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The Dallas Mavericks had an entertaining back-and-forth with the visiting Chicago Bulls Friday night, but once again went home with a loss. They fell in a high-scoring affair, 127-124, after giving up a whopping 47 points in the final frame. Kris Dunn erupted for a career night, prompting Mavs coach Rick Carlisle to single out Dennis Smith Jr. since, after all, he's got the assignment.
Aside from a horrid fourth-quarter defense, Carlisle knows exactly what happened. He shared it in his post-game interview, according to Tim McMahon of ESPN:
What went right for Kris Dunn during his career-high 32-point night vs. Mavs? "The answer is: Anything he wanted," Rick Carlisle said. "Look, they're picking on Dennis [Smith Jr.]. They're going at him. … But it's certainly not all on Dennis, that's for sure. We all own it."
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) January 6, 2018
Dennis Smith Jr. was pretty serviceable against the surprisingly-rampaging Bulls (15 points, seven assists, and three steals), but opposing guards seem to be picking on him without mercy. Prior to getting lit up by Kris Dunn, the rookie point guard has already been on the receiving end of big performances in the past week courtesy of the flag bearers at the point guard position.
Against the Oklahoma City Thunder last December 31st, Russell Westbrook was able to hung a monster triple-double, while this past Wednesday, Stephen Curry, who was coming off an ankle injury, easily tallied 32 points and six 3-pointers.
With Smith Jr. still being a raw defender, we can expect more veteran guards to be eager in exposing the Mavs rookie's inexperience moving forward. The 20-year-old plays a very unforgiving position, so much so that even his freakish athleticism won't be able to save him on most nights.
Two things also contribute in the Mavs guard's defensive struggles: 1) his energy gets usually sapped on offense, since he's expected to create shots for himself and opportunities for his teammates, and 2) his teammates simply aren't good defenders as well. The Mavs are 10th in points allowed because they play in a slow pace, but their inability to ultimately stop an offense shows in their 18th-ranked defensive rating.
Carlisle won't lose any ounce off his overflowing belief for the rookie point guard, though. All part of the process.
