Dallas Mavericks: What does Ryan Broekhoff need to do?

The Dallas Mavericks are having some success with their current rotation, but the sharpshooting rookie from Australia hasn’t fought his way into it just yet.

Despite being viewed as one of the best shooters outside of the NBA prior to this season, Ryan Broekhoff has not yet shown his abilities for the Dallas Mavericks. Is that from lack of readiness or lack of opportunity? It is hard to say for sure, but I believe both could be true.

Broekhoff came to the NBA from the Russian VTB United League. Before that he played in a Turkish league and before that he played for Valparaiso University in Indiana from 2009-13. He was an All-American during his 2012 season when he averaged 14.9 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. He was named the Horizon Conference Player of the Year.

After going undrafted in 2013, Broekhoff spent the next five seasons overseas. He really began to hone his craft in his final season when he shot over 50% from three and averaged over 12 points per game. Multiple NBA teams took notice of the sharpshooting Aussie, but the Mavs were the ones who signed him.

Now, five games into the season, Broekhoff is averaging less than 4 minutes per game and has only hit two shots total. If Broekhoff is going to have any sort of impact on the Mavs this year, it has to start by getting on the court. It’s time for the sharpshooter to step up and show Carlisle that he is ready for an increased role.

With Devin Harris and Dennis Smith Jr. both out right now, it would be the perfect opportunity for Broekhoff to step up and help out on the offensive end. The Mavericks have shown that they need it, especially from long range. I would love to see that improvement this year from the rookie.

Let’s start by talking about how he has gotten a lack of opportunity. Through five games, Broekhoff has played a total of 15 minutes. He has fired up 8 shots, all threes and he has made 2 of them. He has also grabbed 2 rebounds and committed 1 foul. There has been very little chance for the Aussie to get on the court, let alone get an open shot off.

Despite Dallas starting the season without Harrison Barnes and Dirk Nowitzki and then losing Dennis and Devin, Broekhoff never saw an added opportunity. This is interesting considering the need, but it is also not surprising when you think about Coach Carlisle’s history with rookies.

Next, we have to talk about whether or not Broekhoff was ready for this league. Although Broekhoff had some professional experience in Turkey and Russia, the NBA is a very different animal to tackle. I don’t know that Broekhoff had a full understanding of what kind of commitment it would take to compete at the highest level in the world.

For him to gain that experience now that it is time, Broekhoff will have to start taking things seriously in the gym. I am not suggesting that he hasn’t been working hard this summer, but maybe it is time to step it up a little bit more going forward and be ready to hit pay-dirt the minute he gets a chance.

The necessities of opportunity and readiness are both very important to an NBA player, but it is necessary for us to realize that they also go hand-in-hand. In the case of Ryan Broekhoff, his hard work in the gym and his willingness to do what Coach asks of him will help him be ready to capitalize on the moments he is utilized.

The youngster from Australia was picked up by the Mavs, not just to be ready for an opportune time, but to be a contributing player for the team. That isn’t happening yet, but it could soon. Just wait.