On February 27, 2017, Dennis Smith Jr. was two days past his 30th collegiate basketball game, and he didn’t have another one until March 1.
On February 27, 2018, Smith Jr. is several hours past his 53rd NBA basketball game, and he has one day to rest ahead of defending the league’s reigning MVP, Russell Westbrook.
Life in the NBA is hard for a rookie point guard. They must master the offense, command the floor, and defend some of the game’s best and smartest players. It’s no wonder the rookie wall is so tough to avoid.