The rookie out of Duke had a tremendous first season and has been rewarded for it
Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II has been named to the NBA All-Rookie 2nd Team, per the NBA. He received the sixth-most voting points after averaging 8.8 PPG, 6.9 RPG, and 1.4 BPG this season, though his impact was felt beyond his statistics.READ MORE: Dallas Mavericks Set to Play the Minnesota Timberwolves in Western Conference Finals
Lively, who spent one season at Duke in college, is the first Dallas Maverick to be named to an All-Rookie team since Luka Doncic won Rookie of the Year and was named to the All-Rookie First Team in 2019. Had this award taken postseason success into effect, Lively likely would've placed higher, as he had a tremendous series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, including 12 points and 15 rebounds in the close-out Game 6, while finishing has a +71 for the series.
Dereck Lively II finished behind San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama, Oklahoma City's Chet Holmgren, Charlotte's Brandon Miller, Miami's Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Golden State's Brandin Podziemski. He was on the second team with Houston's Amen Thompson, Utah's Keyontae George, Oklahoma City's Cason Wallace, and Memphis' GG Jackson. Below is the full voting count.
Lively had been playing well down the stretch of the season before a knee injury in March kept him out for the remainder of the regular season. He was moved to the bench in favor of Daniel Gafford, who the Mavericks acquired at the trade deadline, and has taken his new role in stride as he dominates the glass against backup bigs.
Luka Doncic has enjoyed having Lively as a lob threat on the interior over the centers Dallas has had in the past, and pairing him with Gafford has only made it easier for Doncic. Following Game 6 against OKC, Doncic even said the following regarding Lively: "He was amazing... He’s doing this while being a rookie, he has unbelievable potential and I’m just glad the Mavs drafted him.”
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Dallas Mavericks' Dereck Lively II Punished Thunder's 'Disrespect' at Free Throw LineDallas Mavericks rookie Dereck Lively II was intentionally fouled frequently in clutch time before helping ice a Game 3 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Read more »
Dallas Mavericks' Dereck Lively II Anchoring Improved Defense Against ClippersThe Dallas Mavericks center has been a force at the rim against the LA Clippers during the first round
Read more »
Dallas Mavericks’ Dereck Lively II had a playoff debut after his mother’s deathLively’s mother Kathy Drysdale died on April 12, Lively had been away from the team in order to care for her,
Read more »
Rookie Dereck Lively II Comes Up Huge as Mavericks Punch Ticket to Western ConferenceThe Mavericks needed every ounce of impact Lively II provided to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Read more »
Mavericks' Dereck Lively II Pays Tribute to Late Mother After Game 6 WinKathy Drysdale died of cancer at the age of 53 on April 12.
Read more »
Dereck Lively II Continues to Impress as Mavericks Take Lead Against OKC ThunderThe Dallas Mavericks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 104-92 on Wednesday night en route to taking a commanding 3-2 lead in the series. Luka Doncic seemingly returned to MVP form, registering 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists.
Read more »