Mavericks can't keep Zaccharie Risacher off the floor despite his ugly offense

Through four games for the Dallas Mavericks, Zaccharie Risacher's offensive game has been ugly. He's shooting 30.8 percent from the field, 17.6 percent from three, and averaging a career-low 8.0 points per game.

The former No. 1 overall pick has struggled to knock down jump shots, even missing some bunnies around the rim, and he doesn't look fully comfortable on that end of the floor, outside of being a weapon in transition due to his speed and length. He oftentimes seems like he's in a rush, and his decisions within the flow of the offense look predetermined rather than taking what the defense gives him.

Zaccharie Risacher's defense is making him impossible to bench

However, Dusty May can't afford to keep him off the floor. He's been that good everywhere else.

Risacher is averaging a career-high 30.0 minutes per game despite coming off the bench in three of the four games he's played in, and his defense has gone from inconsistent to his calling card. The former No. 1 overall pick is averaging 2.0 steals and 2.0 blocks per game after never averaging above 0.9 steals or blocks per game through his first two seasons, and he has clearly taken serious strides on that end of the floor.

He remains engaged defensively, regardless of how his offensive game looks, and this was evident on Monday night against the Miami Heat. Risacher shot an abysmal 2-for-13 from the field in this game, but he played 30 minutes and played a key role in Dallas securing a 113-109 win over the Miami Heat.

Risacher has made some massive plays defensively

He closed this game alongside Kyrie Irving, Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington, and Morez Johnson Jr., and it wouldn't be a shock if he continues to be on the court during clutch time if he keeps playing this well. His block on Davion Mitchell's drive with less than 10 seconds remaining helped the Mavs get the win, and this play was a perfect display of the versatility he can bring.

While he may not be the best point-of-attack defender on the team, he can hold his own in these situations and provide resistance on opponents' drives. His care factor is extremely high, and his stats from the Miami game have helped him land in impressive company.

Risacher finished with three blocks, one steal, and six defensive rebounds, and he is now tied for second in the league with Flagg for "stocks" with 16 (steals and blocks combined), trailing only Victor Wembanyama.

He already has as many three-block games for Dallas in four games as he did over two seasons with the Hawks, and his impact as a help-side rim protector has been outstanding. His length, fearlessness, and athleticism help him rise up with anyone, and one of his most impressive blocks of the season was on Wembanyama over the weekend.

The Mavericks are much better with Risacher on the floor

Risacher's hustle, energy, defense, and effort on the glass on both ends of the floor have been huge reasons that he's been so effective for the Mavericks, and his on/off numbers show why May can't keep him off the floor. Dallas is 24.6 points per 100 possessions better with Risacher on the floor compared to off, and while this is a small sample size, the eye test tells the same story.

Risacher hasn't been as promising as many Mavs fans would've hoped on offense, but his defense is more than making up for it. He has been one of the most impactful defenders on the team through the first week of the regular season, and he'll become even more dangerous as his offensive game improves.

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