Dallas Mavericks center Boban Marjanovic can change any game with his sheer size and rebounding ability. Let us take a look at his recent impacts.
The Dallas Mavericks signed Boban Marjanovic to a two-year deal worth $7 million in the offseason. The 31-year-old has bounced around a bit in recent seasons, but he is a larger than life personality. Marjanovic makes a positive locker room impact even if he never plays a second on the court.
Mavs.com recently published a fantastic piece on Boban’s work ethic, and how he is a favorite among his teammates. It is a must-read for all Mavericks supporters.
Boban Marjanovic gives the Dallas Mavericks a boost on the court too. He has only played in 21 of the team’s 41 games this season, but he can instantly change things up by checking in. Here is a look at how Bobi makes a massive impact.
Impossible to box out
Marjanovic is 7’4 making him the second tallest player in the NBA behind Celtics center Tacko Fall. The Mavs big weighs 290 pounds creating a force on the inside. He is literally impossible to box out. Take a look at Bobi grabbing an offensive rebound and scoring against the Warriors on Jan. 14.
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Marjanovic is averaging 4.5 rebounds in 10.0 minutes per game on the season. That works out to 16.4 rebounds per-36 minutes which ranks fifth in NBA among players that have played in at least ten games.
He is a problem for any big man that wants to play in the paint. Bobi cannot be pushed around and creates issues on both ends of the floor.
No struggle shooting over you
Marjanovic also uses his height to score inside. He has no problem finishing over centers. He took Willie Cauley-Stein to the cleaners on Tuesday night by constantly shooting over him. Fans can see it here.
Boban can dunk without jumping. That ability makes him difficult to stop down low. He is shooting 54.5 percent from the field this season, and that number climbs to 83.3 percent from zero to three feet. Marjanovic is impossible to slow down when he gets the ball in close.
More minutes?
Boban Marjanovic can impact every game, but he still does not play every night. The 7’4 center is a matchups option. The opposition needs to be playing another physical center that wants to operate down low because Bobi struggles mightily defending on the perimeter.
The other team can also take him out of the game by subbing to a small-ball lineup. That is why Marjanovic can be limited to just a few minutes in certain matchups.
Teams that stick with a bruiser in the paint can be dominated by Boban. The Mavs center has produced three double-doubles and scores in double-figures in nearly every game he plays for more than ten minutes.
Coach Carlisle has a unique option in Boban Marjanovic. He alters the action every time he takes the court. Carlisle has done a fantastic job using Bobi in spurts and maximizing his production. Expect Dallas to sub him in any time they need a presence in the paint during the second half of the season.