{"id":106700,"date":"2024-11-13T08:37:15","date_gmt":"2024-11-13T13:37:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=106700"},"modified":"2024-11-13T08:37:15","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T13:37:15","slug":"yuki-kawamura-skills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/11\/13\/yuki-kawamura-skills\/","title":{"rendered":"It is Time for Yuki Kawamura to Show Off His Skills"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kawamyu01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Yuki Kawamura<\/a> might be one of the most interesting players from the 2024 draft, even though he went undrafted. On the heels of his strong play at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Yuki made it to the NBA.\u00a0Eventually, he signed a <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/10\/19\/grizzlies-bolster-backcourt-depth-popular-point-guard-yuki-kawamura\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">two-way contract<\/a> with the Memphis Grizzlies, which allows him to be on the team, but if needed, he might also get assigned to the G League.\u00a0The Grizzlies probably intended to send Yuki to the G League when it is time, but due to injuries to key players, he might get more playing time in the NBA.<\/p>\n<h2>It is Time for Yuki Kawamura to Show Off His Skills<\/h2>\n<p>As of November 13th, the Memphis Grizzlies have more than half of their guard rotation in street clothes. Initially, Yuki was not getting much playing time. However, in the limited time he got, he showed off some nifty passes. During preseason, his <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/10\/15\/yuki-kawamura-already-has-a-signature-move-memphis-grizzlies\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">no-look passes<\/a> made fans go crazy.\u00a0Yuki is only the fourth Japanese player to make it to the NBA. Fans all over the NBA <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/10\/28\/yuki-kawamura-bronny-james\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">love him<\/a>, they cherish his every touch, shot, and made field goal.<\/p>\n<p>The Grizzlies projected Yuki as the fifth or sixth guard, depending on how you look at it. He had to play behind <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/banede01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Desmond Bane<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/moranja01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ja Morant<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/smartma01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marcus Smart<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/pippesc02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Scotty Pippen Jr<\/a>., <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kennalu01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Luke Kennard<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/k\/konchjo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">John Konchar<\/a>.\u00a0Due to the injuries to Morant, Bane, Smart, and Kennard, he is now one of the first guards off the bench.\u00a0In Memphis\u2019 last game versus the Trailblazers, Yuki got eight minutes of action. He made his second shot of the season, and dished four assists. At the end of the game, Trailblazers fans were chanting his name.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Yuki Kawamura has Portland fans hyped with crazy move then Edey gets heated after game\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8NSNEqosLZ4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Yuki made his first shot in the NBA against the Washington Wizards. But what most fans might remember from that game is his behind-the-back, no-look pass. During the preseason, Yuki Kawamura\u2019s skills for passing dazzled fans. Now, he is showing he can do it during the regular season as well.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Yuki Kawamura INSANE behind-the-back pass and step back 3 has crowd in a frenzy\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/prnurZs1cvc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Will Yuki Get More Playing Time?<\/h3>\n<p>For the next week or two, we can expect Yuki to get more minutes of action on the floor. It is a perfect opportunity for the shortest active player (Yuki is officially listed at 5-foot-8, the only player under 6 feet in the league) to show off his skills.\u00a0Whether that will be through assists or shooting threes, it doesn\u2019t matter, he is quickly becoming a fan favorite.<\/p>\n<h3>Will Yuki Go To the G League?<\/h3>\n<p>The Memphis Grizzlies have a G League Affiliate, the Memphis Hustle. Their season began on November 11th, and their next game is on November 20th.\u00a0As of now, the Grizzlies need Yuki for at least some garbage time minutes. Once Morant, Bane, and Marcus Smart return from injuries, we might see Yuki assigned to the Memphis Hustle. The G League team has <a href=\"https:\/\/memphis.gleague.nba.com\/promotions\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">two more games<\/a> left in November.<\/p>\n<p>Here is a fun fact, he would not be the first Japanese player to appear in a Memphis Grizzlies uniform. His national team colleague, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/watanyu01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Yuta Watanabe<\/a>, started his professional journey with a two-way deal with the Memphis Grizzlies and spent six years in the league.\u00a0For now, it is all about working and growing. When he signed his two-way contract, Yuki posted on Instagram, saying,<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cI\u2019m just getting started and there are still many challenges ahead, but I will continue working hard every day to stand on the NBA court and contribute to the team\u2019s victories. I truly appreciate your support.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-captioned=\"\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DBXiru8vihD\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div style=\"padding: 16px;\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\"width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\"><a style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DBXiru8vihD\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">A post shared by Yuki Kawamura \/ \u6cb3\u6751\u52c7\u8f1d (@kawamurayuki_8)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Yuki Kawamura might be one of the most interesting players from the 2024 draft, even though he went undrafted. On the heels of his strong play at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Yuki made it to the NBA.\u00a0Eventually, he signed a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, which allows him to be on the team, but [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5291,"featured_media":106709,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"1","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,32,62],"tags":[3127,1822,3565,769,428,49058,49401],"class_list":["post-106700","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-grizzlies","category-nba","tag-desmond-bane","tag-ja-morant","tag-john-konchar","tag-luke-kennard","tag-marcus-smart","tag-scotty-pippen-jr","tag-yuki-kawamura"],"modified_by":"Eamon Cassels, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106700","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5291"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=106700"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106700\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/106709"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=106700"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=106700"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=106700"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}