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The Hype Around Justin Anderson is Real

ByIsaac Harris|

Dallas Mavericks’ first round pick Justin Anderson is gaining well deserved hype throughout the city of Dallas and around the country.

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    • I was sitting down outside of American Airlines Center with my wife yesterday waiting for the annual Mavs Fan Jam to finally get underway when fans started to line up to be some of the first people to watch the open practice. As I sat and listened (not in a creepy way) to fans engaging in conversation, there was one player who was constantly being brought up from little kids in elementary to grown men carrying their autograph memorabilia.

    It wasn’t Dirk Nowitzki or Chandler Parsons. It wasn’t even newcomers Wesley Matthews or Deron Williams.

    It was Justin “Simba” Anderson.

    It was at this point I turned to my wife and said “The hype behind Justin Anderson is getting real, this is awesome.”

    This past summer, with the 21st pick in the first round, the Dallas Mavericks selected Virginia wingman Justin Anderson. With much rumors surrounding the Mavs on if they would trade their first round pick (again) or move down in the draft, they stood pat and drafted their guy.

    Sep 28, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks rookie guard Justin Anderson (1) poses for a photo during Media Day at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

    Coming out of Virginia, Anderson led the team as a junior as they battled through the ACC and found themselves near the top of the rankings through a large portion of his collegiate career. With his impressive athleticism, NBA ready body, and 45% three-point percentage, Anderson found himself a coveted commodity as the next “3-D” guy in the NBA.

    The Dallas Mavericks history of drafting in the first round is murky at best. With the team usually trading their late first round pick for extra cap space for the summer, the Mavs usually find themselves with second rounders competing for roster spots. When they have drafted or traded down a few spots, players such as Jared Cunningham and Dominique Jones come to mind.

    So in the lives of many Mavs fans, it has been quite sometime since the city of Dallas has been throughly excited for a promising first round talent to take the court for the Mavericks.

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    Take the court Anderson shall, and in a big role it seems. Anderson should step in right away and be one of the first guys off the bench behind Parsons this season. His young legs and athletic body will allow him to go head-to-head on the defensive end with some of the best in the game.

    Also, as seen in the open practice yesterday, Anderson’s sweet left-handed stroke from the outside is already in mid-season form.

    Besides his impressive play, it is Anderson’s maturity that has stolen the spotlight for me. From the very beginning of Media Day, Anderson seemed to be a seasoned vet who realized his place on the team by constantly talking about learning the process and soaking in knowledge from the veterans.

    Ever since the Mavs drafted Anderson, he has been a frequent texan throughout the city of Dallas with him recently visiting the iconic state fair. This dude is literally a magnet to fans.

    I would be lying if I said the excitement around the city of Dallas for this kid wasn’t contagious. Mavs fans, and actually other sports sites, believe the Mavericks really got the steal of the draft in Justin Anderson.

    I’m ready to see Justin Anderson hit the floor this season.

    The Mavs fanbase is ready for Justin Anderson to hit the floor this season.

    The real question, is the rest of the NBA?

    Next: Mavs Early On Could Make or Break the Season

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