DENVER –If Rodrigue Beaubois can continue playing the way he has the past three games, he may indeed be the Dallas Mavericks’ point guard of the future.
OK, maybe the point guard that backs up Deron Williams.
Over the past three games, Beaubois has scored 49 points, grabbed 18 rebounds, handed out eight assists, picked up five steals and turned the ball over just five times. It’s his most impressive three-game stretch in his three-year career, and was the type of consistency coach Rick Carlisle has
practically begged Beaubois to deliver.
“The guys have responded really well with him on the floor,’’ Carlisle said. “The challenge is to continue with it.’’
With the Mavs without Delonte West (finger) and Shawn Marion (knee), Beaubois has become even more valuable. West and Marion were the main lockdown perimeter defenders, and now that falls on Beauboois’ shoulders.
“Right now with West still out and Marion not here, Roddy has become one of the better perimeter defenders,’’ Carlisle said. “We need his playmaking and scoring and defense.
“He’s a really important guy right now.’’
Carlisle has gotten on Beaubois repeatedly about being in the proper defensive stance. Against the Spurs, Carlisle said: “He sustained well in that game. If you look at larger chunks of times, he’s getting better.
“He’s trending in the right direction with those things. But with constant reminders – not just him, with everybody – and just in the stance is the first step to good defense.’’
Dirk Nowitxki has certainly noticed the change in Beaubois.
"I like his decisionm-making,'' he said. "He's been aggressive, he's finishing at the rim, he's running guys on the pick-n-roll.
"He cuts well, he gets to the basket, he's attacking and I really like what he's at.''
-- Dwain Price
Follow me on Twitter
@dwainprice
Comments