Usman Garuba I finally knew what it feels like to start in an NBA game. In a particularly tough season of learning for him, he had that experience early Thursday morning in the game that measured his team, the Rocketsbefore the Kings of Sacramento.
Garuba played 26 minutes in which I achieved 8 points and 7 rebounds, the three figures are a personal best this season, as well as the 3 of 5 in field goals and the three free throws that he attempted. After a year full of physical misfortunes, between injuries and covid, and assignments to the linked G-League team, the former Madrid player is experiencing a very complicated stage that could begin to clear now that we are approaching the end of the League regular. Although there is little left, demonstrations of taking advantage of opportunities like he has done against the Kings can give him priceless baggage for next season.
“It’s been a difficult season for me“Said Garuba at the end of the game against Sacramento in words collected by Sporting News. “I have had injuries. I have had many things. The first time alone without my family, moving alone to a different country…”.
The obstacles have been many and very continuous, but nothing better than having overcome them all and now having the reward of playing and doing it from the beginning: “Now I have the opportunity to play and I am very happy and excited about it.. I want to prepare for the NBA, get playing time, help my teammates play their game. I want to improve as a player in everything. I think I need to find the rhythm with my partners. It has been a long time. I’m looking forward to this happening,” the Rockets rookie said optimistically.
Garuba sabe that we are facing the last throes of the season and it is possible that a good part of the minutes that he has these days are precisely because the campaign is coming to an end and Houston, from almost the beginning, has been without options to get into the Playoffs. But the goal is to think further: “I lost this to, but I will work hard all this summer, so it will be good. I’m excited about that. It’s been pretty hard being alone and all that. It’s what you wanted. I’m excited about it“.