If you were to survey your average Dallas Mavericks fan before this year's NBA draft, they probably would not sound too excited about it. Although they had a first-round pick lined up, they had the ninth overall pick, a spot just low enough to miss out on the prime talents within the 2017 draft class.
Although the ninth pick was on the Maverick's plate, they were still ultimately satisfied as they ended up getting the player they wanted after all given their circumstances. The Mavs selected point guard Dennis Smith Jr. from NC State, and so far he has had an explosive start with the blue and silver, averaging 17.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists in the Summer League.
Although these numbers are rather impressive for the 19-year old, an NBA scout watching the Las Vegas Summer League this year had a few critiques on his perimeter shooting.
“The perimeter shooting is the obvious flaw here,” the NBA scout began. “He needs to be a better 3-point shooter. He had one decent game from the outside, but you can back off him defensively. He is not confident in his shot and that showed.”
Although Smith Jr. has no problem finishing at the rim with his breakneck speed and overall upper body physique, shooting beyond the three-point line is almost essential for point guards in today's NBA. Once he begins playing professionals who have been playing in the NBA longer than he has been playing basketball at any level himself, his lacking confidence to shoot beyond the arc will be exploited.
If the Mavericks want a reliable point guard to one day carry this team shooting-wise, they need Smith Jr. to step up his long range shooting in practice.
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