Seems like every time I watch these Mavs I‘m pleasantly surprised.
Dirk Nowitzki turning back the clock 10 years. Wesley Matthews playing nothing like a guy recovering from Achilles surgery. Dwight Powell being a double-double machine. Even JaVale McGee jumping out of the moth balls and over the rim.
Oh yeah, and Deron Williams playing like he’s got more than a little left in the tank.
I must have been seeing things, because Sunday night in Oklahoma City it looked like the veteran point guard even dunked. Actually, it did happen. The 31-year-old whose skills and athleticism are admittedly in decline punctuated his promising, surprising start with his first dunk in almost two years.
Joke Williams, “I wasn’t even sure I could do that anymore.”
The 9-5 Mavs, of course, are more excited about Williams’ all-court play. He’s averaging 14 points, seven assists and five rebounds to lead Dallas’ surprisingly successful start. He’s not the All-Star guard from five years ago. He doesn’t consistently blow by defenders. But he’s been a refreshing positive.
As long as we don’t expect too many superlatives. Or dunks.
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Said Williams to Sports Illustrated, “My days of scoring 20 and 10 are over. I know that.”
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
