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Dallas Mavericks: Don’t Let Dennis Smith’s Demeanor Fool You

By Kohl Rast

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 6: Dennis Smith Jr., #1 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 6, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 6: Dennis Smith Jr., #1 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 6, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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One of the few knocks that I have heard against Dennis Smith Jr. throughout his first year with the Dallas Mavericks is that he “doesn’t look into the game”. This is one of those times where you really shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, because DSJ is no slouch.

The Dallas Mavericks lucked out last summer. When the Mavs were set to make their draft selection at ninth overall, many believed that they would be taking the French prospect, Frank Ntilikina. Even more than that, no one honestly believed that Dennis Smith Jr. would still be available by that time. Those people were all wrong.

Despite some ups and downs throughout the year, DSJ showed a lot of promise as was expected from him right off the bat. As possibly the most athletic player ever drafted by the Mavs (sorry, Dirk), questions of Dennis Smith’s actual basketball skills vs. just pure athleticism started to surface. He quelled those concerns over the season.

Now, Dennis Smith is due for a breakout season and a chance to be something great for years to come. The main concern for DSJ is no longer whether he can do it anymore, but whether or not he will. There have been players in the past who have been very athletically gifted but failed in the NBA. The reason for that was laziness.

For those who believe that Dennis Smith Jr. may be lazy, let me make this clear: you can’t let his demeanor fool you. Dennis is calm and collected on the court and looks like he is a bit too laid back to be pushing hard each play, but the kid works his tail off every chance he gets. If anything, DSJ’s demeanor should excite fans more than worry them.

Let’s see some of the stuff he has been working on.

Dennis Smith Jr. continues to put countless hours of work in at the gym, improving his game more and more each day. I truly believe he has a chance at the Most Improved Player award at the end of this season and think that people are going to really understand that he was a very overlooked player in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Next. Dirk is the NBA's funniest player

Be ready for a great season from the 2nd year guard out of N.C. State. He is ready to prove the doubters wrong.

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