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Dallas Mavericks show strides in defensive effort
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By J. Michael Falgoust
November 17, 2010
Memphis, TN — Defense usually seemed to be an afterthought with the Dallas Mavericks.
With prolific scorers such as Dirk Nowitzki (23.0 points per game) and Jason Terry (19.7), they have been among the NBA's elite in scoring.
This season, however, with new 7-1 center Tyson Chandler starting, the Mavericks have taken on a different identity.
"If we continue to get better defensively we'll be a team to be reckoned with. We already have all the offensive power in the world," Chandler says of the NBA's No. 23 scoring team.
"The fact that we're concentrating on defense and we're actually making an effort, it's actually (going to be) kind of great for us in the middle and late into the season."
The Mavs (7-2) are first in field goal percentage allowed (42.2%), fourth in points allowed (91.8), eighth in rebounding (43.3) and 11th in blocked shots (5.3). They have held opponents to less than 100 points in seven games.
"We're a veteran team. We're a group that's been a pretty consistent group in terms of what everybody brings," coach Rick Carlisle says. "I like the acquisition of Chandler. … We just go to find a way to win games."
Dallas can bring even more size off the bench with center Brendan Haywood, another 7-footer in his first full season with the team.
Neither center needs to score to be effective, and their presence allows the perimeter defenders to be more aggressive and put added pressure on the ball.
"The center combo is the best combo I've played with in my life in Dallas. They're both long and active, catching in the paint and finishing, have a presence defensively," Nowitzki says.
"I really like having them behind me on defense and clean up a lot of stuff for us. … "If they keep that activity up we should be in good shape."
Chandler, landed in a trade with the Charlotte Bobcats, is a significant upgrade from Erick Dampier. Chandler averages 8.0 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks, but his impact comes from his athleticism and ability to beat most opposing big men up the court.
That gives point guard Jason Kidd (10.0 assists per game, fourth in the NBA) an easy target on fast breaks and in the half-court pick-and-roll.
With Chandler, that usually means dunks. His energy can be contagious on the other end, too.
"It certainly helps but I wouldn't say he's the only reason. … We're emphasizing it," Carlisle says of the defensive improvement. "We're gearing some of our offensive game around putting ourselves in a better position to guard."
If Carlisle seems overly cautious, he has previously seen solid all-around play from his team. And it didn't last.
Late last season, after they acquired Haywood and Caron Butler from the Washington Wizards, the Mavs won 13 consecutive games and finished with 55 victories. But Dallas lost in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
"We've shown some improvement. The key is we have to sustain," Carlisle says. "Come talk to me at the end of November and we'll see where we're at."
• NBA News Archive Index:
2010, 2009
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