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Dallas Mavericks: Dennis Smith Jr. Makes All-Rookie 2nd Team

By Kohl Rast

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 8: Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 8, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 8: Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 8, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The NBA All-Rookie teams were released today and Dallas Mavericks point guard, Dennis Smith Jr. was selected for the All-Rookie 2nd team. This selection is fitting based on the incredible rookie class this year.

Dennis Smith Jr. has become a Dallas Mavericks fan-favorite in his first year here and for good reason. The uber-athletic point guard dropped all the way to the 9th spot in the NBA Draft and Dallas wasted no more time calling his name over the podium. It was a quick understanding that, despite Carlisle’s perceived dislike of rookies, DSJ would be the day one starter.

Today, weeks after the NBA season came to a close, Shams Charania of Yahoo! Sports announced the NBA’s first and second All-Rookie team and there is very little to dispute over it. Although all ten of these players did not necessarily dominate throughout the year, each one of them contributed more than essentially any other rookie in the 2017 class.

The first team was made up of the three nominees for Rookie of the Year (Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum, and Ben Simmons) along with Lauri Markkanen and Kyle Kuzma. Three of these five really shocked people with what they were able to do this season while Simmons was part of the 2016 rookie class and Tatum was selected third overall for a reason.

The 2nd team was made up of Dennis Smith Jr., Lonzo Ball, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Josh Jackson, and John Collins. Dennis Smith and Josh Jackson were definitely expected to be in the conversation here from the day they were drafted. Bogdanovic may not have been one of the premier players from the 2016 draft class but he has proven his worth.

The bigger surprises from team two were Lonzo Ball, who was drafted 2nd overall and expected to do better than he did, and John Collins, who was drafted 19th but quickly made his presence known on the Hawks. Ball had a great season but many believed him to accomplish more in his rookie year.

Dennis Smith Jr. had an excellent rookie season and the Mavs are looking forward to many more great years from the young point guard. He is learning more and more each day and will be an entertaining player for many years to come.

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