The Smoking Cuban
FanSided

2017-2018 Regular Season Player Review: Guards

By Lance Roberson

December 8, 2009: The Dallas Mavericks logo on the middle of the court before an NBA game between the Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX Dallas defeated Phoenix 102-101 (Photo by Albert Pena/Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images)
December 8, 2009: The Dallas Mavericks logo on the middle of the court before an NBA game between the Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX Dallas defeated Phoenix 102-101 (Photo by Albert Pena/Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 1: J.J. Barea #5 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the LA Clippers on November 1, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 1: J.J. Barea #5 of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the LA Clippers on November 1, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /

J.J. Barea

It’s easy to get lost in the never-ending coverage of the NBA. Players and personalities alike allow us to escape reality. Social tension is at its boiling point. Society seeks escapism as a result of the pressure. Unfortunately for Puerto Rico, life didn’t pause nor was entertainment the saving grace of Hurricane Maria’s wrath. J.J. Barea took action when his people of Puerto Rico needed it. Barea’s generosity transcended basketball to the highest degree and Dallas couldn’t be prouder.

No matter the level of Barea’s on-court success, nothing would outclass his humanitarian effort.  Barea was able to put forth a valiant effort on the court as well. Standards are lowered, understandably so, in a rebuilding phase. Still, championship-tested Barea managed to carry the offense when Smith Jr struggled. Barea posted a career-high in assists. To dig deeper, per cleaningtheglass.com , his assist to usage ratio ranked in the 95th percentile.

http://nba.cdn.turner.com/nba/big/nba/wsc/2017/12/02/a6ac3e06-9284-4276-6e46-a198d710d98a.nba_1594447_1920x1080_5904.mp4

Aging gracefully

Barea was the steady hand on offense. Whether it be from creating offense through others or finishing on his own accord, Barea got the job done.  Barea is expected to wear down at his age. Contrary to tradition, Barea’s game is not cracking under league’s expectations just yet. The pre-2011 championship Barea wasn’t known for shooting threes; Barea attempted a career-high 4.5 three-point field goal attempts this past season. Rising three-point point attempts is a byproduct of the new era in the NBA. Barea’s willingness to smoothly transition into a system emphasizing perimeter shooting will undoubtedly extend his career moving forward.

  • 11.6 points per game
  • .540 true-shooting percentage
  • 6.3 assists per game

Final Grade: B+

For the past two seasons, Barea played less than 70 games, mainly due to various injuries. A positive impact felt by the Mavericks roster despite the games missed. Barea’s role of calming the ship when DSJ couldn’t weather the waves is commendable. Barea isn’t the point guard of the Mavericks future. However, he is the perfect player to position Dennis Smith Jr. for such a grand role.

Next: Dennis Smith Jr.

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