Dereck Lively II has been doing great coming off the bench for the Dallas Mavericks this season. He’s only 20 but played a big part in their recent win against the OKC Thunder. He says his mom’s encouraging words helped him do well.
During the Mavericks’ training press conference, Dereck Lively shared his motivation against OKC. The Oklahoma players intentionally fouled Lively throughout the series to gain possession of the ball, expecting him to miss the shots. However, Lively consistently made the free throws.
“It wasn’t even a challenge from them. I heard my mom in my ear say, ‘If you miss it, you suck.’ So you got to be able to step up and make those easy shots,” Lively said.
Lively was raised by his mother, Kathy Drysdale, from the age of eight after his father passed away. Last month, his mother also succumbed to a long battle with cancer. Despite this irreplaceable loss, Lively continued to move forward and often paid tribute to his late mother.
His contributions to the team this season have been undeniable, and he was rewarded for his hard work on Monday.
Dereck Lively II Earns All-Rookie Second-Team Selection
Dereck Lively averaged 8.8 points this season in the 55 games he played. His impressive 74.7% shooting, along with 6.9 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and 1.1 assists, showcased his potential. On Monday, the NBA announced the All-Rookie first team and second team, with Lively being selected for the latter.
In the postseason, he maintained his performance with 8.3 points per game and 7 rebounds. He recorded a playoff-high 15 rebounds in the crucial elimination game against OKC.
Lively and the Mavericks are set to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals starting on Wednesday. Surely, Lively’s mother will continue to inspire him, looking down with pride.
