Boban Marjanovic played his role perfectly for the Dallas Mavericks

Season in evaluate

There’s extra methods to contribute to a basketball crew than simply scoring. We hear that often. More often than not, it means crashing the glass, or locking down an opponents’ greatest scorer, or perhaps distributing the rock. However for Boban Marjanovic, it goes past something on the court docket.

Simply glancing at his stats, it might seem like a foul yr for the Serbian huge man. He appeared in solely 23 video games, a profession low. He additionally posted profession lows in factors, blocks, and rebounds. However Boban isn’t on the Dallas Mavericks solely for his basketball abilities. Not that they’re missing. It’s simply that he does a lot extra for the crew.

Marjanovic completed as runner-up for the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the 12 months award in 2021-22. The award the award acknowledges the participant deemed the most effective teammate primarily based on selfless play, on- and off-court management as a mentor and position mannequin to different NBA gamers, and dedication and dedication to crew. It’s simple to see why Marjanovic could be within the working.

“He’s an ideal instance of being a real professional,” Jason Kidd stated about Marjanovic. “He’s at all times ready when his title is named. He does all the additional work. He’s the final one to go away the gymnasium numerous occasions. His spirit is excessive.”

Marjanovic’s key contribution is crew chemist. He’s nice at preserving issues free on the bench, and ensuring everyone seems to be having a very good time. That may sound foolish, however the NBA season is an extended grind, each bodily and mentally. It helps to have somebody round who’s perpetually in a very good temper.

Boban is particularly shut with Luka Doncic. “He’s wonderful,” Doncic says. “You don’t meet these folks each day, you realize. He’ll show you how to any time. It’s simply nice to have him right here.”

Marjanovic doesn’t rating quite a bit, however he’s undoubtedly lifting the Mavericks in different methods. For those who assume that issues, then his season was a wild success.

Finest sport

Marjanovic’s greatest sport got here early within the season towards the San Antonio Spurs. He scored 17 factors on 8-of-10 taking pictures, whereas additionally grabbing 5 rebounds. He did flip the ball over 4 occasions and nearly fouled out. But it surely didn’t matter. He was a power inside on an evening when the Mavericks have been quick an enormous man in Maxi Kleber and helped them notch a win over the Spurs.

Contract standing

Marjanovic enters subsequent season on the ultimate yr of a two-year deal that pays $3.5 million.

Trying forward

You’ll be able to count on Boban to return to the same position subsequent yr until the Mavericks want to maneuver him in a commerce to make salaries work. Luka and the remainder of the Mavericks love him, and so does everybody else within the group. He’s not a lock to come back again, but when there’s a spot on the finish of the bench after all of the roster shuffling, you may guess everybody might be completely happy to see Boban sitting there.

Grade: A

Boban was introduced again to be an emergency huge man and veteran presence on the bench. He performed each roles completely, and likewise occurs to be near Luka. It’s necessary for the Mavericks to maintain Luka completely happy, so Boban on the bench issues.