Dribbling, 3-point shooting… Derek Lively II takes it up a technical notch

“ Look at that, look at that! », Enthuses the local TV commentator. Under his eyes, Derek Lively II just comfortably moved up the leather, switching from one hand to another, before attacking Brandon Clarke in transition and finish in the circle after a spin move.

The kind of striking action coming from the Mavs pivot who demonstrates undeniable progress in ball handling and more technical finishes. “ I just tried to diversify my game as much as possible “, sums up, talking about his summer work, the interior cited on the team's website.

Is this action, at the start of which rookie point guard Jazian Gortman does not hesitate at all to pass the ball to him after the throw-in, a simple preseason exception?

“ He does it in training. He has the qualities required to be a player capable of releasing pressure through dribbling. We'll see how it goes as training camp progresses, if he's able to get the ball up and organize us ”, wait to see Jason Kidd.

Better touch

His player will not hesitate. “ Any time I get an opportunity to shine or be able to get the ball up and go to the rim, I'm going to do it. But I'm not going to try to do it every possession, because that's not how we're going to play. And that's not how we're going to find the Finals “, he says.

It would still be wrong to deprive himself. Because the pivot has the feeling that his touch on the ball – whether on his right or left hand hooks, or even his “floater” – is “ much better “. “ I am more in control, more balanced and more comfortable », Lists the one who converted… 75% of his shots during his rookie season.

With this touch, Derek Lively II hopes to boost a much less impressive free throw success percentage (only 50%). The 20-year-old also plans to show off behind the 3-point line, a potential development that was discussed last June.

“ I feel comfortable with my touch. It doesn't matter that I start in front of the circle and gradually work my way to the free throw, then to the 3-pointer. It's just about being more confident, whether my shot is in rhythm or not. Have confidence in your shot and stick to it », displays the pivot who has no shortage of gunners around him on whom to take an example.

How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.