National Basketball Association

Dallas Mavericks: Could This Be A Career Year For Acy?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Dallas Mavericks are looking at a different roster with new names and new abilities for the coming season. One of those new names who looks to really make himself known is Baylor alum, Quincy Acy.

In the Dallas Mavericks recent history, some of the most loved players in Dallas have been considered the emotional leaders of the team. This player has been a major role player at times or just an occasional contributor on occasion but, no matter what his role, this guy always brought everything when he was on the court.

During the championship run in 2011, the Mavs were energetic and tenacious in large part due to the presence and vocal leadership of center, Tyson Chandler. Chandler had a few great years in the NBA before coming to Dallas but really seemed to settle into his natural role once here.

Chandler was great with Chris Paul in New Orleans and even when he went to the Knicks after Dallas, but he was nowhere near as effective in those other places as he was in Dallas.

Another name that comes to mind as an emotional leader for the Mavericks is just from this past season. Zaza Pachulia may not be the most physically gifted player in the league, but he knew how to bring everything he had in the tank on to the court every single night.

Oct 3, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Quincy Acy (4) argues a call after being knocked to the floor during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Hornets 95-88. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Pachulia had carved out a nice role as backup center in Milwaukee before coming to Dallas, but those days quickly fell behind him. Not only did Zaza have a career year in all major statistics, he also nearly made the starting lineup for the 2016 NBA All-Star game.

Sure you can argue that the voting system for the All-Star game is slightly skewed, but no player as little known as Pachulia has ever made that big of a jump in the voting from year to year. That has to be due to his major jump in play at least partially.

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Other names we could mention are DeShawn Stevenson, J.J. Barea, or even DeJuan Blair, but I think you are starting to get the idea that players who play with fire and give it their all have been able to find a great place here in Dallas and with Coach Carlisle.

This season, Carlisle is going to get another player that fits that same build he has been so good with. Quincy Acy not only brings a fire and passion to the game, he is also not afraid to vocalize it, in general and to his teammates.

Acy was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2012 draft out of Baylor University where he was just as much of an emotional leader and player as he has been in the NBA. Despite struggling to find a consistent role with any of his previous teams, Acy is still a relatively known name across the league.

Now, after 4 seasons in the NBA, I believe Quincy Acy is poised for a breakout season. He has found himself in a good situation with the Mavs who have a guaranteed future Hall of Fame power forward to teach him the ways and mentor him as well. That on top of the fact that the backup spot behind the aging Dirk Nowitzki is up for grabs, I think we will be seeing a lot of Acy this season.

Acy has career averages of 4.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 0.4 blocks per game with an average of just over 15 minutes per game as well. We should be ready to see all of those numbers increase as the freedom that Coach Carlisle offers to his players on the court has helped many players in the past.

I really do believe we are about to see a great season from Quincy Acy and an improvement across the board for him statistically. Be it the leadership of Rick Carlisle, the guidance of Dirk Nowitzki, or the freed up spot for backup power forward minutes, Acy is ready to seize the opportunity granted him by the Dallas Mavericks.

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