Webster proves a hot shot
Corey Webster has already wowed the New Orleans Pelicans with his shooting; now the Kiwi NBA hopeful just needs to find the hot hand in the pre-season arena.
Webster plays his second preseason game for the Pelicans on Saturday (NZ time) when they take on the Atlanta Hawks in Jacksonville, Florida, where he will be looking to get his offensive basketball game going a little more than he was able to in their first-up 110-105 victory at the Indiana Pacers.
Webster’s eight minutes and 23 seconds in that game were spent exclusively at the point guard position and he managed just one shot (a missed step-back jumper) alongside three assists and a rebound.
Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said he’s been impressed by Webster’s commitment to the cause (he paid for his own flights to New Orleans) and describes the undersized Kiwi guard as the kind of person ‘‘you pull for’’. However, he will want to see some signs of the New Zealander’s offensive game translating on to the floor in the pre-season schedule.
But as the 26-year-old New Zealander, on leave from the Breakers to try and nail down a full roster spot with the Pelicans, spoke with media in New Orleans on Friday (NZT), it was his shooting of another description that garnered initial interest.
Webster won the Pelicans skeet shooting contest held at their train- ing camp in West Virginia, and reporters were eager to hear of his prowess with a gun in his hand.
‘‘I’ve never shot a gun in my life. It’s the first time I’ve ever done it,’’ said Webster who reportedly connected on 25 of his 30 shots at the flying targets.
‘‘I guess it was just beginner’s luck. Maybe I’ve just got a good eye for shooting. I don’t know what it was.’’
After putting reporters straight around gun-use in New Zealand and the relative scarcity of the weapons in the average Kiwi household, Webster spoke about his experience so far as he battles with five players for what’s thought to be two permanent roster spots up for grabs.
Asked what he needed to do to give himself a shot at the full roster spot, Webster said: ‘‘I just need to continue to be aggressive, make the right plays, compete at both ends of the floor and just [show] consistency. Every day I’ve got to get better and prove to the guys that it wouldn’t be a risk to bring me on.’’
Webster said his main adjustments had been around the pace of the NBA game and size and athleticism of the players, but the rest was ‘‘just basketball’’ and something he was equipped to deal with.
He also spoke of his mindset through these pre-season games.
‘‘You’ve got to realise someone is always watching. Maybe things won’t work out here, that’s out of my hands, but there’s always always opportunities to prove yourself when you step out on court.’’