Dallas Mavericks: 5 goals for Dennis Smith Jr.’s rookie season
2. Finish the season at .500 or better
Last season the Dallas Mavericks finished 33-49, the first time the organization has finished below .500 since 2000 and only the second time they have missed the postseason over that span. Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks making the playoffs has been dependable enough to set your watch by.
In the twilight of Nowitzki’s career, other players will need to step up in order to propel the Mavericks to a winning record. Harrison Barnes was the leading scorer last season, Nerlens Noel was the big trade acquisition, and Wesley Matthews remains the veteran swingman. Dennis Smith Jr. now has the opportunity to contribute as the talented point guard.
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It’s always a difficult proposition for a rookie to contribute to winning basketball, and every year future stars struggle to make an impact in their first NBA seasons. But other times rookies are able to step in and make an impact from day one, as evidenced in the Philadelphia 76ers’ best player last season being a rookie in Joel Embiid, or Malcolm Brogdon winning Rookie of the Year by contributing to a playoff team as the starting point guard.
That will be the goal for Smith — not only to provide the Mavericks with scoring and highlight plays, but to contribute in winning ways to help this franchise get back on track. Whether Nowitzki plays just one more season or hangs on even longer, the organization wants to win as many games as they can. Smith can help them do that.