Through eight games, the Dallas Mavericks' season couldn't have reached a lower point after losing 101-99 to the New Orleans Pelicans. Not only would the Mavericks continue to fail to find an identity on the offensive end of the ball, but after plenty of consideration, sharpshooter Klay Thompson was finally benched in place of D'Angelo Russell just moments before the opening tip-off.
To begin the season, Thompson has shot terribly from behind the 3-point line and the field, as he was shooting 31 percent from the field before playing the Pelicans. Not only was Thompson's abrupt cold streak coming at the worst time for the Mavericks, as they are in desperate need of a player who can space the floor, but only moments after being benched, Thompson would prove why he is still a valuable player in the NBA.