Kingston Flemings’ mindset that sparked breakout game vs. Heat

“Just staying aggressive,” Flemings said after the game. “We got a lot of rebounds and were pushing transition. That’s when we’re our best. Trying to get rebounds, push and playing within the flow of the offense.”

Through the first four games of the season, Flemings looked like your typical rookie trying to figure out the game as it goes. The IQ was always there, and he’s been making the right plays, but this felt like the first time this season where he had the mindset to score. He finished the game with 23 points, shooting 9-for-12 from the field and 3-for-5 from the 3-point line.

“I think [the game] is definitely slowing down for me. For me, it’s just being aggressive,” Flemings said. “I see a lot of the plays; nothing really changed. When the defense knows I’m gonna pass, the passes aren’t going to be there. Coach is talking to me about that. Everyone’s talking about that. 

“So, putting the ball in the rim, I’m going to continue to do that. Just put the ball up, make some shots, and when you play like that, it makes the defense second-guess.”

Head coach Quin Snyder elected to play Flemings for most of the third and all of the fourth, which led to CJ McCollum, the Hawks’ usual closer, sitting on the bench.

“We talked about it as the coaching staff. CJ knows how we feel about him, Snyder said. “He’s crucial to us being who we want to be. Kingston had been in the game long enough, and it felt like throwing CJ into a tough situation, putting him cold at that point. CJ is all about the team and the team winning, and that’s an aberration.”

And it doesn’t look like there are any hard feelings about the situation. In fact, McCollum seems to be one of the first people willing to help Flemings.

“[CJ] and Nickeil, I work out with them almost every single day, taking bits and pieces,” Flemings said. “For CJ to be playing this long at this level, it’s not easy to do. You don’t see a lot of players doing it. He’s in my ear all the time. Every timeout when he’s on the bench, just telling me what he sees on offense, defense, helping me in those ways. It’s invaluable having players like him on the team, and I’m grateful for it.”

That type of support can help Flemings play freely, and that’s what he was able to do tonight, plus more, for the Hawks.

“It feels great having coaches back me the whole time, coaches telling me to be aggressive. Everyone on the team told me to be aggressive. It feels good having that confidence behind me so I can just go out and do what I do. And the players too, giving me the ball, telling me to push, telling me to continue doing what I’m doing, it means a lot,” Flemings said.