Getting defensive

Mavericks starting to put some D back in Dallas

Mavericks guard Michael Finley couldn't help but crack a small smile. It was moments after his team's 114-87 victory last week over the Bulls, and somebody jokingly asked him if Dallas should now be talked about as one of the NBA's better defensive teams?

"No. We're still working on it," Finley said, well aware that his team's reputation as a defensive patsy isn't going to be erased so easily. "It's a gradual process. But we feel we're getting better each and every game."

It's early, but so far Finley and Co. have been living up to their preseason promise to put some D back in Big D. After eight games, the Mavs were yielding just 89.6 points per game, 10th in the NBA. They were holding teams to just 41.7 percent shooting, seventh in the league. Last year they ranked 28th (101.0) in points allowed and 19th in field goal percentage (45.2%).

True, their schedule has been softer than tissue paper. Neither the Grizzlies, Suns, Warriors, Raptors, Bulls, Pistons, Blazers nor Cavaliers rank among the league's offensive juggernauts. As Dallas coach Don Nelson admitted before the Pistons game, "We haven't played anybody yet."

Still, the Mavs have definitely shown a more determined effort on the defensive end. Shawn Bradley (11 rebounds and eight blocks against the Bulls) has given them a decent presence in the middle, helping absorb the loss of injured power forward Raef LaFrentz. Dirk Nowitzki (six steals against the Blazers) has been more active on rotations and more willing to put a body on his man in the post. Eduardo Najera has been a consistent defender and rebounder off the bench.

"I think we've shown improvement," Mavs point guard Steve Nash says. "But we're still not as consistent as we'll need to be later in the season. ... [Nelson] has made it a big emphasis."

From fines to signs, defense has been the credo for this year's Mavs. A sign in the practice gym at American Airlines Center reminds players that they allowed "115 layups or dunks" among Sacramento's 207 field goals in last year's five-game playoff series loss. Another sign reads, "Defense wins."

Nellie even began issuing fines for players who made defensive mistakes in training camp.

For the first 10 days of camp, Nelson worked the Mavericks entirely on defense. No offensive plays. Just rotations, communication and footwork.

"When you want to get to the next level, you've got to do those types of things," says veteran forward Walt Williams. "This team wasn't good enough defensively last year. We know we have to improve if we want to go to that next level."

Bradley, who spent most of last season in Nelson's doghouse, has been the biggest difference for the Mavs. His return to form not only has helped Dallas extend its defense, but it also seems to have thrown off its foes. Against the Bulls, Bradley managed to swat four shots by forward Donyell Marshall, suggesting Marshall either forgot about the 7-foot-6 giant or that Chicago's scouting report needs to be updated.

Bradley's outsized presence in the middle also has made Dallas' zone defense that much more effective. Nellie has used the zone a lot already this season, preventing foes from taking advantage of Dallas' lack of one-on-one defenders. Against weaker shooting teams like they've faced this season, the Mavs can just pack the middle and dare teams to try to shoot over them.

Nobody in the Dallas camp is ready yet to say they've solved their defensive issues. But after last week's victory over the Blazers, several players pointed to the 82-73 final score as evidence of a defensive improvement.

After all, last year they might have given up that many points in a single half.

Marty Burns covers pro basketball for CNNSI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.

 

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