The NBA isn’t exactly in a defense-heavy era, but the Dallas Mavericks are pushing those limits.
They are pushing it so far they will kick the tires on one of those old, slow pickup trucks that is better suited for the chop shop than driving Interstate 35. In fairness, the only car adequately equipped for Interstate 35 is the Batmobile.
During Kyrie Irving’s home debut as a Maverick on Monday night, ESPN NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Dallas native but very retired big man LaMarcus Aldridge is scheduled to work out with the Mavs on Tuesday.
That should tell you everything you need to know about the state of the Mavs, and specifically their defense.
If you watched the Mavs’ game against the Timberwolves on Monday, you will understand why the Mavs will look at Aldridge. Or why they may even call you for a tryout, too.
On Monday night TWolves center Rudy Gobert, whose offensive skills rival that of some squirrels, scored 21 points on 9-of-9 shooting. He averages 13 points this season.
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Early in the fourth quarter, as the Mavs offense finally generated consistent points, the PA man continually screamed, “DEFENSE!” The Mavs may have heard it, but they couldn’t do much about it.
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The Wolves relentlessly attacked the basket, because they could. And because there was no one at the rim to deter their desires. The Wolves shot 58 percent from the floor.
The Mavs defense ranks 10th in the NBA in points allowed. Not bad.
The Mavs defense ranks 26th in the NBA in opposing field goal percentage. Bad.
I asked Mavs coach Jason Kidd if his interior defense is a concern.
“No. We’re here to outscore people. People come to see the points, not 80-80. We’re here to score,” he said. “This is the new NBA. Interior defense, we’ll figure it out.”
Kidd hasn’t done a complete 180 on this attitude about defense; more like a 179. He recognizes what he has.
Kidd’s meal-ticket, Luka Doncic, was a bit more pragmatic.
“You’re not going to win championships only by offense,” Doncic said.