Rookie Regards: Alexey Shved

We are really beginning to see an increase in talent among the incoming rookie classes.  It’s something that none of us can quite put our finger on, but it seems like athletes are becoming ready for the NBA at a younger and younger age every year.  With the restriction of having to be at least 1 year removed from high school in place, many of these guys are already at a very highly competitive level of play in their first year.  Some of them though, have already competed at the professional level, like Alexey Shved.

Shved joined the Minnesota Timberwolves’ after having played professionally in Russia since 2006 (if you want more info on that, I'd suggest reading my post from November titled "From Russia, With Love").  Even though he has so many years of pro ball playing under his belt, there is no league in the world that is as talented as the NBA, and he is just as fresh to that as any other rookie. 

With injuries to Ricky Rubio and Brandon Roy, Minnesota threw Shved right into their regular rotation.  He’s averaging 27.5 minutes per game throughout his first 25, starting in 6 of those games.  His style of play is already drawing him comparisons to Rubio, but at 6’6” Shved is much taller for the position he plays.  With that height, Shved also has some serious dunking ability that has only been shown off a couple times since he arrived in the NBA.

The most important thing about Alexey Shved though, is that it looks like the time for his breakthrough is right now.  He’s really stepped his game up ever since Rubio returned from his injury.  He played a key part in Minnesota’s game against the Thunder, scoring 12 points while adding career highs in assists and rebounds (12 and 7, respectively) on the way to his first double-double and a victory over a team that had won 12 in a row.  Having Rubio around is helping Shved’s performance, and as Rubio’s recovery permits him to play more, don’t be surprised if Shved’s numbers go up as well.

These two really do have the potential to be a great frontcourt duo.  Both are very light on their feet and have years of experience developing their Euro-style of play overseas.  Rubio’s smooth dribbling and slick passing could help Shved’s slasher scoring emerge to it's peak potential.  Don’t expect everything to be working every single night though.  Shved is still new to the NBA, and mistakes are going to be plentiful.

During Sunday night’s loss to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, Shved air-balled a three-pointer that would have given his team the lead with under a minute remaining.  He made up for it later, ripping the ball from JR Smith and getting open for another three-pointer that cut New York’s lead to 1 point.  In the end, Shved attempted to send the game into overtime with another shot from long distance, air-balling for a second time in the final minute.

As with any rookie though, Shved has some serious developing to do and plenty of time to do it.  Eventually, he’ll learn to hit those big shots more consistently.  If not, at least he’ll be able to figure out when it’s the right time to give the ball up to a teammate.