Dallas Mavericks: Could Dennis Smith Jr. Make the All-Star Team?

By Kohl Rast

Aug 24, 2017

TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 11: Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks poses for a portrait 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 Brian Babineau/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 13: Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket during the 2017 NBA Las Vegas Summer League game against the Sacramento Kings on July 13, 2017 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Scoring Ability

Junior can score the ball in so many different ways that it does not seem very farfetched to believe he could average 18+ points per game. In fact, with the teammates around him, DSJ could easily get into the 20 points per game range. That is just how good this young guy really is.

Back to the point of his versatility, Junior can score the ball with a vicious dunk, finesse his way into the lane and finish with a crafty layup, shoot the three, pull up from mid-range, and, perhaps most importantly, create his own shot off the dribble. This may sound like something that NBA players should just be able to do but it is really a unique skill. Now he just needs to do it at a high percentage.

There is not much more to say about his scoring ability until we can see it in live action, but he has abilities that most people only dream of. The other players drafted ahead of him and behind him certainly can score the ball as well, but there may not be a more versatile scorer from this class.