Once the regular season ends and NBA playoffs begin, rookies traditionally find their role diminished as the rotation becomes smaller. That is not the case for the Dallas Mavericks, 20-year-old rookie Dereck Lively II has asserted himself as a important piece for the team during the postseason. Lively may have not been a finalist for Rookie of the Year or on the All-Rookie First Team, but he has been the Rookie of the Playoffs.
“We don’t win this series without D Live.” Luka Dončić stated after the series win over OKC Thunder
The Mavs rookie was named to the All-Rookie Second Team. Lively is the only player from the All-Rookie teams remaining in the playoffs. He is averaging 8.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 21.7 minutes per game in the playoffs. In the series against the Thunder, Lively averaged 7.8 rebounds, 7.7 points and 1.5 assists in 23.1 minutes per game.
Lively recorded his second career playoff double-double after a 12-point, 15-rebound showing in Game 6 against the Thunder, helping the Mavericks advance to the Western Conference Finals. The last two rookies to score 10 points and collect 15 rebounds on 60+ FG% in a closeout game are Lively and Magic Johnson. Lively recorded that on 83.3 FG%.
He became the youngest Maverick to record a double-double in the playoffs, after a 11-point, 10-rebound game in Game 5. The 7’1” center became the third rookie since at least 1970-71 to record back-to-back double-doubles coming off the bench in the playoffs. The other two players (Robert Parish, Charles Barkley) went on to have hall-of-fame careers.
Lively joined Sam Perkins and Roy Tarpley as the only rookies in franchise history to have at least 10 points and 15 rebounds in a playoff game. Those three are the only Maverick rookies to record at least 15 rebounds in a game. Lively is the only Dallas rookie to do so coming off the bench.
One of the strategies used in this series by Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault was intentionally fouling Lively, specifically in Game 3 and Game 5. If Lively misses free throws, the assumption is Kidd will take him out and the possession goes to OKC. That would be a win-win for the Thunder. Lively initially did miss and Kidd took the rookie out but it wasn’t for long. Kidd and the team gave him a pep talk and pushed him to accept the fouls and make the free throws. He checked back in the game and was instantly fouled, but then after a taking a breath to calm his nerves he made them and Kidd kept him in the game.
Lively leaned on his mother to make free throws.
“I know I got my mom above me. I know I she watching me on the line, she with me. I know I got my teammates backing me up every step of the way. It’s like I’ll back them up. So when they tell me to step up and make it even if I miss, they’re going to encourage me to make it. So just being able to have a team like that is just.” Dereck Lively II on making crucial free throws
Lively’s journey hasn’t been an easy one. Not only dealing with the transition to the NBA in being a rookie and injuries sustained this season, he had to deal with the passing of his mother Kathy Drysdale in April. Drysdale was the sweetest person, every time Lively was off the court she was right there with him since he arrived in Dallas. She was his best friend. Their bond was beautiful as she was so happy for her son while also pushing him to be a strong young man. Lively’s mother battled cancer since 2013, his father passed away two years prior.
Tyson Chandler has been a huge figure in helping Lively push forward during this difficult time. Lively stated he loves playing basketball but it’s hard to wake up each day when there’s a lot of things going on in the off court life so Chandler has been able to help him keep his head on his two shoulders. Lively’s relationship with Chandler and Mavs assistant coach Sean Sweeney has grown closer over the last month.
“I know little bro going through a lot. We all there for him. He makes it a lot easier for us because he comes to work and he comes in with a smile on his face. He shows that he’s not bothered but we know. We all are there for him, we talk to him all the time. That’s my little homie, even though he a lot taller than me that’s my little bro. I’ll go to bat for D Live. Any day.” Derrick Jones Jr on Dereck Lively II performance in the playoffs
Lively has displayed strength on and off the court in the playoffs. You have to constantly realize he was drafted a year ago with the 12th overall pick. Lively’s maturity defies his label of being a rookie, he wasted no time in making an impact immediately for the team that needed a big. Now, they have two bigs after acquiring Daniel Gafford at the trade deadline. Each center plays a pivotal role in the Mavericks quest for postseason success.
During the playoffs, Lively has made his presence felt.
On the court
- Offensive Rating: 118.23
- Defensive Rating: 102.72
- Net Rating: 15.52
Off the court
- Offensive Rating: 113.36
- Defensive Rating: 118.96
- Net Rating: -5.60
“It was amazing to see. +26 in a playoff game is insane, and he’s been doing
this being a rookie. He has unbelievable potential. I’m just glad the Mavs drafted him.” Luka Dončić stated after the series clinching win against Thunder
Defensively, Lively’s presence in the paint alone has created the necessary rim protection his team needs to alter shots and his teammates to be physically and lock down opposing scorers on the perimeter, holding down the back line of the defense.
Offensively, his passes have been really good in the short roll when Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving get doubled. That makes the Mavs hard to defend because you leave PJ Washington and Derrick Jones Jr open. Mainly used as a lob threat, Lively has the post moves and footwork to finish around the basket. Fellow rookie Chet Holmgren matched Lively’s length and made Lively work to finish at the rim in the beginning of the series, but the Mavs center was able to adjust during the series and finished tough shots at the basket.
Rebounding is one of Lively’s biggest strengths, he has great positioning and awareness when the basketball bounces off the rim. Fitting, that the word lively means full of energy.
As the Mavericks continue their quest for postseason supremacy, Lively’s impact can’t be ignored. As one of the building blocks for the future, Lively is making his mark in the present during this current playoff run. The Dallas Mavericks will face the winner of Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals. For the third consecutive series, the Mavs will start on the road.
Game 1 is Wednesday at 7:30 on TNT/trueTV.