The Mavericks entered this season with uncertainty at the point guard position, but it appears Jason Kidd has found continuity with his new dynamic that offers the best of both worlds.
There’s stability and playmaking with Ryan Nembhard as the starter, while Brandon Williams offers speed and scoring off the bench.
Nembhard, the undrafted two-way guard, has improved the Mavericks’ offense since entering the starting lineup six games ago, offering a traditional playing style that prioritizes finding open teammates. Saturday’s win over the Houston Rockets was a shining example of what Williams brings to the table, a fast and shifty guard who has the ability to get downhill and score from all three levels.
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It took four changes to the starting point guard role to find success. The Mavericks began the season with the worst offensive rating in the NBA, but that number has improved as of late. Dallas ranks sixth in the league in offensive rating (119.9) over the last five games. Kidd gives his point guard duo credit for their part in the team’s improvement in that department.
“We have two great guards. Speed and solid,” Kidd said.
Kidd called Williams a “Ferrari,” a nickname for the luxury sportscar that built a reputation for being fast. Williams leads the Mavericks in average speed per game with 4.72 miles per hour. Williams smiled when he learned of Kidd’s new moniker for him, but appreciated the support from his coach, who became a Hall of Fame player at the position.
“It’s a big compliment,” Williams said. “He said I’m always faster than what I think I am. It’s kind of cool. Kind of fun to just go out and play free, use my speed as my advantage. It’s always kind of been like that.”
Williams started nine games for the Mavericks from Nov. 10 through Nov. 24, assuming the role from D’Angelo Russell. He averaged 13 points and 5.6 assists with 1.3 steals during that time, but struggled with his shot with a shooting clip of 19.4% from 3-point range. His 20-point outburst off the bench complemented Anthony Davis’ team-high 29 points and eight rebounds.
“I just want to contribute to winning, no matter what it looks like on a given night,” Williams said after his big night.
Those words were backed up when Williams was asked about Nembhard’s rise despite Kidd’s decision to swap their roles.
“Ryan’s nice. I ain’t gon’ lie,” Williams said. “He gets to the rim with ease. People kind of look at his size (at 5-11) and he uses his size to his advantage. He gets by people and he makes plays for others. Everybody on our team loves playing with him.”
While Williams provides instant offense off the bench, Nembhard sets the table with the first group. He is averaging 8.9 points and 4.8 assists with 1.2 turnovers overall, but he’s totaled 14.2 points and 6.8 assists with 1.3 turnovers in the last six games since he became the starting point guard.
One game after scoring a career-high 28 points to help the Mavericks defeat the Denver Nuggets last week, Nembhard dished out a career-high 13 assists to help his team defeat the Miami Heat. The Mavericks are 4-2 with Nembhard as the starting point guard.
“It’s been fun to get some wins with the guys,” Nembhard said after Monday’s practice. “We got a great group so it’s been fun to get our joy and just win some games.”
Kidd continued the car analogy when asked what kind of vehicle Nembhard represents on the floor.
“One of those electric cars,” Kidd said. “I don’t have a deal with any of them so I’m just going to say an electric car…We just plug him in and he goes.”
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