Marshall tries to find confidence
PORTLAND, Ore. — Rookie point guard Kendall Marshall arrived in Portland with a beard that was more grown and hopes that his game had, too.
Marshall was waiting for a familiar barber for the beard work but threw himself into the rest of the D-League experience. He used the nine-game stint to improve his defense, willingness to shoot and game shape after not figuring into the Suns rotation before the Nov. 28 assignment to Bakersfield.
“Defending pick-and-rolls, trying to get over them as fast as possible and, secondly, confidence,” Marshall said of the products of his D-League time. “It’s just being aware of picking my spots where I could take my shots. I naturally can get guys involved, but I still have to be a threat so it’s easier on my teammates. Those are two big things I got out of it, as well as just playing. It’s been a long time since I played that many minutes in a game (30.9 per game).”
Marshall said he has not been a primary shot-taker on a team since seventh grade. Whenhehoisted18 shots in his D-League debut, he felt guilty about it.
“I literally felt terrible, like I was ball-hogging,” Marshall said.
Marshall lived up to his playmaking reputation, leading the D-League with 7.6 assists, but also down to his shooting reputation. He made 31.3 percent of his shots and 22.2 percent of his 3-pointers.
“I’m not worried one bit about the shooting percentage,” said Marshall, the Suns’ No. 13 pick in June. “Mybiggest thing was to have the urge to take the shot. That’s something I’ve never done before, so I was happy with myself that I took those shots with confidence. You’ve got to take baby steps.”
Bakersfield coach Will Voigt thought the Jam’s 6-3 record with Marshall was the best indicator of his success there. Healso noted Marshall’s progress on defense, especially in this week’s final appearances. Beyond shooting, Marshall’s ability to defend was a draft concern because of questions about his lateral speed.
“Wedid a lot with him in pick-and-roll defense because that’s usually the biggest adjustment in the pro game with so much ball-screening,” Voigt said. “A lot of pick-and-roll defense has more to do with technique and understanding personnel than blinding athleticism.”
With Marshall’s shot, Voigt said learning when to shoot is hardest on playmakers.
“I was a little bit more aggressive and not as cautious as I usually am,” Marshall said.
Marshall’s known NBA quality — passing — was clear with how he sees the open court and threads passes with precision and zip. This is the skill the Suns are trying to build around. Doing that required leaving the Suns’ charter plans, five-star hotels, uber-staffing, expanded training room and catered locker rooms behind for games played in front of 550 fans.
Twice, he watched from afar as rotation pointguard minutes went to fellow rookie Diante Garrett with Sebastian Telfair missing one game for his father’s funeral and Goran Dragic absent for another due to the flu.
“You definitely appreciate everything you’ve earned to play at this level,” Marshall said. “To go down there and see those circumstances, you realize you have a gift to play this game and to take full advantage of it. You’re no different from them at the end of the day. Obviously, I’ve been blessed with a better opportunity.”
Free throws
Portland rookie point guard Marcus Lillard told Comcast Northwest that he was out to prove he was better than Marshall during draft workouts: “When I had a chance to go in front of every team with Marshall and all the other players that are supposed to be better than me, I made sure I showed them that I was the best.
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