ROUNDBALL DAILY

Last Night in the NBA: Giannis Antetokounmpo goes off, Dennis Smith Jr. looks like the real deal


Giannis Antetokounmpo
. Oh dude—I’m sorry—I didn’t realize your mom was around. Sorry Mrs. Mandlebaum, I don’t normally talk like this! Sheesh.

The Greek Freak’s proper name is becoming like a swear word–after he dropped 37 points and 13 boards on the C’s in Boston in Milwaukee’s 108-100 season-opening win, you know the Celtics were muttering it under their breath. And you know you’d be insulted if someone said they just Giannis Antetokoumpo’d you.

Giannis looked every bit the part of No. 1 pick in your fantasy league, and potential MVP candidate. If he’s able to continue putting up incredible individual performances and the Bucks make a major leap in the standings, this could be the year of the Freak.

Dallas Mavericks rookie Dennis Smith Jr. lived up to the hype in his debut, putting up a double-double (16 points, 10 assists) and showing off his biocentric passing skills in the team’s 117-111 loss to the Hawks.

Smith caught a lob off a Nowitzki back-screen for a throwdown and his first two NBA points to start the game. He then hit a runner in the lane on the next possession, and found Dirk for three on the third.

He logged 30 minutes, and looked like an old pro out there. Smith’s game translates so well to the NBA–he’s got the quickness, the vision, and the athleticism to compete right away. We think he’ll be one of those guys who’s a better fit for the League than he is for the college game.

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