Although he bounced back quite well in Charlotte last season, Dennis Smith Jr. never confirmed or exploited his potential, seen at the start of his career in Dallas after being drafted ninth in 2017.
With the Hornets or with his contract in Brooklyn for next season, he now stands out as a player who defends, paid minimum wage and who must fight to snatch his playing time.
“It’s very different, day and night,” does he notice for the New York Postbetween his debut and his current position in the league. “I am mature, I progress and I learn things every year. I’m grateful for everything that’s happened to me since I’ve been in the league. Without that, I wouldn’t be the player or the man I am today. »
Last season, Dennis Smith Jr. took advantage of the absence of LaMelo Ball to show himself to his advantage.
On the side of Brooklyn, he could also have his chance since Ben Simmons will return from injury and will be very closely watched physically. In addition, Edmond Sumner, whose contract is not yet guaranteed, and Cam Thomas do not have the assurance of playing much.
“I will have to earn my minutes, like all the others”, explains the former Mavs. “It’s in my image, nothing was ever given to me. I am impatient. But I was thinking about this group two weeks before I received their call. I was as enthusiastic as them. I see myself in this team and it worked perfectly. »
| Dennis Smith | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2017-18 | DAL | 69 | 30 | 39.5 | 31.3 | 69.4 | 0.7 | 3.0 | 3.8 | 5.2 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 15.2 |
| 2018-19 * | All Teams | 53 | 29 | 42.8 | 32.2 | 63.5 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 4.8 | 2.4 | 1.3 | 2.9 | 0.4 | 13.6 |
| 2018-19 * | DAL | 32 | 28 | 44.0 | 34.4 | 69.5 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 4.3 | 2.6 | 1.3 | 3.1 | 0.3 | 12.9 |
| 2018-19 * | NYK | 21 | 29 | 41.3 | 28.9 | 56.8 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 2.8 | 5.4 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 14.7 |
| 2019-20 | NYK | 34 | 16 | 34.1 | 29.6 | 50.9 | 0.6 | 1.7 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 5.5 |
| 2020-21 * | All Teams | 23 | 18 | 40.0 | 32.8 | 73.1 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 2.4 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 6.7 |
| 2020-21 * | TED | 20 | 20 | 41.5 | 35.2 | 70.0 | 0.6 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 3.7 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 7.3 |
| 2020-21 * | NYK | 3 | 9 | 20.0 | 0.0 | 83.3 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 3.0 |
| 2021-22 | ORP | 37 | 17 | 41.8 | 22.2 | 65.6 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 2.4 | 3.6 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 5.6 |
| 2022-23 | CHA | 54 | 26 | 41.2 | 21.6 | 73.6 | 0.5 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 4.8 | 2.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 8.8 |
| Total | 270 | 24 | 40.3 | 29.9 | 66.7 | 0.6 | 2.4 | 3.0 | 4.4 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 10.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
