Welcome Dennis Smith Jr.

[J_T]

He needs to find his way with another organization. Player who is refusing to play is not someone I want to have around.

[dirkules_41]

I wouldn't take him back if they sent us the picks back too. Luka seems to still like him as he sent him a happy bday shout out on instagram the other day but in all honesty he's wasted his talents and his attitude stunk even when he was here.
It's sobering to no longer have to place our hopes in him and be able to look at the hard truth from a distance.

[DJ_3_Ball]

Maybe I'm overstating the case. But, I see a guy (DSJ) who isn't going to be in the league 2 years from now.

NOT EVEN IN THE LEAGUE.

That's how far his star has fallen. There was legitimate talk about him being ROY early in his rookie year. He's just disappeared due to a total lack of maturity. It really doesn't seem like basketball is his thing. He hasn't improved in a single category, a single ability from year 1 to year 3.

Meanwhile, I've seen DSJ multiple times on House of Highlights videos. Soaking up the stardom in all kinds of ways. But, he's not putting in the work.

It's just super sad to see. I thought he'd go to New York and slide right into THJ's propped up 20 ppg scorer's role last year. Nowhere near that. Again, just super sad to see. This is a kid whose on his way to being out of the league. A kid so delusional that he probably won't even accept a G-league offer when the time comes.

He might be 28-30 yrs old before he gets his act together, and by then it'll be too late. The physical gifts won't be as impressive, and he'll have added NOTHING to go along with it.

Kendrick Lamar said it best. "Be HUMBLE." kids.

[DJ_3_Ball]

Geez. DSJ last night: 0/5 FGs 1 pt 3 rebs 1 asst 1 stl 2 TOs 12 min. 12 minutes played and double the amount of TOs than he had points.

Just so sad. This dude is pretty much on a one way ticket to the G-league. We're talking about probable out of professional basketball (of any kind) in 2 years or less. Wow!

[Archx]

Geez. DSJ last night: 0/5 FGs 1 pt 3 rebs 1 asst 1 stl 2 TOs 12 min. 12 minutes played and double the amount of TOs than he had points.

Just so sad. This dude is pretty much on a one way ticket to the G-league. We're talking about probable out of professional basketball (of any kind) in 2 years or less. Wow!

I am actually not surprised. We've seen the difference between him and Luka after the 1st game already. In his head he was a superstar in the making purely because he could jump high but the decision making was at Fultz level (when he was still in Philly). I know some people would want him back but he really looks like he doesn't give a damn and still has no jumper. He can't even defend his own shadow either.

[wolfram]

I have a feeling these kids are not ready for the NBA. System is flawed. But they have so many young players it doesn't really matter.

[HMFFL]

Work ethic seems to be lacking.
Luka on the other hand continues to be hungry to get and improved.

[dirkules_41]

Work ethic seems to be lacking.
Luka on the other hand continues to be hungry to get and improved.

Luka just LOVES to play ball. Has since he was a little kid and you can see his excitement to play and have fun out there every time he laces up his sneakers.
DSJ on the other hand just lacks any basic passion for the game and I agree if he doesn't have some wake up moment he'll be out of the league after this contract.

[DJ_3_Ball]

Work ethic seems to be lacking.
Luka on the other hand continues to be hungry to get and improved.

Luka just LOVES to play ball. Has since he was a little kid and you can see his excitement to play and have fun out there every time he laces up his sneakers.
DSJ on the other hand just lacks any basic passion for the game and I agree if he doesn't have some wake up moment he'll be out of the league after this contract.

I don't know. I mean, I think Luka has put in more work than DSJ has. DSJ should be shooting at a higher rate from year 1 to year 2 to year 3 etc., even if the improvement was only incremental. Instead, his #s have declined. He's shooting 32.0% FGs this year! Whoa!

But, I mean, it's kinda harsh to say the guy doesn't love the game or lacks passion. I remember, last year, he got his front tooth knocked out, went to the locker room got a filler put in somehow, came back and blocked Tobias Harris' turnaround jumper to seal the win.

What I think it is, and this is a big credit to Luka, DSJ is just more susceptible to distractions. Getting a DM from J Cole. I bet DSJ has many Instagram "model" ""friends"", and loves the attention. I think, DSJ, has allowed the attention to inflate his ego. Luka has received like, literally, 1 million times the attention DSJ ever did, and Luka is focused & driven. That's special.

[dirkules_41]

Work ethic seems to be lacking.
Luka on the other hand continues to be hungry to get and improved.

Luka just LOVES to play ball. Has since he was a little kid and you can see his excitement to play and have fun out there every time he laces up his sneakers.
DSJ on the other hand just lacks any basic passion for the game and I agree if he doesn't have some wake up moment he'll be out of the league after this contract.

I don't know. I mean, I think Luka has put in more work than DSJ has. DSJ should be shooting at a higher rate from year 1 to year 2 to year 3 etc., even if the improvement was only incremental. Instead, his #s have declined. He's shooting 32.0% FGs this year! Whoa!

But, I mean, it's kinda harsh to say the guy doesn't love the game or lacks passion. I remember, last year, he got his front tooth knocked out, went to the locker room got a filler put in somehow, came back and blocked Tobias Harris' turnaround jumper to seal the win.

What I think it is, and this is a big credit to Luka, DSJ is just more susceptible to distractions. Getting a DM from J Cole. I bet DSJ has many Instagram "model" ""friends"", and loves the attention. I think, DSJ, has allowed the attention to inflate his ego. Luka has received like, literally, 1 million times the attention DSJ ever did, and Luka is focused & driven. That's special.

I'm not even talking about practice (I don't know how much either one practices) or numbers (everyone has a bad stretch at times) but just the way they carry themselves and the behaviour they display (DJSs absence from the team while he was here, his on field demeanour etc). Luka has a smile on his face and is joking with everyone all the time incl. his team mates, opponents, refs, audience. I've never seen that kind of fun on the court from DSJ.

[DJ_3_Ball]

... or numbers (everyone has a bad stretch at times)...

Touche to your point about DSJ's on court demeanor while he was here. I remember one game he went and stood out at the 28 foot line, bent over with his hands on his knees because Carlisle had someone else run the play.

But, you should look at his numbers. Look at DSJ's career numbers. It'll make you sad, man. He's digressed pretty much every year in the league.

[fuller4379]

At least we sold high on DSJ. Got him out of Dallas before he went to complete crap.

[HMFFL]

DSJ has relied on this athletic abalitiy for a very long time and didn't have to practice as much until he reached the NBA where the talent is great. Money also chances the mindset of players once they reach the NBA (obviously). Kobe Bryant said it best, every level was more difficult for him than the NBA, because money changes the way players approach the game. The passion for the game and to achieve the most success as possible is no longer the priority.

[HMFFL]

At least we sold high on DSJ. Got him out of Dallas before he went to complete crap.

I concur.
I was surprised we received the return that we did even if KP was coming off the injury. DSJ had was having issues with our Coaching staff, or RC, and we included players that didn't have a future with our team. We made out very well.

[HairyGOATee]

DSJ has relied on this athletic abalitiy for a very long time and didn't have to practice as much until he reached the NBA where the talent is great. Money also chances the mindset of players once they reach the NBA (obviously). Kobe Bryant said it best, every level was more difficult for him than the NBA, because money changes the way players approach the game. The passion for the game and to achieve the most success as possible is no longer the priority.

Kinda like Chandler Parsons. Got his money and then dipped.

[Captain_Obvious]

At least we sold high on DSJ. Got him out of Dallas before he went to complete crap.

I concur.
I was surprised we received the return that we did even if KP was coming off the injury. DSJ had was having issues with our Coaching staff, or RC, and we included players that didn't have a future with our team. We made out very well.

We really owe Dennis for showcasing a triple double against the Knicks

That was a 1:1000 game. Will never happen again for him.

[dirkules_41]

Just seen he is averaging 5.6 points, 2 boards, 2.9 assists and 1.5 TO with 33.6% from the field, 31.6% from 3 and 50% FTs in 16.8 mins per game across 19 games. That makes for a PER of 7.02.
Wow...

Still can't believe we got KP and THJ for him and 2 tbd picks.

[DJ_3_Ball]

Just seen he is averaging 5.6 points, 2 boards, 2.9 assists and 1.5 TO with 33.6% from the field, 31.6% from 3 and 50% FTs in 16.8 mins per game across 19 games. That makes for a PER of 7.02.
Wow...

Still can't believe we got KP and THJ for him and 2 tbd picks.

We all know the Knicks made that trade for the salary cap space.

DSJ is a better player than his stats would indicate, although those stats just show you what a cesspool the Knicks organization is. No one goes to New York and becomes a better player (which is actually promising for KP. He'll become a better player here in Dallas than he ever would have in NYK). Still, DSJ isn't what got that deal done. The Mavs willing to take on those contracts and the picks is what got the deal done.

[dirkules_41]

Just seen he is averaging 5.6 points, 2 boards, 2.9 assists and 1.5 TO with 33.6% from the field, 31.6% from 3 and 50% FTs in 16.8 mins per game across 19 games. That makes for a PER of 7.02.
Wow...

Still can't believe we got KP and THJ for him and 2 tbd picks.

We all know the Knicks made that trade for the salary cap space.

DSJ is a better player than his stats would indicate, although those stats just show you what a cesspool the Knicks organization is. No one goes to New York and becomes a better player (which is actually promising for KP. He'll become a better player here in Dallas than he ever would have in NYK). Still, DSJ isn't what got that deal done. The Mavs willing to take on those contracts and the picks is what got the deal done.

Not even the point.
A bit over 12 months ago we still had marketing collateral with him and Luka as the faces of our franchise, now look at this. I mean I know it was bad but this is out of the NBA soon level of productivity, or lack thereof.

[DJ_3_Ball]

A bit over 12 months ago we still had marketing collateral with him and Luka as the faces of our franchise, now look at this. I mean I know it was bad but this is out of the NBA soon level of productivity, or lack thereof.

Yeah, it's super sad. The guy's ego isn't going to allow him to work harder & turn things around, either. I bet he's knee deep in the blame game.

It's super, super sad because he has the talent, but he doesn't have the right mentality.