Heat's Cook heating up
Heat rookie Daequan Cook's production is on the upswing, earning him some valuable playing time.
Posted on Wed, Nov. 21, 2007Digg del.icio.us AIM reprint print email
BY PATRICK DORSEY
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Fellow Ohio State freshman Daequan Cook, meanwhile, didn't even get a start during his team's run to the 2007 NCAA championship game.
OK, so he did start. Once -- in 39 appearances.
Jump ahead about eight months, and everything has changed. Oden, considered the ''next great center'' and drafted No. 1 overall by the Trail Blazers, is out for the season because of a knee injury. Conley, taken fourth overall, was buried on a Grizzlies roster deep with point guards before sustaining an injured right shoulder.
And Cook? The 21st overall selection, considered more of a pick with potential than a first-year contributor, is on an upswing in an up-and-down rookie season. He played the final 15:19 in a one-point loss at Boston last week. He then was the first guard off the bench, finishing with 10 points in 22 minutes, in a win at New Jersey on Saturday.
In short, Cook almost is locked into coach Pat Riley's rotation.
Almost.
''He's playing well, so he's going to keep getting his name called,'' Riley said after practice Tuesday. ``It might not be all the time, but I have great confidence in him.''
Great confidence? In a 20-year-old? But isn't Riley a veteran-oriented coach who is reluctant to play rookies, especially ones with a year of college experience?
Even Riley is a bit shocked.
''He's young,'' Riley said, ``so it's a surprise for me.''
But Riley said surprise is more age-based than anything. He pointed to Cook's work ethic and willingness to improve. Anyone who shows those qualities, Riley said, gets consideration for playing time.
Cook's ability doesn't hurt, either. This athletic 6-5 wing player is shooting 36.4 percent from three-point range and 46.5 percent overall.
He also displays a quality rare to rookies: fearlessness. Although some NBA rookies are afraid to shoot, Cook shows little hesitation. ''He's not shy,'' Udonis Haslem said. ``He's definitely not shy.''
To Cook, it all is about confidence.
