2017-2018 Regular Season Player Review: Guards

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DALLAS, TX – DECEMBER 4: Rick Carlisle coaches Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks during the game against the Denver Nuggets on December 4, 2017 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Dennis Smith Jr.

Summer 2017 was one to remember for the Dallas Mavericks. For the first time in the Dirk Nowitzki era, draft day was gaining Mavs fans attention and care. Point guards dominated the NBA lottery, conveniently so, since Dallas was in need of a young guard with star potential. When you consider the Mavericks past summer misfortunes, Dennis Smith Jr. falling to the Mavericks felt like a makeup call from the NBA Gods. Summer’s heat wasn’t cruel like hell, but more so scorching with success.

The tides have turned.

Rick Carlisle’s coveted good graces were bestowed on Smith Jr. not too long after being drafted.

"“I’ll manage expectations,” Carlisle said. “I understand the level of excitement. People should be excited. This kid is going to show some really amazing things that we haven’t seen at the point guard position ever with this franchise. That said, this is a learning process. He’ll need to learn quickly. And the best way for him to learn quickly is to be thrown out there and be put in position to have to do it.”"

As electric as Dennis Smith’s play is, unfortunately, his efficiency didn’t match the flare. DSJ led an openly tanking team in usage rating. Carlisle was truthful when saying he would throw his rookie guard in the deep end to learn how to swim. The 2017-2018 season wasn’t as grim a season for DSJ as his stat line suggests. DSJ’s play wasn’t rookie of the year standards, although, his flashy play demanded respect from the rest of the league.

Rise of the rookie

Smith Jr. had moments of greatness in his rocky rookie season. Moments such as his fourth-quarter explosion vs the Oklahoma City Thunder. DSJ lit up the Thunder for 12 points in the last four minutes of a road game in a winning effort. Rookie clutch performances are meant to marvel over. Nights of inefficient shooting are expected from a rookie; coming through for your teammates in the waning minutes of a road game isn’t.

Perhaps, Smith’s clutch play led him to All-Rookie second team honors

http://nba.cdn.turner.com/nba/big/nba/wsc/2018/01/01/835e9f16-ce39-7942-a8f2-fa2c72303e6a.nba_1783766_1920x1080_5904.mp4

15.2 points per game
5.2 assists per game
29.7 minutes per game

Final Grade: C+

Numbers don’t make the player, but unfortunately, they make the grade. In a sport full of statistical scrutiny, there are moments which don’t show up on the scoreboard. Dennis Smith Jr suffered from being given the keys too early, ironically, he also learned from the growing pains. It was evident in late-game success during the grueling season. Despite the flashy plays and late-game heroics, consistency is key. The next step in improving Dennis Smith Jr’s game is to be a reliable source in the full 48 minutes.

The sky is the limit for DSJ.

Next: NBA Draft Roundtable: Who is the Best Fit for the Mavs?

all stats appear courtesy of NBA.com , cleaningtheglass.com, and basketball-reference.com.

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