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HexNBA · 11-03-2004, 01:43 AM

Improved defense unveiled

Mavs have 11 steals, hold Sacramento to 41.3 percent shooting

12:27 AM CST on Wednesday, November 3, 2004

By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News

Athleticism and defense – two words virtually excluded from the Mavericks' vocabulary in recent years – were on full display in the season opener Tuesday night.

Whether it was the adrenaline of the first game or a sign that things really have changed, the Mavericks were faster, tougher and better defensively than the Sacramento Kings, a substantial change from the playoffs last year when the Kings ousted Dallas.

The Mavericks had 11 steals and limited the Kings to 41.3 percent shooting. The Mavs have made it their goal this season to hold opponents to 42 percent shooting for the season.

And they proved they can take a licking, too. Rookie Devin Harris hit the court hard at the end of the first half, courtesy of a tough defensive play by 7-footer Brad Miller. Harris came down hard on his back, but no foul was called because it came just after the halftime buzzer.

Tough all over: The Western Conference figures to be a swim through shark-infested waters for the Mavericks.

And some of the previously less-threatening meat-eaters might be growing up fast.

"Denver is the obvious team that's growing up real fast," Don Nelson said. "They could move up there with the big boys."

And with the addition of Steve Nash, Nelson believes Phoenix also could improve rapidly.

"They got a lot of good players," Nelson said. "And as [ Amare] Stoudemire matures, he'll be quite a factor."

As for where the Mavericks fit in, Nelson was less committal.

"I don't have a clue," he said. "Hopefully [we'll be] among them. But before you can be a big boy, you got to secure a playoff position."

Big disappointment: Greg Ostertag had hopes of being in a Mavericks uniform Tuesday night. Instead, he was in the visitors' locker room with the Kings.

The 7-2 center made it clear Dallas was his first choice for a free-agent destination.

"I was disappointed," he said. "They went a different route, which is the way this business works."

Said Kings center Brad Miller: "We got that big hillbilly to come in here and block some shots."

Hurts so good: Jason Terry was asked about what kind of pain he was in after having four wisdom teeth extracted last week.

"It doesn't hurt any worse than being in Atlanta right now," said the former Hawks guard.

Two-party system: Both the NBA and the Mavericks had to share some of the blame for the season starting on the night of the presidential election.

The NBA could have chosen to start on another night. But prodding from TNT and other issues prompted them to start Tuesday.

Every team also gets to submit days that they want to play on, as well as a number of days they don't want to play on. The Mavericks did not strike Tuesday from their list of available days.

Briefly: The Mavericks elected not to pick up the fourth-year option on Dan Dickau's contract, worth $1.6 million. Teams had to exercise that right by Oct. 31, and the Mavs let the deadline pass

11-03-2004, 01:43 AM	#1
HexNBA Golden Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Netherlands Posts: 1,355	DMN - Improved defense unveiled Improved defense unveiled Mavs have 11 steals, hold Sacramento to 41.3 percent shooting 12:27 AM CST on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News Athleticism and defense – two words virtually excluded from the Mavericks' vocabulary in recent years – were on full display in the season opener Tuesday night. Whether it was the adrenaline of the first game or a sign that things really have changed, the Mavericks were faster, tougher and better defensively than the Sacramento Kings, a substantial change from the playoffs last year when the Kings ousted Dallas. The Mavericks had 11 steals and limited the Kings to 41.3 percent shooting. The Mavs have made it their goal this season to hold opponents to 42 percent shooting for the season. And they proved they can take a licking, too. Rookie Devin Harris hit the court hard at the end of the first half, courtesy of a tough defensive play by 7-footer Brad Miller. Harris came down hard on his back, but no foul was called because it came just after the halftime buzzer. Tough all over: The Western Conference figures to be a swim through shark-infested waters for the Mavericks. And some of the previously less-threatening meat-eaters might be growing up fast. "Denver is the obvious team that's growing up real fast," Don Nelson said. "They could move up there with the big boys." And with the addition of Steve Nash, Nelson believes Phoenix also could improve rapidly. "They got a lot of good players," Nelson said. "And as [ Amare] Stoudemire matures, he'll be quite a factor." As for where the Mavericks fit in, Nelson was less committal. "I don't have a clue," he said. "Hopefully [we'll be] among them. But before you can be a big boy, you got to secure a playoff position." Big disappointment: Greg Ostertag had hopes of being in a Mavericks uniform Tuesday night. Instead, he was in the visitors' locker room with the Kings. The 7-2 center made it clear Dallas was his first choice for a free-agent destination. "I was disappointed," he said. "They went a different route, which is the way this business works." Said Kings center Brad Miller: "We got that big hillbilly to come in here and block some shots." Hurts so good: Jason Terry was asked about what kind of pain he was in after having four wisdom teeth extracted last week. "It doesn't hurt any worse than being in Atlanta right now," said the former Hawks guard. Two-party system: Both the NBA and the Mavericks had to share some of the blame for the season starting on the night of the presidential election. The NBA could have chosen to start on another night. But prodding from TNT and other issues prompted them to start Tuesday. Every team also gets to submit days that they want to play on, as well as a number of days they don't want to play on. The Mavericks did not strike Tuesday from their list of available days. Briefly: The Mavericks elected not to pick up the fourth-year option on Dan Dickau's contract, worth $1.6 million. Teams had to exercise that right by Oct. 31, and the Mavs let the deadline pass __________________ .