Dennis Smith Jr. had a fairly decent rookie season for the Dallas Mavericks, but this year will be vital for the development of the 20 year old
Dennis Smith Jr was the ninth overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2017 draft, and in 2018, the athletic point guard impressed in several categories. He averaged 15.5 points per game and 5.2 assists while shooting 39.5 percent from the field.
Shooting
Although he was named to the second all-rookie team, last season was a disappointment from a shooting standpoint for Smith. As I mentioned above, he shot under 40 percent from the field, while shooting a lackluster 31 percent from 3-point range. From the charity stripe, he shot just 69 percent, which is also not very good for a point guard.
We all know how athletically blessed he is, showing the ability to fly by defenders and throw down outrageous dunks with his head above the rim. But that’s just one part of his game that’s advanced. He needs to improve his shooting, particularly from long range.
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If he can add this component to his game, it’s going to make him one of the best young players in the NBA. He is already one of the quickest players in the league off the dribble and can get to the rim on a dime, which is probably the strongest part of his game. But if he can improve that shooting percentage from downtown, it’s not only going to allow him to average more points but will also make him a threat in so many different ways when he can pull up and drop a 3 or a long 2-pointer.
Obviously, 39.5 percent from the field isn’t great either, and he will have to improve on his short-range looks as well.
Comradery with Doncic
His quickness and talent to dribble the basketball are outstanding, showing on a daily basis that he can get to the rim any way possible. Smith’s dunking ability is one of the best in the game, evident by his appearance in the slam dunk competition last season.
With the addition of Luka Doncic in the backcourt for the Mavs, it’s going to be scary playing against this Dallas team. Doncic is more of a playmaker, while Smith is more of a scorer. He is going to create more opportunities for Smith at the rim thanks to his superior abilities to pass the ball, while also having the ability to score himself.
Both guys are the type of players who want the ball in their hands, but they will have to learn to play as one unit and share the rock. They are the future of this Dallas Mavericks team for many years to come, so they will have to be able to distribute the ball to one another and the rest of their team if they want to succeed in the near future.
Exciting future ahead
Having Doncic on his team is absolutely going to make Dennis Smith Jr a better player this year. If he can also improve his shooting this year, Smith Jr could be one of the best young players in the Association this upcoming season. The sky is the limit for the 20-year old