2017-2018 Regular Season Player Review: Guards

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SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 27: Yogi Ferrell #11 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 27, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The word “rebuild” hasn’t been in the Dallas Mavericks vocabulary for quite some time. 2017-2018 marked the first season of the Mavericks front office finally accepting their team’s place in the current landscape of the NBA. Playoff contention wasn’t a realistic goal for the Dallas Mavericks. With that said, there were positive player results in an otherwise down season for Dallas.

Player grading criteria: the player must have played in at least 25 games with the Mavericks and still on the roster at season’s end.

Yogi Ferrell

Yogi Ferrell’s 2016-2017 campaign was a dream-case scenario for an undrafted rookie. A season after achieving All-Rookie 2nd team honors, Ferrell looks to be more than just a flash in the pan. Rick Carlisle is the Dr. Robotnik of the NBA; he puts things together (lineups) that otherwise would be deemed as unacceptable, or rather, impossible for other coaches to execute.

Different role same results

Ferrell has the body of a point guard with an attacking-mindstate of a shooting guard. Yogi’s combo guard DNA bodes well with the three point guard lineups Carlisle rolled out this past season. Per basketball-reference, Ferrell played 63 percent of his minutes at 2-guard.

More impressively, 15 percent at small forward. Ferrell’s shot-making ability is another tool which kept him in Carlisle’s good graces. Out of the six Mavericks players who attempted 300+ three-point shots, Ferrell finished with the third highest percentage.

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By no means is Ferrell an all-defense caliber guard, although, his pesty nature does help make up for the size he gives up on the court. Per cleaning the glass, Ferrell finished in the 80 percentile (+1.3) of players whose opponents’ possessions ended with a turnover. Not too shabby for a “6’0” point guard.

Ferrell’s 2017-2018 individual stats are near identical to last season, except for the 82 games played compared to the 46 he appeared in last year. When you consider the injuries the Mavericks backcourt dealt with this season, thankfully for Carlisle, Ferrell was able to go all 82 games. Dependability is as important a variable as luck is in sports.

10.2 points per game
.540 true-shooting percentage
.373 three-point percentage

Final Grade: B-

Ferrel’s role was diminished, consequentially, with the addition of rookie point guard Dennis Smith Jr. Ironically, the role change was beneficial to the second-year guard’s shoot-first playstyle. According to NBA.com, Ferrell’s catch-and-shoot numbers increased from 24 percent frequency to 33. Ferrell’s durability, instant scoring off the bench, and hustle-and-bustle approach to defense were vital in maintaining a positive effect on the team.

Next: J.J. Barea

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