Bickerstaff recalls Exum’s journey with the Cavaliers

Before Mavs guard Dante Exum spent the previous two seasons playing overseas, he spent the 2019-21 seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“We had Dante a couple years back, so we’ve been able to spend some time with him. You knew the talent was there,” Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff. “He just had a bit of a bumpy road as far as injuries were concerned back then. But I think you see now again, the confidence, his ability to attack the rim.”

In 24 games for the Cavs during the 2019-20 season that was cut short by injuries, Exum averaged 5.6 points and 2.3 rebounds in 16.8 minutes. In six games for the Cavs the next season Exum averaged 3.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in 19.3 minutes.

So far this season Exum is averaging nine points and 3.1 rebounds in 18.6 minutes.

“He’s shooting the ball when he’s open with confidence,” Bickerstaff said. “He’s offensive rebounding, he does a good job defensively using his length and using his hands.

“He’s providing a different type of spark to them on both ends of the floor. But it’s good to see him back and good to see him having success.”

And the Mavs are enjoying the fruits of Exum’s success. Especially with his ability to run the offense and live Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving a break in that department.

“We talked about that – being able to have three decision-makers, three playmakers out there,” coach Jason Kidd said. “His ability to shoot the three, play advantage basketball, to play with Luka. He’s comfortable.

“To see that, being able to run the offense, being able to decision-make when there is advantage basketball, when Luka is being double-team (is great). So, to be able to have another playmaker out there with Luka is big. And then when we get Ky back that’s another playmaker out there with those two.”

BRIEFLY: Forward Josh Green was back on the court for the first time since the 108-94 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Dec. 1. Green entered Wednesday’s game with 4:56 remaining in the opening quarter and finished with two points, three rebounds, five assists and two steals in 21 minutes . . . Guard Kyrie Irving (right heel contusion) and forward Maxi Kleber (right small toe dislocation) did not play Wednesday. When asked before the game if he has any kind of ballpark figure on when Irving will play again, coach Jason Kidd said: “No. The rehab is going well, so we’ll see.” . . . The 2008 Redeem Team, of which Jason Kidd was a member, has been nominated for the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. “I think it’s great when that team is recognized by the Hall of Fame,” Kidd said. “There’s quite a few players on that group. Also, to show dominance, to get back to playing the game the right way. Also, well-coached with coach Mike Krzyzewski. It’s been documented. Hopefully that group is recognized by the Hall Of Fame.” . . . The offense AND defense of Mavs guard Luka Doncic was the talk of the NBA after he scored 50 points, handed out 15 assists, collected four steals and blocked three shots during Monday’s 128-114 win over the Phoenix Suns. Kidd said: “I talked with some people about that the other day on Christmas about his defense. We didn’t talk about offense. We talked about his defense, and I think he has done a really good job of taking that challenge understanding that he is going to be sometimes called upon to be in the pick-and-roll. But I think he was excited about his blocked shots and his steals the other night on Christmas. And I think he’s done a really good job in isolation of being picked on and has gotten stops. He’s improved there, but I think the offense is out-shining his defense right now. But his defense is trending a little bit above average.”. . . Prior to Wednesday’s game, coach Jason Kidd talked about how rookie center Dereck Lively II has exceeded his expectations. “What I love about what D-Live has done is he’s very coachable and he responds right away,” Kidd said. “When we ask him to score the ball, he scores the ball. When we ask him to rebound the ball, he goes out there and gets the rebound that we ask him to get. I think he’s exceeded everyone’s expectations. As a 19-year old he’s playing at a very, very high level.” Before Wednesday, the Mavs were 17-7 with Lively in the lineup and 1-5 without him. “We miss him when he’s out of the lineup,” Kidd said. “We’re happy when he’s in the lineup. Again, he keeps it very simple. He works extremely hard. He puts in the work, he watches film, he wants to be great, so we’re all excited about what he’s doing. But if we knew this was going to happen, if the league knew this was going to happen, he might would have been the number three or four pick. Again, he fits what Luka and Kyrie (Irving) and what we need – a center whose active and has good hands.” The No. 12 overall pick in this past summer’s NBA Draft, Lively scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and was 8-of-9 from the field during Monday’s 128-114 win over Phoenix. “His ability to score, his ability to play-make, his ability to rebound, those are things that when he’s out of the lineup we don’t have,” Kidd said. “So, we do miss him in a big way. For him to come back from his sprained ankle was a great Christmas gift (on Monday). But it just also shows when he’s out we do miss him, and then when he’s in he has showcased his talents at a very high level.”. . . Kidd said his recent move to bring Grant Williams off the bench against Phoenix and put Tim Hardaway Jr. in the starting lineup was just to look at something different. “One, looking at Grant coming off the bench as we move forward here to give us a little bit stronger bench and physicality,” Kidd said. “And then looking at keeping Tim in that role until we get healthy. Tim has done everything from coming off the bench to starting now. So, give him credit.”

X: @DwainPrice