Former NC State point guard Dennis Smith Jr.’s journey to the NBA has been a long and arduous one. From sitting on the bench in his sophomore year of high school, to tearing his ACL as a senior, to winning ACC Freshman of the Year, Smith has come a long way.
Smith’s NBA career is just getting started, beginning with an introductory press conference following his selection by the Dallas Mavericks with the ninth-overall pick.
“I was thankful whenever I heard my name called by them,” Smith said to Mavs.com. “I’m definitely motivated by [dropping to the ninth pick]. I just use it as fuel to the fire. I’ve been underrated my whole life, and that’s perfectly fine with me.”
Although Smith fell to the ninth spot to Dallas, it could be for the best as the prospect is likely to see playing time from day one.
“We’re getting a guy that is an instant impact guy,” Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle said to Mavs.com. “He has great quickness, he’s explosive, he can score and he can pass.”
Smith’s up-tempo play is desperately needed as the Dallas offense ranked 30th in scoring and 27th in assists during the 2016-17 season. However, the Fayetteville native isn’t afraid of the added pressure.
“I’ve been doing this since I was probably nine years old and just finding that balance, so it’s pretty easy for me now,” Smith said. “We’ve got a lot of veteran guys as well, but part of being a point guard is the same thing as being a quarterback. Regardless of what year it is, you’ve got to come in and lead. Whether it’s by example or vocally, you’ve got to accept that responsibility.”
Smith, alongside the likes of 13-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki and Mavericks leading scorer Harrison Barnes, could provide the spark Dallas needs to return to the NBA Playoffs.
“Well, having a dynamic point guard that can get places that can attack space … can really be a game-changer,” Carlisle said.
Despite Smith’s obvious upside and freak athleticism, the rookie understands that he has much to learn in his transition to the NBA.
“I want to learn exactly how to play defense,” Smith said. “You know, that’s not something that was really pressed about last year… I’m looking forward to learning a lot about it this year, and I think that will be the main thing — learning how to play.”
Scouts and draft experts argued that Smith’s flaws were his effort level, perimeter shooting and defensive abilities, despite averaging 1.9 steals per game last season with the Pack; however, Smith told the media he was looking forward to proving the naysayers wrong.
“[Criticism] wasn’t frustrating. Like I said, I go out there and try to be the best Dennis Smith Jr. I can every game,” Smith said. “My teammates appreciated my effort, my coach and the rest of the staff approached my effort at a maximum level, so I think I did a good job with that. And they feel the same.”
Smith has not yet signed his rookie contract but he will still play in Las Vegas for the Mavericks’ summer league team. Dallas is slated to play the Chicago Bulls Saturday at 4:30 p.m., the Phoenix Suns Sunday at 4:30 p.m. and the Miami Heat July 11 at 8 p.m.
