Dennis Smith Jr. Compares Game to Derrick Rose

When asked who his game compares to, Dennis Smith Jr. likens his game to a Derrick Rose type.

With the 9th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks had their dreams come true as they selected Dennis Smith Jr. out of N.C. State.

Thinking they would never have a chance at selecting Smith Jr. on Thursday night, Dallas’ brass acknowledged the excited in the front office by describing their reaction as “thunderous” in regards to Smith Jr. being on the board for them.

In what looks to be a move that lands their starting point guard of the future, Rick Carlisle talked about a FaceTime conversation with Smith Jr. before the draft where they told Smith Jr. their desire to draft him if available.

When Carlisle asked Smith Jr. over FaceTime what player he resembles the most, Smith Jr. gave an answer that not all players would give.

“I asked him the question of who he thinks his game is like. He said he thought he was a bit like Derrick Rose,” Carlisle told the media after the selection was made.

For some, the mention of comparing to a Derrick Rose is laughable at the current moment, but we must remember how electric and GOOD pre-injury Derrick Rose was.

Now take a look at some Dennis Smith Jr. highlights from his freshman season at N.C. State.

Rose was an All-Star from 2009-11 where he averaged over 20 points a game in each of those three seasons. It was in the 2010-11 season that Rose won the Most Valuable Player Award as a member of the Chicago Bulls.

As for how their games are similar, Carlisle talked about the overall game of Rose and Smith Jr.

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“He is a stronger point guard that can slash and create. He can shoot the ball and make plays. That’s not bad. That’s a former MVP,” Carlisle says about the comparison to Derrick Rose.

Although both Rose and Smith Jr. are the same height, Rose has around six inches on Smith Jr. in regards to a longer wingspan. Either way, the Rose comparison by Smith Jr. is one I actually like from many aspects.

The crazy thing about Derrick Rose was also his instant success in the league.

Rose’s second year in the league he was averaging over 20 points and six assists a game while appearing in his first All-Star Game. If Smith Jr. can pull that off in Dallas within his first two years, then the sky is the limit for his career.

Next: Dallas Got Their Guy in Dennis Smith Jr.

Some prospects shoot for the moon with unrealistic comparisons when asked, but for Smith Jr., a young Derrick Rose seems like a solid comparison coming into the league.