Dallas Mavericks center DeAndre Jordan was glad to have point guard Dennis Smith Jr. back in the starting lineup in a win over the L.A. Clippers, even making a reference to his 2015 botched free agency promise to boot.
“I’m glad he’s back,” said Jordan, who had 13 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks against the Clippers, according to Dwain Price of Mavs.com. “I’m glad he’s not sitting any more.
“He’s fast and athletic and can push the pace and the tempo for us, which is what we need. It’s great to have him back.”
Jordan then put his Nostradamus hat on and gave reporters a giggle, noting that if he had taken the offer to come to the Mavericks in 2015, the franchise would not have drafted Smith or Luka Doncic — taking the credit for the way history played out.
“See when I got the pitch (in 2015) I had a plan,” said Jordan chuckling, according to Brice Paterik of Mavs Moneyball. “If I came here we wouldn’t have got Dennis and Luka. So you’re welcome.”
Laughs aside, Jordan attributed to Smith's effect on the floor, which gives the Mavs a whole different layer of scoring power, using his youth and athleticism to challenge opposing defenses.
“He’s probably one of the fastest guards in the league,” Jordan said. “Nobody can keep up with him, let alone stay in front when he has his mind to it. We’re lucky to have him.”
Dennis Smith shot only 6-of-17 in his return from a six-game absence, but scored 17 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out four assists, contributing in grand ways to snap a four-game losing skid.
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