Mavs’ Beaubois hopes to take torch from Kidd

The day will come when Jason Kidd finally retires and the Dalllas Mavericks need a point guard.

Maybe Rodrigue Beaubois will follow Kidd, who is 37 years old and preparing for his 17th NBA season. Beaubois, who just finished his rookie year, is trying to learn the point at the NBA Summer League, and he's finding out it's no easy task.

"There are a lot of responsibilities," the 6-foot-2-inch Beaubois said. "There's a lot to remember. But I like the challenge, and I think I'll be able to do it."

Beaubois has been consistently inconsistent this week. One night, he turns over the ball six times. The next, he hits the game-winning shot or sets up a teammate with a great pass.

Beaubois is averaging 13.8 points, 3.3 assists and 4.8 turnovers through four games going into today's finale against Sacramento at Cox Pavilion. It's that last number that is most troublesome. He struggled so much in Thursday's 88-82 loss to Washington, with more turnovers (three) than points (zero), he sat the entire second half. A slightly sprained left ankle didn't help matters.

"I'm making mistakes," Beaubois said. "I'm turning the ball over too much. I'm a little frustrated because I know I can play better.

"Everyone wants to play good. But I'm trying to learn. I watch video and cut down on the turnovers."

The Mavericks don't need to rush Beaubois. They can live with his highs and lows, particularly since it's July in Las Vegas.

Still, they want him to become a confident leader, someone teammates can trust to run the offense and get everyone involved.

"Roddy's a bright player, and he knows what we're trying to do," Mavericks assistant coach Terry Stotts said. "He realizes this is a (long-term) process.

"He has all the physical tools. He knows the plays. He understands where everyone is on the floor. It's just a matter of him getting comfortable with the position."

Beaubois grew up in Guadeloupe, a French-ruled island off the northeastern coach of South America. He played professionally in France before Oklahoma City drafted him late in the first round in 2009 and traded his rights to Dallas on draft night.

He played sparingly as a rookie, averaging 12.5 minutes and 7.1 points off the bench.

But he's just 22, and Stotts said the Mavericks thought he was worth experimenting with at point guard this summer.

"That's what summer league is all about," Stotts said. "It's a time to try different things, and Roddy was willing to learn the point guard position.

"There may be a perception that he has struggled. But he has also grown a lot. We see progress with Roddy."

Beaubois said he remains confident he'll master the point and be ready to take over when Kidd retires.

"It's new for me," he said. "I never really played point guard (in France), so I didn't know what to expect.

"Last year, my job was to score. Now my job is to run the team. I just have to keep working at it."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.