Dallas Mavericks point guard Rodrigue Beaubois hoping for a breakthrough season – NBA Update
Rodrigue Beaubois has been one of, if not the most, unfortunate young talents in the league.
The point guard, who was selected as the 25th pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder and then traded to the Dallas Mavericks, in the 2009 draft has had a career so far, which has been marred by a troubled left foot injury.
Beaubois had one h**l of a rookie season.
Playing an average of only 12.5 minutes per game, the French star scored at a rate of 7.7 points – a performance not that significant. What was significant during the stint though was that he recorded a 40 point game and became
the first rookie in NBA history to shoot at least 50 percent from the floor, 40 percent from 3-point range and 80 percent from the free throw line.
However, it all fell apart in August 2010, when he was on the cusp of his second season with the Mavs. While training for his national side, Beaubois broke his left foot. He had a surgery, but the ailment did not heal properly
and in the last game of the 2010-11 regular season, the injury relapsed.
After he got some added time to rehabilitate due to the NBA lockout, it seems that Rodrigue is all set to make a comeback. He attended the team workout at the American Airlines centre on Monday and although he was unsure as to
whether he is 100 percent fit, he was certain that recovery is near;
"I started pushing it more two weeks ago," Beaubois said, "and I feel great right now."
Beaubois’ presence will be all the more important this season because last season’s reserve point guard is expected to leave in the free agency. Barea was offered a one year contract by the Mavs which he is certain to decline and
in his absence; Beaubois become the number one option to support the veteran Jason Kidd.
Kidd at 38 is one of the oldest players in the league and in a stuffed 66- game shortened season, expecting him to play major minutes will be a folly. Under these circumstances, among the present options, Beaubois is the only choice.
His country man Ian Mahinmi, who also plays for the Mavs is sure that Rodrigue will deliver to his potential this time around;
"Roddy can be, as guys like to tell him, the sky can be the limit," Mahinmi said. "He has all the tools to be a superstar in this league. I think for him it’s only a matter of time before he gets where everybody thinks he’s going
to be."
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