Peyton Watson is thrilled about his new surroundings. He himself confirmed this during his unveiling as the Cavaliers’ latest addition, emphasizing how his defensive level could benefit from sharing the floor with Nikola Jokic while being backed by Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. He noted that this move would allow him to push the intensity on this end of the court even higher.
“I think it gives me a bit more room to be more aggressive on defense. I’ll be able to press the passing lanes and the ball-handlers harder, knowing that behind me I have two great rim protectors in Jarrett and Evan,” he said. “I believe that makes us a defensive threat because we can be very aggressive and physical, while also allowing very few baskets near the rim.”
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That defensive capability, paired with a notable improvement in his three-point shooting, has led many to regard Watson as one of the league’s most promising 3-and-D players. Yet the former Nugget has not been fond of that label. He argues that he aims to become a player defined by his versatility, someone who goes beyond that definition, suggesting that we may soon see his game evolve into something even more complete.
“I don’t like limiting myself to that term. I don’t feel it fully defines me as a person or as a player, since I’m working to be someone who can do many different things. But it’s true that when I entered the league that was the role I wanted to occupy because it’s what earned me minutes on the floor. Now I have to keep growing and improving so that I can’t be pigeonholed.”
