Incoming Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Emoni Bates had a very good Tuesday night.
It is true that his team lost their preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks, 108-107, but Bates impressed everyone who was watching.
The highlight of the forward’s night came right at the end, as he scored an exhilarating three-pointer with 11 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Unfortunately for Cleveland, the Hawks had an answer for the three-pointer and ended up taking home the victory.
Regardless, it was a big night for Bates and head coach J.B. Bickerstaff took note.
According to Serena Winters, Bickerstaff had nothing but great things to say about Bates after the game.
“He’s a really good basketball player,” Bickerstaff said.
He added: “He has the ability to make open shots, but he also has the ability to create shots for himself.”
“When you have a guy like that, that’s been through the pressure that he’s been through since he was 12 years old, that last shot meant nothing,” he concluded.
J.B. Bickerstaff after @BatesEmoni preseason debut, says ‘best is yet to come.’ #Cavs pic.twitter.com/xfYPqDSt58
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) October 11, 2023
Bates was very grateful for his chance to shine and his 10 points will definitely be remembered in the weeks ahead.
For seasoned veterans, the NBA preseason is all about shaking off the rust and getting back into the swing of professional basketball.
But for newcomers and rookies, preseason games are a way to prove themselves.
That is what Bates did on Tuesday night.
Now he will have a chance to do it again and again as the preseason goes on.
If he continues to play like this, he will have a good chance of securing a lot of minutes in the new season.
Bates’ time with the Cavaliers has officially started with a bang.
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