Orlando (United States) (AFP)
They are eight French players to be affected by the resumption of the NBA season from Thursday in the Disney World bubble, with disparate ambitions.
. Noah, Gobert and Poirier dream of a ring
What if the beautiful story was written for Joakim Noah? At 35, returned from a serious injury to an Achilles tendon last summer which could have forced him to withdraw from the courts, the pivot is now in the race for the title, within the Clippers who l 'hired in reinforcement this summer.
Since the 2010-2011 campaign when he reached the Eastern Conference final with the Bulls, "Jooks" (best defenseman of the season in 2014, two All-Star Game selections), has not known such ambition.
The context of the pandemic could also give him a more important role than that of third pivot in the hierarchy of the team, since Montrezl Harrell has still not returned to the bubble after his departure for a family emergency, and Ivica Zubac has barely reinstated her.
“Winning the NBA title, after all we've been through, it would be a great comeback”: this is how Rudy Gobert would like his eventful season to end, which saw him pass, in a month, from the joy of a first All-Star Game, in affliction with his positive Covid-19 test which resulted in the interruption of the season on March 11.
All while collecting critical acids for his reckless attitude towards the virus, the result of an unfortunate tactile joke for which he apologized, and a falling out with the other star of the Jazz Donovan Mitchell who reproached him for having him transmitted the Covid-19.
Four and a half months later, cured, morally refreshed, here is the pivot determined to turn the page, especially since the reconciliation has taken place with his teammate. But Utah, 4th in the Western Conference, is more of an outsider than a favorite, unless that extra soul transcends it.
For his first NBA season, Vincent Poirier has so far been little used in the Boston rotation, averaging just over five minutes. This should hardly change, but the finals may be at the end, the Celtics being part with Toronto, the defending champion, of the two formations likely to thwart the march forward of the Bucks of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
. Fournier and Luwawu-Cabarrot to perform well in the play-offs
Still making progress this season, with an average of 18.8 points, Evan Fournier confirms that he is a part of the Magic and his second offensive weapon. Orlando, 8th in the East and on course to ensure his presence in the play-offs, would prefer to play them by being seeded N.7 to avoid Milwaukee. Appearing somewhat rusty during the friendly matches, Fournier will have to wake up quickly.
Retained by Brooklyn after two short-term contracts, Thimoté Luwawu-Cabarrot made his hole by showing good things off the bench in a workforce decimated by injuries. So much so that the back, author of his best matches in March (21 points against Charlotte, 16 in Boston, 19 against San Antonio, 13 with the Lakers, as victories), could well start holder within Nets 7th in the East.
. Hoard, Mahinmi and Okobo far from the play-offs
Except for Jaylen Hoard, admittedly very little used by Portland, 9th in the West and who aims for the 8th place occupied by Memphis, the chances of qualifying are very slim for Ian Mahinmi (Washington) and Elie Okobo (Phoenix), who have nevertheless showed that they could be of service to their team this season.
© 2020 AFP