Feature Story: Dennis Smith Jr.

By Caroline McLeod

It is no secret that Dennis Smith Jr. is the Mavericks’ new secret weapon. With an average of 15 points per game in his rookie year, Smith quickly gained attention for his professional potential. Smith was well on his way to furthering his career when he suffered from an injury in a game against Brooklyn.

Dwain Price recounts this in a feature story arguing that Smith “was having his best game before the ankle injury.”

Smith has a career-high point total remaining at 27 points. In the game against Brooklyn, Smith had already attained 21 points in a span of 23 minutes. His field goal percentage was exceptionally high at 53 percent compared to his average in the previous game against Toronto at 40 percent. Smith was clearly bound to break his game point record.

Price also mentioned that Smith contributed five assists, two blocks, and was 2–5 behind the 3-point arc. He had two blocks matching his career-high in the game against the Nets. Smith sprained his ankle in the third quarter. He attempted to drive it to the rim, but got wrapped up with Spencer Dinwiddie.

Even his teammates agree. Forward Dirk Nowitzki said, “he had a ballgame going” and “unfortunately, injuries are a part of the game.” Smith made comments on his last game and his progression: “It just means I’m becoming an NBA player. They say that the biggest thing for me to learn is next play, or next game and next shot. That’s part of the learning process.”

I agree with Price that Smith was well on his way to achieving his best game of his professional career. With 21 points already obtained in 23 minutes, Smith most definitely would have surpassed his career-high of 27 points.

It is quite unfortunate for Smith to have such an opportunity ripped away from him by a sudden ankle injury. But the Mavericks community knows Smith will pick up right where he left off and more after his recovery.