By Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Sports journalist
While waiting for his first official steps in the NBA, Zaccharie Risacher made a remarkable preseason debut with the Hawks. This obviously caused a lot of talk in France, but less in the United States, which annoyed an American journalist.
If the Summer League can be compared to a simple warm-up, the preseason NBA would therefore serve as a much more thorough warm-up, or even as a way to get into the starting blocks. It is therefore better to shine during the latter. This is good for Zaccharie Risacher, who appeared much more fit in recent hours than three months earlier in the jersey of the Hawks.
Relatively timid and not really in phase with his shooting, the young French winger did not leave a very good image of himself during the summer competition. However, this Tuesday, it was a completely different player who splashed the floor of the State Farm Arena with his talent. A change which was also fully felt in the reactions that his performance generated.
Zaccharie Risacher still unfairly snubbed in the NBA?
Privileged spectator of Risacher’s good match, Trae Young didn’t need more to get excited about her. In the same way as many Internet users impressed by his prowess… and somewhat frustrated with the media treatment he may have received. This was, for example, the case of the American journalist Bradeaux, who was angry with the giants ESPN et SportsCenter :
Bradeaux : The most despised 1st pick in recent NBA history just failed in his first preseason game and he didn’t get a single mention from ESPN or SportsCenter… I hope Risacher will prove them all wrong.
It is true that neither of the two media outlets cited above mentioned the performance of the French international, at least on social networks.
This would unfortunately confirm the status that was granted to him here by Bradeaux, namely that of the most despised 1st Draft choice in recent years. An unfortunate trend that had already been observed via a recent survey of league GMs. The host of Bradeaux&Will Show nevertheless made sure to defend the Atlanta rookie body and soul on X :
@Cawabunga_85 : If releasing this line of stats is “a hit” 🤦
Bradeaux : At 22 minutes, that’s a great stat line.
@Donnie_esp : Ant was even more despised
Bradeaux : I don’t think so. Risacher didn’t even appear on a billboard or any poster during Summer League. The marketing section of the league doesn’t care about him at all.
Despite his sparkling performance against the Pacers, Zaccharie Risacher was once again shunned by some of the main media covering the NBA. A phenomenon that might not displease him, he who seems comfortable away from the spotlight.
