Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington has taken a major step forward this season in his development, and he has turned into one of the most important players on the team. This is shown by how much the team struggles with him out of the lineup, as they are 1-6 without him. No one can provide the same impact on both ends that he does at his position, and he continues to get better as time goes on.
In 28 games played, Washington is averaging 12.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 43.7 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from downtown, and his offseason training regimen to improve his jump shot has worked wonders for his game. He looks much more comfortable when letting it fly from downtown, and him being a legit threat from three has helped everyone around him.
While Washington's improved shooting and increased volume as a ball handler have stuck out when analyzing his game this season, his defense also remains strong. He is the best defender on the team, and his ability to do all of the little things makes him an indispensable piece for Dallas.
He is always the one bringing energy, diving on the floor for loose balls, and crashing the glass hard, and the numbers reflect that. Washington is averaging a career-high 7.4 rebounds per game this season, and his efforts in this area aren't going unnoticed.
Harper thinks Washington is a modern version of Rodman
Mavericks legend Derek Harper recently spoke about the underrated impact that Washington brings, even going as far as to compare him to a Chicago Bulls legend and five-time NBA Champion and Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman.
"He does a lot of different things," Harper said of Washington. "A better Dennis Rodman on the offensive end because he can rebound in traffic. Just has so much to his game."
Washington vowed to help fix Dallas' rebounding problems at the beginning of last month, and he has succeeded and done his part to the best of his ability. While his rebounding numbers have decreased some recently, he is still the glue guy for Dallas, just like Rodman was for the Bulls. When Washington is fully engaged and bringing effort on the glass, he makes a major impact in this way and is one of the strongest rebounders on the team.
While Washington's rebounding numbers aren't as elite as Rodman's, he still makes a similar impact by doing all of the little things that don't come up on the stat sheet and bringing tons of versatility. He is focused on doing whatever it takes to help his team win, and sometimes that involves mixing it up with the other team
Washington isn't afraid to stick up for his teammates when needed, as shown by him shoving Jusuf Nurkic during Dallas' scuffle with the Phoenix Suns which caused him to be suspended, and every team needs a guy like Washington. Rodman brought the same type of intensity, and every team that he played for had a different feel when he was on the floor.
Washington's recent scuffle with Nurkic is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to his tenacity, as his most remarkable moment as a Maverick was when he "stood on business" and stared down the LA Clippers bench in the playoffs last season. He isn't afraid of anyone, and his enforcer tendencies have helped give the entire team's culture and competitiveness. Dallas has been a different team ever since they traded for him last season, and they wouldn't be where they are today without him.
He is laying the framework to turn into a Mavs legend if his game continues to evolve, and if he can remain one of the most important players on the team while remaining with Dallas for years to come, we could see a No. 25 banner in the rafters at the American Airlines Center next to Harper's No. 12.
