I hope you had your morning coffee and breakfast ready for todays matchup between our Dallas Mavericks and the Philadelphia 76ers in Shanghai, China. It was an early morning tip-off for us, but primetime for our boys. The Mavericks were without the services of Dirk Nowitzki (recovering from ankle surgery) and DeAndre Jordan (personal reasons). They ultimately fell to the Sixers 120-114 but there were a few things to take away from the outcome:
Improved Outside Game For Dennis Smith Jr.
It was game number 2 for Mavericks rookie Luka Doncic, but it was Dennis Smith Jr. that stole the show from the Wonderboy. We’ve all become accustomed to his flare for the highlight reel plays, but if he could improve on one thing specifically from last season, it was his shooting stroke, and if the first half was any indication, he’s done just that.
👀 @Dennis1SmithJr with a smooth 15 PTS and 3👌's in the 1st quarter! pic.twitter.com/tcXA14LLdA
— NBA TV (@NBATV) October 5, 2018
Smith finished with 20 points on 8 of 16 shooting, including three from outside the arc. He looks comfortable and confident pulling up for the jumper, and if he can continue to keep the defender honest, it will only open up more opportunities to attack the rim.
The 2nd Coming of Dirk Nowitzki
Okay, okay. Dramatic much? Obviously I’m jumping the gun a bit, but I really like Maxi Kleber’s game. He showed last season that he had the ability to bang down low, while stretching the floor with his outside shot. Today was no different. Kleber finished with 17 points and 7 rebounds. He looks like he has hit the gym this summer and really put on some size. With Nowitzki obviously getting less minutes as he comes down the stretch of his Hall of Fame career, Maxi could slide in and get some valuable minutes, and I’m confident in all of them.
The Young Guns Will Be Fun To Watch
The addition of Dennis Smith Jr last season began the turnaround of futility that has hovered over the Mavericks over the last few seasons, and now we have brought in Luka Doncic and DeAndre Jordan. Luka showed his incredible vision a few times throughout the game, had a few behind the back passes, a half court bucket after the whistle and this little beauty to Dwight Powell.
.@Luka7doncic let @DwightPowell33 know he was cleared for take off 🛫 pic.twitter.com/ZbEDmdyeyo
— NBA TV (@NBATV) October 5, 2018
Sprinkle in some DeAndre Jordan and this team will be a sight to behold all season. You won’t want to miss a minute of these Young Guns.
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