LAS VEGAS — Resurrected with a newfound repute as a defensive stopper, Dennis Smith Jr. discovered the crew that match like a glove.
“It was communicated to me that I was a priority and the direction they were trying to go in was also on the same trajectory that I am in my career,” the 25-year-old stated Sunday whereas watching the Summer League Nets trample the Knicks. “And I just thought it was hand-in-glove fit.”
Indeed, the Nets are in a section just like Smith’s fashion and profession arc. They’re a reconstruction after the Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving catastrophe, keen to determine an id round youth and two-way adeptness.
Smith Jr. stated he contemplated the match a couple of days previous to free company, and the Nets turned his first name. He now envisions a powerful defensive squad in Brooklyn, although he was cautious of daring declarations after a pair seasons with the Knicks.
“I know how y’all do in NY,” Smith Jr. stated with a smile. “But I think we could be a really, really good defensive team. We got all the pieces in place for it. I think coach (Jacque Vaughn) is on board with it as well.”
Still, minutes are hardly assured. Some of Smith Jr.’s alternatives will likely be reliant on Brooklyn’s least dependable participant, Ben Simmons. If Simmons can’t resuscitate his profession as a guard, the backup spots are vast open. It wasn’t a very good signal for Simmons — who hasn’t performed a sport since Feb. 15 — that he withdrew from the FIBA World Cup. People are skeptical Simmons will ever be persistently on a basketball court docket once more.
That’s the place Smith Jr. matches in.
He’s basically changing Patty Mills, who was traded to the Thunder throughout free company, as a guard depth piece. Training camp and preseason will likely be vital to checking out Smith Jr.’s standing and his spot within the rotation.
“I’m going to have to come in and earn my minutes like everybody else,” Smith Jr. stated. “That’s on par with my brand. Ain’t nothing been given to me. So I’m looking forward to that.”
Smith Jr. had a tough go the final time he performed in New York, though that was with the Manhattan crew. He was drafted ninth general in 2017 by the Mavericks, demonstrating elite athleticism as a rookie however fell out of Rick Carlisle’s favor.
He was traded to the Knicks within the bundle for Kristaps Porzingis, kicking off a rollercoaster two-year tenure that almost ended Smith Jr.’s NBA profession. He misplaced his confidence and shot with the Knicks, an unlucky improvement that coincided with the demise of his stepmother and followers booing him at MSG.
A yr later, Smith Jr. was out of Tom Thibodeau’s rotation and took the weird step of requesting to play within the G-League, because the Daily News reported. After accidents sabotaged stints with the Pistons and Blazers, Smith Jr. was out of the NBA and considering a profession change.
“I told my previous agent, ‘I’m not going overseas,’” Smith Jr. informed the Daily News final season. “If sh— don’t work out, I’m just going to the NFL. And I was dead-ass serious. I put on hella weight. I was gonna try.”
Instead, Smith Jr. rejuvenated his basketball profession with the Hornets and signed a one-year, $2.5 million take care of the Nets. He stated the circumstances made his assured contract sweeter.
“It’s the first time I actually got to be a free agent,” Smith Jr. stated earlier than itemizing the elbow and knee accidents that held him again. “So, I had consecutive coaching camp offers and now I get to truly be a free agent the place anyone is asking me like, “We need you over right here as an alternative of simply going there and having to power my approach to be a part of their plans. So I’m grateful.
Early in his profession, Smith Jr. relied on his athleticism whereas accumulating spectacular highlights and two Slam Dunk contest appearances. He averaged 15.2 factors within the first season with the Mavericks, even drawing reward from LeBron James But the remainder of Smith Jr.’s sport didn’t catch up. His protection was subpar with the Knicks, and the bounce shot stays inconsistent.
But the Charlotte stint confirmed progress within the areas required for being an efficient position participant. His protection took an enormous leap. His turnovers have been down. He averaged 8.8 factors in 25.7 minutes over 54 video games with 4.8 assists, however essentially the most spectacular improvement was protection.
He’s bringing that to Brooklyn.
“(The defensive transformation) started a little bit before Charlotte. It’s a lot of film study,” stated Smith Jr., who added that he watched the defensive work of Jrue Holiday, Avery Bradley and Chris Paul. “And having my minutes taken away from me, I had to try to figure out different ways to get on the court and impact the game with my role decreased. So a lot of film study, check my ego at the door and it’s worked out for me.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com