Dallas Mavericks rookie Beaubois doesn't play like one
11:57 PM CDT on Friday, October 9, 2009
WASHINGTON – Going overboard on enthusiasm for NBA rookies is like a weekend hacker getting all fired up about a par on the first hole.
It's wise to wait and make sure there isn't a double-bogey or three lurking.
Still, when Roddy Beaubois steals the show like he did Friday night against Washington, it's hard to stay grounded. The 6-2 rookie was as good as anybody on the floor in the third quarter, including Gilbert Arenas. Beaubois had 11 points and three steals in the quarter. Arenas has 12 points, five assists and four turnovers.
And what did Beaubois have to say about playing against Arenas?
"He's another player I used to watch on TV."
That's going to happen a lot. But Beaubois didn't back down. He was aggressive and two of his three steals were off of Arenas.
"He was aggressive, but under control," coach Rick Carlisle said. "He did a very nice job while he was out there. He's got some things to learn defensively, but he had an impact.
"But you know how it is. When you're a rookie and you have a game like this, the next team is going to adjust to you and you're going to have to adjust to their adjustment. You aren't going to be a secret weapon anymore."
Maybe not. But for the 21-year-old from the French Caribbean, it's a nice first step.