Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jul 10
Morez Johnson Jr. Drops 27 in Mavericks Debut, Answering No. 9 Pick Doubts
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jul 10

Morez Johnson Jr. Drops 27 in Mavericks Debut, Answering No. 9 Pick Doubts

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jul 10

Summary

  • 27 points from Morez Johnson Jr. powered a standout Mavericks Summer League debut in Las Vegas, even as Dallas lost to Yaxel Lendeborg and the Warriors.
  • The No. 9 overall pick shot 12-for-17, added eight rebounds and three assists, and even tested the concern about his range by going 1-for-4 from 3-point distance.
  • Three steals and two blocks underscored the all-around impact Dallas hoped for when it drafted him higher than some expected, including ahead of Michigan teammates Lendeborg and Aday Mara.
  • The performance offers an early rebuttal to doubts about his fit in the modern NBA, where his perimeter skill had been a main question entering the draft.

Insights

After silencing critics, can Morez Johnson Jr. develop the modern game needed to justify his top-10 selection?
Was Johnson's debut a sign of his talent or the first payoff for Coach May's controversial draft influence?