Dallas Mavericks: Regular Season Awards
By Cole Mentzel
Rookie of the Year: Justin Anderson
2015-16 stats:
- PPG: 3.8
- RPG: 2.4
- APG: 0.5
- MIN: 11.8
Justin Anderson’s averages do not accurately represent what he has done for the Mavs this season.
His first real run of the year did not come until February, when he played in every game except for one. However, Anderson’s unique game was put on display starting near the end of March, when head coach Rick Carlisle finally started giving him consistent, meaningful minutes.
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Anderson started in nine games this season as a rookie and was impressive in just about every one. His athleticism was something helpful for the Mavs as they lost Monta Ellis in free agency last summer, but his ability to block shots and create steals provided a different skill that the team had not always been accustomed to.
Much like Salah Mejri, the other rookie on the team, Anderson’s best games came while fighting for a playoff spot in the final weeks of the season.
It looks as if Anderson could become one of the few draft day wins for the team over the past 16 years, and as long as they don’t trade him for a shinier object on the market, his game will flourish in Big D.
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Best Game: Anderson’s double-double, consisting of 19 points and 10 rebounds, helped the Mavs pick up their sixth-straight win on Apr. 8.