16 points at 7/8 shooting and 10 rebounds. For his first real match in the NBA, Derek Lively II therefore compiled a double-double, in 31 minutes on the court. However, the rookie was not a starter, contrary to what Jason Kidd announced in preseason. The Dallas coach claims to have wanted to protect him from mistakes at the start of the match.
But the former Duke was still on the field to start the second half against the Spurs.
“I didn’t want Lively to get into foul trouble. I was trying to protect Derek because we knew we needed him. Derek was excellent tonight. Being able to bring him off the bench and being able to start him in the second half was something we looked at doing, and he was good on both ends of the floor. The Spurs rookie was also very good” the coach laughs.
With his energy and his verticality, Derek Lively II represents a profile that Dallas lacked, JaVale McGee having to be this player last year, but the experience was not conclusive.
A budding chemistry with Luka Doncic
“It’s not easy to play with Luka, because Luka will throw the ball and he expects you to catch the ball and put it in the circle” warns Jason Kidd. “And he got a few lofted passes from Luka tonight. Lots of good things from our rookie tonight.”
His understanding with the Slovenian will be extremely important for Dallas, and the two men understand each other.
“I feel like we’re building our chemistry and building our trust in each other, and we’re moving forward.” believes the rookie. “Every day I feel like I’m learning something more about his game, about his rhythm. I try to stick with it and try to make his life easier.”
An approach and a state of mind that pleases the team’s superstar.
“It was his first official game in the NBA and he was incredible” concludes Luka Doncic. “I remember my first match (in 2018), I was very nervous, I didn’t look as relaxed. And he will progress. Every day in training, that’s what he does. He’s a great kid and works extremely hard. »
