Minott averaged 13.3 points in three preseason games before Wednesday and was shooting 50% from three-point range entering the game. His new mental approach has enabled his shot to look better than it ever has.
“Most importantly, it’s my mentality. I don’t even care about missing anymore,” Minott said. “It’s not something I fear. I used to fear, ‘Oh, if I miss this shot, then this domino effect happens.’ Or, ‘Oh, I’m going to hurt the team.’ Now it’s like, every time I shoot the ball, it’s one of two things — I’m going to make it or miss it. I don’t really care too much. And when I stop caring, it goes in.”
This also became apparent to Finch, who raved about how Minott was developing over the summer.
“Not living and dying with all the results of every play out there, it just kind of tempered his emotions a bit,” Finch said. “It was probably most kind of obvious in his shot. His shot looks good. He’s making it at a high level. He’s taking it with no hesitation.”
When asked how he dealt with bench duty for most of the first two seasons of his NBA career, Minott smiled and said, “Hakuna matata.” No worries has been Minott’s motto, and now that he’s stopped worrying so much about it, significant playing time has never been closer. Just how much of it will there be once the season begins Tuesday?
“Just staying patient, staying ready. Whatever’s supposed to happen will happen,” Minott said. “Trusting in God’s plan. It hasn’t led me astray yet.”
