Inside Report: Hey, rookie!

Making the leap from the college ranks to the pro level is a jump that most NBA rookies struggle making in their first season.

Preparing for the grind of an 82-game season, the physicality of the pro game and the coast-to-coast travel that life in the Association brings is a rude awakening for first-year studs -- even for first-round draft picks.

Well aware of the rookie learning curve and the eventual "wall" that most budding stars may hit, including Dallas Mavericks first-rounder Dominique Jones, his coach Rick Carlisle and teammate Jason Terry have taken the talented young pro under their wings.

"Just trying to lead by example," Terry said of his relationship with the rookie. "This morning at 7 a.m., we're out running hills, doing defensive slides and doing some sprints and he was on time. He was there ready to work, and that's just something that you expect out of all rookies."

Jones has spent the past few weeks of the offseason training in Dallas, while also refining his game and transitioning into a professional under the supervision and tutelage of Carlisle and Terry.

"Dominique is in town...I got a chance to work with him a little bit," Carlisle said in a recent interview with Mavs.com. "He's lifting with JET (Terry) and they're going to shoot a little bit afterwards."

Jones, who led the Mavericks' summer league squad in scoring at 16.6 points per game, was named to the All-Tournament Team. But most of his scoring came on drives to the basket. Now, Carlisle says the rookie will have to develop his outside shooting in order to be effective in the league.

"He had a very productive summer for us. So right now, we're spending a lot of time working on his jump shot and extending his range. Of all the guys I've ever seen come into this league at the 2 guard position, he's as good as anybody I've ever seen at getting to the basket. But when he gets in the league this year, people are going to be playing off of him and he's gonna have to be able to knock down shots and knock down threes. And really, that's the part of his game that's gotta develop next," Carlisle said.

"Basically, just different mechanics in my shot," Jones said he is tweaking after Carlisle's advice. "You know, it's just small things and then I get lazy. So, you know, basically it's just repetition and building up my confidence that I am a great shooter. Because I feel like I am a good shooter, but I have to put the work in as well. So, that's what I'm doing."

While Carlisle is working with Jones on extending his shooting range and hoping to make the young combo guard less one-dimensional -- as a relentless penetrator and scorer at the rim -- Terry is helping his understudy prepare for the grueling conditioning needed for the upcoming season.

"Dominique is a tremendous asset to this team," Terry said. "He's a big, strong guard. He reminds me a lot of my buddy (Rodney) Stuckey over there in Detroit, with his strength and his ability to get to the basket.

"What we're working on now is just continuing to get him in better, better shape and then working on a more consistent jump shot. But other than that, he's a guy that Coach is gonna have to put him in there and see what he can do. He's a good player and we like what he brings to the table."

With Carlisle helping Jones perfect his game, alongside Terry who is whipping the rookie into basketball shape, the former South Florida standout wants to do much more than just make a quick impression at the end of this month in training camp. Jones also hopes the extra work this offseason leads to him being a key contributor to the team this season.

"I think that my drive is gonna open up my shot. You know, and I want to get to the point where my shot will open up my drive," Jones said as he prepares for the start of camp. "Everything else is just me, just what I do."

Stay connected with Dallas Mavericks inside reporter Earl K. Sneed by clicking "like" on his Facebook page or by following him on Twitter. Got a question for EKS? Send your question, along with your first name, last initial, city and state with the subject line "Ask EKS" to askeks@dallasmavs.com, and you could be published on Mavsfastbreak.com, the Mavericks' new official blog site.

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