Although there were names snubbed from the NBA’s Rising Stars game, Yanic Konan Niederhauser’s was not. He deserved this honor and showed out for the squad led by Austin Rivers, scoring a team-high 11 points, grabbing two rebounds, and blocking a shot. This performance was exceptional news for fans of the LA Clippers, but it ultimately proved how bright the youngster is and that he is worthy of a promotion to a higher role under Tyronn Lue.
Granted, since the trade deadline, Niederhauser has been playing as the bench center. Though this is a step in the right direction, Lue could do what is best for the team by fully leaning on the rookie to produce.
There is no reason a massive weight should be on the 37-year-old shoulders of Lopez when he has a first-round pick competing at a high level with the best young talent in the world.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser flourished in a way that should have put Tyronn Lue on notice
Yanic Konan Niederhauser demonstrated his scoring potential in the Rising Stars game through several emphatic slams, of course, as those are his favorite, yet he also attempted two three-pointers and drilled one of them.
This hints that he does, in fact, listen; the fanbase has been calling for him to capitalize on his gift in shooting from long distances, and he responded with action, not words.
In just nine and a half minutes, he ensured he took advantage of a dream opportunity that came true, while also showing the LA Clippers’ organization that simple development will take them a very long way into the future. The coordination, athleticism, and basic mechanics are already evident.
Moreover, a close eye will follow Tyronn Lue the rest of the season, as his minutes distribution in the big man rotation will signal how he has assessed Niederhauser’s pre-All-Star break campaign, and the net value of his domination against ‘Team Melo,’ which was full of lottery picks.
In the world fans want to see, the 22-year-old’s playing time will be bumped up to the mid-20s, and hopefully, soon start over Brook Lopez. However, if he stays where he is or moves in the opposite direction, Lue's evaluation process will be portrayed as flawed.
Niederhauser has done everything right and will be coming off one of the best stat lines of the entire mini-tournament. Therefore, he has earned the right to be elevated once more.