Yes, I know it was against the Golden State Warriors, who couldn’t field a proper defense if you allowed them to play an extra man at all times. But 40 points (on 15-22 shooting, including 9-11 from three-point range), 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, and only one measly turnover is tough to do against any NBA team. Scoring 21 points in one quarter — that is difficult to do against any NBA team. There are more heralded rookies in the league (Sacaramento’s Tyreke Evans, Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Milwaukee’s Brandon Jennings), and only one — Jennings — has scored more points than Rodrigue Beaubois did on Saturday night.
Yes, in some ways, the Dallas Morning News’ Eddie Sefko is right:
“And even the most diehard Roddy fans must remember that not every game is going to be like Saturday’s. When Beaubois doesn’t have his shot working and becomes a liability on defense, he deserves to sit — just like any other player.”
That’s true. But he also deserves to get back in the game after sitting, because the Mavericks don’t have any player like him, a sort of combination of Devin Harris’ speed and athleticism and Nick Van Exel’s gutsy shotmaking. No, he’s not as consistently good as either of those players. Yet. But it’s worth finding out how good he can be now. I enjoy J.J. Barea, but even I can post him up (standing next to him, I –at right around 6 feet — am at least two inches taller) and I could probably beat him on a pick and roll, bum wheel and all. Roddy gets your minutes, J.J. Sorry.
And while we’re here, suggest new nicknames in the comments. I’m still not sold on Roddy Buckets, or the other alternatives that have been brought up, like Air France and French Cuffs.
