Grade The Mavericks: Shane Larkin

Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The season is over and all we can do is either look back or look ahead. We’re going to take some time to look back and grade the Dallas Mavericks.

Up next is the Mavs first round pick.

Shane Larkin: 2.8 points, 38.0% fg, 1.5 assists, .5 steals

Ace Feltman (@MFFeLtman): B+ Well this was a nice surprise. I didn’t expect many of 2013’s NBA Draft products to be very good in 2013-2014…or for some, ever. I thought Shane Larkin could be a solid pro, but in the grand scheme of things I thought he would be a trade asset – and I still do. But on the court this year I was really, really encouraged and excited by his energy and hustle that you expect from a 5’11” 180 post-lottery pick trying to earn some playing time. He was especially helpful when Devin Harris was unavailable for the season’s first couple months, Still though, his jumper has to improve if he can be the next J.J. Barea, which he has written all over him.

Brian Gosset (@Gosset41): B Coming off injury, he had some good moments in his rookie season. Not a whole lot of playing time, being the 3rd-string point, but he had flashes of what’s to come. I love the guy’s speed and that will help in times when Calderon needs a breather. Carlisle sometimes implemented the 3-guard lineup with Larkin, Harris and Ellis and at times it worked because they’re all fast.

Bailey Rogers (@BRogers789): A-  I will not pretend to hide my irrational love for Larkin. I’m firmly of the opinion that the team would’ve been better if Carlisle would have sat Monta’s ass on the bench whenever he stopped giving a crap, and let Suga Shane go to town. This pint-sized point guard didn’t get to play all that much this year, but often when he did, he made an impression on his audience and his teammates. I really think Shane has potential, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he completely took over the role Harris played this season going forward. The only question in my mind is whether he’ll be given the chance to do so.

Jose De Leon (@JoseOfLion06): B Shane’s grade is solely based on what I expect from him in the years to come not what he did this season. I think he can be a very good change-of-pace backup for this team. His speed is second to none but needs to learn when to go 88 MPH and when to drive in a school zone.