The Dallas Mavericks have made noise this offseason. The team started the summer by upgrading its roster through various signings and trades. Dallas then made a splash by completing a sign-and-trade for legendary sharpshooter Klay Thompson.
The party did not stop there, as the Mavs kicked off the Summer League, allowing them to evaluate different players. Players such as Olivier-Maxence Prosper, A.J. Lawson, and Brandon Williams stood out. However, the summer also benefited 7-foot-5 center Jamarion Sharp the most, as he recently signed a one-year deal with Dallas and he could have a chance at making the roster with a strong performance during training camp.
Then the Olympics arrived and Mavs fans continued to get a taste of even more basketball. Players like Dante Exum and Dwight Powell represented their countries. Powell suited up for Canada while Exum played for Australia.
Yet, Powell’s run did not stop there. It was reported that the Mavs’ center broke a world record, as he became the Olympics’ all-time leader in field goal percentage. Powell exceeded expectations for Canada by shooting 90 percent, missing just one of his 10 attempts. He did an excellent job scoring inside, looking comfortable down low.
His only miss came in a group competition in Canada’s game against Australia. Powell averaged 6.5 points per game in the Olympics and tallied 5.8 rebounds per game. Powell had a tremendous performance against Spain last week, as he scored nine points and shot 100 percent from the field.
Powell’s record shooting hadn’t been touched in 36 years. The previous player to hold the record was Spain player Andres Jimenez, who shot 73.9 percent. Other players like Dwyane Wade, who converted 67.1 percent of his attempts in 2008, and Charles Barkley, who shot 71.1 percent in 1992 come close to Jimenez’s record. This puts Powell in company with some of the best players to compete in the world.
His performance for Canada in the Olympics demonstrates his ability to step up when called upon. Powell is a reliable center who can make his presence known in diverse ways. He won’t score high-quality points but can do the little things to help a team.
Last season with Dallas, Powell averaged 3.3 points per game, while shooting 67.9 percent from the field. He averaged 13.3 minutes per game, a decrease from the previous eight seasons. He was the team’s third center option, as players like Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford became more productive options.
Powell needs to step up to avoid being traded this season. He is a great backup option who can provide valuable minutes to a contending team. Powell must showcase that his production from the Olympics can carry over to next season if he hopes to stay in Dallas.
Either way, Powell has inserted his name into the record books. This showcases how important he can be when playing at a high level. After a struggling season last year, his record performance could be the motivation needed to get back on track.
