On a night where the focus was undoubtedly on first overall pick Victor Wembanyama, it was another rookie that made an eye-opening impact for his team. Here is a look at the breakdown of Dereck Lively II’s first game for the Dallas Mavericks.
Instant Improvement
Lively II, in just his first game in the National Basketball Association notched a very strong double-double. There were several aspects that were an immediate improvement for both the Dallas Mavericks and him.
He finished the game scoring 16 points on an efficient 7 out of 8 shooting. The 16 he scored was more than any game that he recorded while anchoring the paint for the Duke Blue Devils last year. He presented himself at the rim as a lob threat, and also showed his ability to play with his back to the basket and score inside. He has been spending a lot of time learning from and working with Tyson Chandler, and his game is a very similar approach.
Lively finished the game tallying ten rebounds, six of which came on the offensive end of the floor, providing a rebounding presence that they have been sorely missing for some time at the center position. In the third quarter, Lively threw down an emphatic put-back dunk, which surely excited Mavericks fans. We will see if this trend continues Friday against the Brooklyn Nets. He is projected to be the starting center, however, whether starting or off the bench, Lively has proven he is willing to do what is necessary to help the team win.
Area For Improvement
The one main area for improvement for Lively would be to make sure he is in the right places defensively. At times, Lively could be seen out of place, and then having to hurry to get back into the right place on the floor. In a league where the players are as talented as they are in the NBA, this will lead to almost certain foul trouble, especially in the scenario of players driving to the basket. Late rotation will not help him to stay on the floor if he begins to rack up fouls as he did in the preseason. If he continues to focus on this area, he will become a very solid piece for Dallas moving forward.
The excitement for Lively is definitely there in Dallas. Mavericks fans want to see him remain consistent and contribute. Playing with two stars like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving will definitely help him evolve and become a strong player in this league.