On the star-studded stage of the NBA, every player aspires to be a shining star. Dennis Smith, the former Mavericks point guard, was once considered a rising star among guards for his amazing jumping ability and dunking skills. However, as time went on, his light seemed to fade, and his name was no longer the focus of heated discussions among fans and the media.
Smith isn't the best at the rest of the body, but he's jumpy enough to move him through the air. On the stage of the slam dunk contest, he completed an eye-catching dunk under his short stature, as if to tell the world that he can soar above the basket even if his height does not have an advantage. These performances of his have made people remember him, just like the Thunder's Westbrook, full of explosiveness and passion.
During his time with the Mavericks, Smith showed his potential as a point guard, with a strong ability to attack the rim and incredible speed. He moves around the court like lightning, often shaking off defenders in one step and then scoring with ease. However, problems also arise. Aside from his breakaway scores, Smith hasn't been as good as he could have been.
His mid-range shooting, three-point shot, and catch-and-shoot all need to be improved. So far in his career, Smith has shot 27.7 percent from close range, 32 percent from mid-range range, and 31.5 percent from three-point range. Such data shows that he has a lot of room for improvement in scoring efficiency.
Smith's draft template was Westbrook, but he failed to match Westbrook's level in terms of shooting percentage or efficiency. Similarly, his turnover rate is quite high. In the '18-19 season, Smith had an assist rate of 24 percent, but also a whopping 20 percent turnover. That means he's almost always going to make a mistake for every assist he contributes, which clearly doesn't meet the criteria for a good point guard.
In terms of team leadership, Doncic's arrival changed Smith's position with the Mavericks. Doncic showed a stronger ability to lead the team, and Smith, who was unwilling to give in, was eventually traded. In the days that followed, whether it was with the Knicks, Pistons, or the Trail Blazers, Smith got a chance to play, but failed to show much of a bright performance.
Now, Smith has joined the Nets and accepted a base salary contract. This may be an opportunity for him to re-examine his own strength and role. In a competitive environment like the NBA, every player needs to constantly improve and adapt. For Smith, letting go of the aura of the past and working a down-to-earth basis may help him find a new foothold in the league.