Among the interesting narratives early in the NBA playoffs is the strong play of rookies.
One rookie who failed to qualify for the post-season, but is glued to the TV watching games, is determined to turn that fact into just a footnote in his ongoing underdog story.
Dallas Mavericks point guard Dennis Smith Jr. is the ultimate underdog, which is why he’s one of the faces of Under Armour’s new year-long global campaign “Will Finds A Way,” starring in a documentary campaign film narrated by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Smith Jr. grew up in the tight knit town of Fayetteville, N.C., with his single father, grandmother and community all supporting him as a basketball player. When Smith Jr. tore his ACL in high school, he thought his chance for an NBA career was over. His dedication and resilience willed him through his rehab and that work ethic landed him in the NBA. Now Smith Jr. is hoping to apply that will to his quest for the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
As his first off-season as a pro begins, Sportsnet caught up with Smith Jr. to learn about the Carolina guard tradition and the difficulty defending the point guards in the Toronto Raptors–Washington Wizards series.
Sportsnet.ca: What’s it like having the ultimate underdog-to-success story, The Rock, voicing a film about your underdog story?
Dennis Smith Jr.: It’s crazy (laughs). And the way you just said it and putting it in that perspective is even more mind-blowing. It’s just great to be in this position; everything happens for a reason. Growing up watching The Rock and having The Rock action figures, I would never think that he’d be voicing my story to the world. I’m just thankful for it.
SN: What was your upbringing like as a child?
DS: I had a lot of family members that were contributing. That really made me big on family. Nobody would leave anybody out to dry. Everybody looked out for one another. It was tough times but with family you can get through anything, I learned that as a youngin’. When I tore my ACL I was down for a day or two. And when I flew back home I had family around me and family brightened up every situation for me so I got over that pretty quickly. Growing up tough, dealing with that injury, I accepted that and got over it because of family.
SN: You were raised by a single dad. What did you learn from him?
DS: How to take care of your own. He made it a priority to put me and my sister first over anything that was happening with him. He just showed me that and it stuck with me to this day, that you take care of your own.
SN: What was it like growing up in the basketball culture in North Carolina?
DS: It was great. There was always a lot of competition wherever we played at in North Carolina. No matter if it was Fayetteville, Greensboro, Charlotte, Concord, wherever it was just competition and it made me a better player.
SN: The best point guards in the world right now are being produced in North Carolina. Why is that?
DS: It may be because, Duke, UNC, NC State, Wake Forest is around. I know Chris Paul came out and was doing his thing. After that Steph Curry came out and he was balling. And then John Wall and then me. It may be because we always had somebody to look up to so we could see how they were doing it and implement that in to our game.
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SN: What did you learn playing with Dirk Nowitzki?
DS: He knows the game. He is dedicated and puts a lot of time into the game. He is still putting in the time to be great to this day. I’m definitely learning things it takes to be a great one and a Hall of Famer. He doesn’t even have to say too much, you can just see it.
SN: Were you surprised Rick Carlisle trusted you to run the team so early in your career?
DS: With the stories that I heard about him it could be surprising, but with me I work hard. I knew that I had to come in, pay my dues and earn my respect as a rookie. I felt like eventually it was bound to happen. The harder you work, the more confidence you gain. I felt like at some point I was going to have my shot eventually.
SN: What was it like being included in the All-Star Game festivities?
DS: It was great. I had a good time. It was great seeing all the players enjoying one another’s company. Overall it was a success for me. My family enjoyed it as well.
SN: Many people feel like you got robbed during the dunk competition? Will you be back next year to show what other dunks you had prepared?
DS: No sir (laughs).
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SN: What do you make of the strong playoff performances of some of the other rookies in your class?
DS: Yeah, I’ve been watching them. Been excited for them. You can’t do nothing but salute that they came in as rookies and they are in the playoffs balling out. Especially Jason, you know that’s my guy. I’ve known him since high school, so to see him doing his thing is pretty dope so you got to salute him.
SN: The best point guard matchup in the playoffs is Kyle Lowry versus John Wall in the Toronto Raptors versus Washington Wizards series. What makes those guys tough to play against?
DS: John, he’s a really big point guard. He uses his body well. He uses his speed to advantage. He’s a really tough defender. He’s a force when he’s out there. Kyle Lowry is good in the pick and roll. He’s a really good scorer, a floor general. Toronto has a really good team around him as well. They are both good in their own ways. You have to respect both of their games.
SN: What have you made of the Raptors playoff run?
DS: I hope they compete as hard as possible and continue to make the playoffs interesting to watch. Their fans deserve that. They had a really good regular season so we’ll see if they can keep that up in the post-season.
SN: What would it mean to you to finish off your story back in the playoffs winning a championship?
DS: I think that’ll be great not only just for me but for my teammates and the city of Dallas and the whole organization. I think it would be major for all of us. I believe it’s a possibility. Next year we are aiming for the playoffs. We have a Larry O’Brien Trophy in our weight room. You walk by that every day and there is no way it doesn’t motivate you. To be able to hold one of those and to hoist it up, that’ll be great for my story and the whole city of Dallas and signify that I never quit and never gave up.
