The Smoking Cuban
FanSided

Phil Jackson Had Dennis Smith Jr. Eat Octopus

By Isaac Harris

TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 11: Dennis Smith Jr. of the Dallas Mavericks talks to the media behind the scenes during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG training center on August 11, 2017 in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michelle Farsi/Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 11: Dennis Smith Jr. of the Dallas Mavericks talks to the media behind the scenes during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG training center on August 11, 2017 in Tarrytown, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michelle Farsi/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Dennis Smith Jr. details to the Daily News about his pre-draft meeting with Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks.

Prior to the 2017 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks were connected to a plethora of players as they sat at the ninth spot in the draft.

After working out players like Malik Monk and Donovan Mitchell, while also traveling to scout players like Frank Ntilikina and Dennis Smith Jr., Dallas knew they would have a player drop to them at nine that could be a cornerstone piece moving forward.

They obviously ended up drafting Dennis Smith Jr. out of N.C. State, but Smith Jr. had his share of pre-draft visits with other teams also.

One of them being Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks.

"“We went out to some restaurant and they had me eat some octopus, like an actual octopus tentacle,” Smith Jr. told the Daily News. “First time ever. I wasn’t going to try it, honestly. They kind of put the pressure on me to do it,” Smith Jr. told Stefan Bondy of the Daily News."

What? An octopus?

We all know that Phil Jackson can be odd at times, but basically forcing a potential draft pick to eat octopus is something new for sure.

Smith Jr. went on throughout the piece to talk with Bondy about his impressive Summer League play and the potential dunk that shook up the Twitter world.

More from The Smoking Cuban

Towards the end of the publication, Smith Jr. admits that being drafted by New York was definitely a possibility.

"“I definitely thought it was possible,” Smith Jr. told The News. “I flew in there, I had a great meeting with them. Then the draft came and things just changed. But I’m thankful for everything that did happen,” Smith Jr. told Bondy."

Dennis, the fanbase is just as thankful that everything played out the way it did also. Plus, the fact that the Mavericks’ war room erupted in a “thunderous” applause when Smith Jr. was available to be drafted proves the organization is more thankful than anyone.

You can read the Daily News’ full interview with Smith Jr. here.

Next: Building NBA2K18's All-Time Dallas Mavericks

The Frank Ntilikina and Dennis Smith Jr. connection will always be a comparison, but for now, Dallas seems to have found the next cornerstone of the franchise.

Home/Mavs News