Alright folks, grab your coffee, settle in. Wanted to share this little deep dive I got myself into yesterday, all about Dennis Smith Jr. and Coach Carlisle down in Charlotte. Been tracking them since the preseason shuffle, you know?
Started simple enough. Fired up my laptop around lunchtime, still buzzing after that messy Pistons game. I thought, “Man, Dennis looked different out there.” So I pulled up the basic stuff first: checking his minutes played, shot chart from the last few games – basic box score stuff anyone could find.
Then I remembered something Rick said in a post-game presser maybe two weeks back. Couldn’t recall the exact words, just the gist. So I spent the next hour digging through local beat reporters’ Twitter feeds and team site clips like I was hunting buried treasure. Found the clip. Rick was talking about needing “steady hands” and “decision-making” at the point guard spot. Really underlined those words. Made me wonder.
Putting the Pieces Together
Seeing Dennis on the court lately… it clicked a little. There’s less of that crazy wild-horse energy he used to have, trying to dunk on everyone every single play. More… measured? He’s driving still, yeah, but it feels more like he’s picking his spots now. Got me thinking:
- Coach Carlisle Effect? Rick is demanding, everyone knows it. Strict systems, hates turnovers, wants his guards to run things exactly how he draws them up. Feels like he’s grinding that “free spirit” out of Dennis bit by bit. Not necessarily a bad thing!
- Dennis Buying In? That’s the real question. Is Dennis finally buying into this structured approach? He took fewer questionable jumpers the last couple of games, seemed more focused on getting the ball to Bridges and Ball (when he plays) in rhythm. Looked like he was trying to be that “steady hand”.
- The Fit Thing
They drafted Miller, LaMelo’s the franchise guy when healthy… where does Dennis slot in long-term? Is he trying to morph himself into that reliable backup point guard Rick covets? A guy who won’t lose the game for you?
Pondered this all afternoon. Watched the Pistons game again last night specifically focusing on Dennis, play after play. Noticed he sat earlier than usual when he had a couple of quick turnovers, but Carlisle put him back in during crunch time. That was interesting. Rick trusted him enough in a close game late – that tells me something.
So, just my two cents after staring at screens far too long: Don’t expect Dennis Smith Jr. circa 2018. Carlisle’s molding him into something more controlled, maybe less flashy but potentially more valuable to winning. The leash is short, the expectations are clear: run the offense, don’t be careless, defend your butt off. If Dennis keeps playing within that framework like he has started to show signs of doing, maybe he carves out a real niche there after all these twists and turns in his career. It’s early days yet, but something’s shifting. We’ll see how long it sticks!
