutes and play with guys that are really hungry.”
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Nathan Jawai in action for the Minnesota Timberwolves' development league affiliate the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Back to basics: Nathan Jawai spent the weekend playing for the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the NBA's development league.
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