With Dennis Smith Jr. about to make his much anticipated NBA debut on Wednesday, I thought I'd take a look back at how other prominent Mavs rookies did in their NBA debuts.
1981: Mark Aguirre and Rolando Blackman
Aguirre, the only #1 overall pick in franchise history, filled the box score, scoing 19 points to go along with 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Unfortunately he was 7-21 from the field in a 105-89 Mavs loss to Utah. Blackman struggled in his debut, scoring 2 points on 1-7 shooting. Much better days were to come for both players.
1983: Derek Harper and Dale Ellis
Ellis the ninth pick in the 83 draft scored 11 points in 15 minutes, as the Mavs walloped the Suns 120-103. Harper, the 11th pick, only played 1 minute and scored 2 points. A much bigger role would soon come for the young point guard.
1984: Sam Perkins
Perkins scored 12 points and 8 rebounds as he started at center in his maiden NBA voyage. He was overshadowed however by Hakeem Olajuwon, who had 24 and 9 in his debut as the Mavs fell to Houston 121-111.
1986: Roy Tarpley
Tarpley showed his rebounding prowess by grabbing 10 boards in 19 minutes to go along 7 points as the Mavs thumped the Jazz 103-77.
1993: Jim Jackson
After a lengthy contract holdout that forced him to miss the season's first 54 games, Jackson finally made debut on March 5 in a 105-86 loss to the Rockets. Jackson, started at shooting guard and scored 6 points on 3-8 shooting in 26 minutes.
1993: Jamal Mashburn
Even thought the Mavs fell 102-86 to Utah, Mashburn had a successful first outing, scoring 22 points to lead the team in scoring. He also added 5 assists while shooting 8-15 from the field.
1994: Jason Kidd
The future hall of famer started his co-rookie of the year season by coming 1 rebound short of a triple double in a 112-103 Mavs victory over the Nets. Kidd scored 10 points to go along with his 11 assists and 9 rebounds. The Mavs would win 36 games that year, a huge improvement on the 13 they won in 93-94.
1999: Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk's NBA debut would hardly predict the great heights that were to come, as the then 20-year-old scored 2 points on 0-5 shooting in 16 minutes. The Mavs fell to Dirk's countryman Detlef Schrempf and the Sonics 92-86 in overtime. A lockout shortened season only made the transition to the league tougher for the young German but greatness would soon follow and continues to this day.
2003: Josh Howard
In a game most notable for the only appearance of the Mavs silver "garbage bag" uniforms, Howard scored 4 points and grabbed 3 rebounds in only 5 minutes of action. Although he was only the 29th pick in the draft, Howard would go on to be named 2nd team all-rookie in first season.
2004: Devin Harris
Harris had big shoes to feel as he took over the starting point guard spot from the departed Steve Nash. He performed up to task in his first game, scoring 8 points and dishing off 7 assists in a 107-98 win over the rival Kings. Now in his 14th season in the league, Harris will serve as veteran mentor to Dennis Smith.
2009: Rodrigue Beaubois
After getting a DNP-CD in the season opener, Roddy B. got his first action in the second game of the year, playing 3 scoreless minutes in 94-80 road win over the Lakers. Beaubois would make his presence felt with a 40 point game at Golden State later in his rookie year but unfortunately injuries would derail what look to be a promising career.
No comments:
Post a Comment