Dallas Mavericks fans love J.J. Barea. The point guard and leader of the Mavs second unit lists at 6’0, but he is closer to the height of your average Joe than an NBA player. Barea also plays with a tenacity and fearlessness that endears him to fans. There are only a small number of things that make Mavericks supporters happier than watching J.J. pick apart a defense.
The 2018-2019 season was set up perfectly for Barea. He was reprising his role as the backup point guard and engine of the second unit. The Mavs added Luka Doncic and had signed enough free agent talent to have the team hopeful about returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.