By George Efkarpides/ info@eurohoops.net
Now more than ever, basketball is a sport driven and dominated by guard play. Due to the speed of the game and the three-point shot, it is imminent that great teams have dynamic “do-it-all” guards.
Paul and Harden, Steph and Klay, CJ and Dame, Wall and Beal, DeRozan and Lowry, are the most popular and dynamic guard duos in the game right now averaging more than 40 points per game combined.
Aside from McCollum who is “cursed” by playing in the West and Beal who earned his first cap last season, all of the aforementioned are multi-time all-stars.
Last season, the Dallas Mavericks drafted athletic point-guard Dennis-Smith Jr. The high-flyer from North Carolina State, averaged 15.2 points per game along with 5.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds in just under 30 minutes during his rookie campaign showing flashes of incredible athleticism and playmaking.
Even though his long-range jump shot is not his strongest suit, DSJ now has a partner aside him that has the complete package in Luka Doncic.
Surely, the two guards are more than versatile and basically complement eachother’s weaknesses.
Luka is a much better outside shooter and has a more polished game than his fellow guard but DSJ has elite athleticism which will eventually allow him to defend the better guard on the defensive side of the floor.
Now, Dallas will look to add to their team during free agency. Their potential superstar backcourt will need the necessary complementary pieces in order to succeed and in order to utilize their skills at the maximum.
A big-man that can defend and finish around the rim or even a wing, that can know down open threes is just what the doctor ordered for Doncic, DSJ and the new-look Mavericks.