TORONTO -- Dennis Smith Jr. has been through a lot in his rookie season.
He's taken lumps and watched the losses pile up. He's gained more faith in his surgically repaired left knee. He's learned how to deal with a long, grinding NBA season.
And he's figured out how to lead a team.
OK, maybe that's a stretch. When it comes to playing point guard, you never really finish the job of learning.
But at least he's started the process.
It took another step in the right direction earlier this week when Smith nailed a 3-pointer that was the biggest shot of the game in the Mavericks' win over New York.