My Thoughts

[MFFL]

The best way to defeat a "set" defense is with an inside-out low post game. You feed the ball to your best low post player (he'll be set up near the paint) and he will either attempt to score from in close or he will kick the ball out if the double team comes in.

Unfortunately the Mavs do this poorly. The Mavs depend on Nash or NVE to break down their defender and they drive to the basket. Then they shoot or kick the ball out. But if the defense is good, Nash and NVE have trouble breaking down their defender to begin their drive.

[dude1394]

<< but let's be honest..having nellie gone would only solve part of the problem... if he was still the gm, what are the chances that the mavs would actually make a move to bring in a defensive presence inside?

well, i guess we can't have everything >>



Murph you have to be consistent here. You and I have talked about perimeter defense, I just don't think you need a big slug inside, you need each guy to take their guy. In a lot of cases (see peja) the interior defense AGAIN was not the problem. Look at Sacto for example, their defensive specialis is not a big guy, but a perimeter guy.

Also if raef/dirk/bradley/finley would contest a lot more aggressively then you would have stronger interior defense. They just have to be willing to be tougher in there. I don't see why &quot;interior defense&quot; requires any more than mind-set and will. But perimeter defense seems like another story.

[Bookit]

You guys have some good thoughts about Nellie. I couldn’t understand why he took out all of his decent defenders against LA and couldn’t understand it last night. Sometimes I seriously question Nellie’s approach. He merely wants to keep up with opposing teams offensively without worrying too much about the defensive side of the ball. It’s the same old story. How about some defensive players on the court Nellie!

Here is an idea. How about crowding the guys on the perimeter and let Bradley earn his keep around the basket. Then, when the Kings inevitably miss some shots, get those rebounds and score on the fast break. Seems simple enough.

[Murphy3]

well, to be honest dude..i think the mavs can live with the perimeter defenders that they have..if only nellie will consistantly use them.
but i would like to see an interior defender added.

but neither will happen

[kg_veteran]

I would have been happy to see Keon Clark added in the offseason. He's at least athletic, a good shotblocker and rebounder, he focuses on defense, and he plays hard.

Instead, we wasted the entire summer pursuing the pipe dream of another shooter/scorer who never intended to come here...

[sturm und drang]

From the Star-Telegram:

&quot;It doesn't really say anything about where we are -- we're having a great year,&quot; Nelson said. &quot;I think it says more about who they are and where they are than us.&quot;

Is anyone else troubled by this remark? Does Nellie really think that game was solely a statement of how good the Kings are?

Surely this game reflected how good the Kings are. But I think it was equally insightful in exposing our flaws. It really disappoints me that Nellie is content to shrug this off as &quot;laying an egg&quot;, as being an aberration-- and, worse yet, simply saying that this shows how good they are.

This game showed how flawed his entire notion of coaching and team-building are. And, like all 12 step programs, admitting the problem is the first step to recovery...

[seelenjaeger]

so keon clark would have made any difference yesterday? how many of the first 6 treys that broke our neck would have been blocked by clark?

[southern_sweets]

Good God! I only saw the last 3 minutes (maybe that was a good thing). I've been reading through many of the posts from last night trying to figure out what happened. I think I know the problem. I didn't watch the game. That's what went wrong in L.A. and apparently now with the Kings. I will have to stop missing games. Sorry guys, it's all my fault. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

[kg_veteran]

<< so keon clark would have made any difference yesterday? how many of the first 6 treys that broke our neck would have been blocked by clark? >>



I certainly agree with you that we have to have perimeter defenders as well who actually understand the concept that it's harder for the opponent to shoot if the shot is CHALLENGED. Clark couldn't have stopped that, but our interior defense was pathetic, and I think Clark could do a much better job containing Webber than LaFrentz (or Dirk) did.

By the way, this is not just about one game. It's about the fact that Dallas would probably lose 4-1 again if they played the Kings in a 7 game series right now. They have serious changes to be made, and no one should think that the 31-6 record indicates otherwise.

[kg_veteran]

<< From the Star-Telegram:

&quot;It doesn't really say anything about where we are -- we're having a great year,&quot; Nelson said. &quot;I think it says more about who they are and where they are than us.&quot;

Is anyone else troubled by this remark? Does Nellie really think that game was solely a statement of how good the Kings are?

Surely this game reflected how good the Kings are. But I think it was equally insightful in exposing our flaws. It really disappoints me that Nellie is content to shrug this off as &quot;laying an egg&quot;, as being an aberration-- and, worse yet, simply saying that this shows how good they are.

This game showed how flawed his entire notion of coaching and team-building are. And, like all 12 step programs, admitting the problem is the first step to recovery... >>



I'm not troubled as much as I am deflated by it. I expect it out of Nellie, because he refuses to admit that he's trying to use the wrong formula to win a title, but it's still painful to hear.

Hopefully Cuban is paying attention...

[COOLJAZZ]

Nelson is fast becoming the Mack Brown of the NBA.

Great at getting the TALENT. But never ready to play the big game!

This loss was double bad. 1. We Lost. 2. We never made ourselves look respectible.

[David]

<<

<< good post kg and bayliss. I'm not sure what to do about things this year. >>



Me either. David or TwoDeep3 will show up any minute now and tell me how ungrateful I am to Nellie for getting the team to 31-6, and how I'm overreacting. Unfortunately, I don't think I am. 60+ wins might get us the No. 1 seed, but this team isn't getting out of the second round unless some things change. >>



I'll make my own posts, thank you.

[David]

<<

<< Because Nellie is a moron. >>



Thank you. Those 5 words sums up 90% of the Mavs problems in big games. >>



So, you put it all off on Nelson's lack of intelligence? Nelson can't win the big games. Neither could Tom Landry.

[David]

<<

<< Will we have the #1 seed? The Kings are only 4 games back and they are starting to get healthy. >>



Don't know. My focus is only on winning the division, and on praying that Nelson either 1)has an epiphany and learns how to coach playoff basketball, or 2) lets Donnie coach the team in the playoffs. >>



I'm with you, I think that, even though Donnie has never coached more than a handfull of NBA games as a headcoach, and Don has been coach of the year in the NBA three times, and has lead this defensive challenged team to a 31-6 record, that Donnie is the answer for the Mavs. I think Donnie will tell the team to play defense and put their hand in the face of the other team's shooters and suddenly, everything will be completely different. I wonder why Don never thought to tell the team to put their hands in the face of the other team's shooters.

[David]

<< but let's be honest..having nellie gone would only solve part of the problem... if he was still the gm, what are the chances that the mavs would actually make a move to bring in a defensive presence inside?

well, i guess we can't have everything >>



You're right. Not only can Nelson not coach defense, it offends him to have defensive players on his own team, whether he is coaching the team or general managing the team. I wonder why Nelson allowed someone to put that banner up in the gym about all the dunks and layups the Kings made in last years playoffs?

[David]

<<

<< I can understand were David and Twodeep are coming from if they were to see things a different way. This is what a coach is for. WHen you lose games like this a coach is suppose to improve these things for the next game or the next time we meet this team. I don't see how we can blame Nellie for this loss. >>



Blame to Nellie for a bad philosophy. If you don't have players who can do the job, then it is the responsibility of the GM/coach to get the players. Who are our impact defenders? Not decent defenders, IMPACT! We don't have any. So just how much are we supposed to improve? >>



Who are the best players on the team? My guess is, Fin, Dirk and Nash. Are any of these guys good defensive players? The options are, trade these guys or teach them to play defense. Or get great defensive players and teach them to play offense. Which do you prefer?

[Bayliss]

<< Who are the best players on the team? My guess is, Fin, Dirk and Nash. Are any of these guys good defensive players? The options are, trade these guys or teach them to play defense. Or get great defensive players and teach them to play offense. Which do you prefer? >>



Or here's a wacky idea, David:

play the 3 best players at their natural position. Instead of having Dirk as a center for some of the game, Fin at small forward for most of the game, and Nash as the shooting guard for most of the game.

[MFFL]

<< I wonder why Nelson allowed someone to put that banner up in the gym about all the dunks and layups the Kings made in last years playoffs? >>



Because the guy who wanted the banner up also happens to sign Nellie's paycheck? Doesn't everyone have a boss who MAKES them do things they don't want to do? The banner went up because Cuban wanted in up and Nellie wanted a job.



<< So, you put it all off on Nelson's lack of intelligence? Nelson can't win the big games. >>



Name a big playoff game Nellie's won. How many NBA Finals has he been to? How many championships has he won. I'll give you a hint - it's the same number as Donnie Nelson.

[dude1394]

<< You're right. Not only can Nelson not coach defense, it offends him to have defensive players on his own team, whether he is coaching the team or general managing the team. I wonder why Nelson allowed someone to put that banner up in the gym about all the dunks and layups the Kings made in last years playoffs? >>




David... I think you know that I'm not much of a knee-jerker. But I would like your opinion about why nellie pulled griffin out after only 2.5 minutes?? I DO happen to think that nellie may also be having some trouble trusting defense and not offensive focus. That one is truly puzzling me??

[David]

<<

<< You're right. Not only can Nelson not coach defense, it offends him to have defensive players on his own team, whether he is coaching the team or general managing the team. I wonder why Nelson allowed someone to put that banner up in the gym about all the dunks and layups the Kings made in last years playoffs? >>




David... I think you know that I'm not much of a knee-jerker. But I would like your opinion about why nellie pulled griffin out after only 2.5 minutes?? I DO happen to think that nellie may also be having some trouble trusting defense and not offensive focus. That one is truly puzzling me?? >>



Wasn't that the point, early in the game, when the Mavs had ONE point and were already behind by TEN? Perhaps, and this is just a guess, Nelson wanted someone to SCORE some points. It was already evident that no one was stopping the Kings from scoring. There are two choices. Score more or defend better.

Nelson may have wanted a little more size, although Walt is not much taller than Griff. Sac had Vlade, CWebb and Peja in the game. That's 7',6'10&quot; and 6'10&quot; across the front line. The Mavs had Bradley, Dirk and Griff. The biggest mismatch was Griff, size-wise, plus with Walt, you get a more consistant 3 point shooter. No one was hitting their shots for the Mavs and Raef subs for Bradley and none of the Big Three would have been pulled at that point.

[David]

<<

<< Who are the best players on the team? My guess is, Fin, Dirk and Nash. Are any of these guys good defensive players? The options are, trade these guys or teach them to play defense. Or get great defensive players and teach them to play offense. Which do you prefer? >>



Or here's a wacky idea, David:

play the 3 best players at their natural position. Instead of having Dirk as a center for some of the game, Fin at small forward for most of the game, and Nash as the shooting guard for most of the game. >>



That's a good idea. Let the other team know EXACTLY what you are doing at all times. Make the Mavs as easy to prepare for as possible. Don't take advantage of your players versatility. Don't move Nash to SG and Fin to SF so NVE can play PG, thus playing your five best BASKETBALL players at the same time. I believe we need to get hung up on labels. So-n-so is a center and ONLY a center. Someone else is a SF and not a SG although those players are sometimes the same exact size.

[David]

<<

<< I wonder why Nelson allowed someone to put that banner up in the gym about all the dunks and layups the Kings made in last years playoffs? >>



Because the guy who wanted the banner up also happens to sign Nellie's paycheck? Doesn't everyone have a boss who MAKES them do things they don't want to do? The banner went up because Cuban wanted in up and Nellie wanted a job.



<< So, you put it all off on Nelson's lack of intelligence? Nelson can't win the big games. >>



Name a big playoff game Nellie's won. How many NBA Finals has he been to? How many championships has he won. I'll give you a hint - it's the same number as Donnie Nelson. >>



So what's your point? Has Nelson had the PLAYERS to play in the championship? Has Donnie coached in A playoff game? Did Nelson win NBA coach of the year three times in his career, all while never coaching a minute of defense? Do you realize how amazing a coach Nelson must be to coach a team to a 31-6 record while coaching NO defense? If the light should go on in his head, at 62-63 years old, and he says to himself, &quot;you mean, in the NBA, you can, also, try and prevent the other team from scoring?&quot;, what a wonderful moment that will be.

[Chiwas]

<< That's a good idea. Let the other team know EXACTLY what you are doing at all times. Make the Mavs as easy to prepare for as possible. Don't take advantage of your players versatility. Don't move Nash to SG and Fin to SF so NVE can play PG, thus playing your five best BASKETBALL players at the same time. I believe we need to get hung up on labels. So-n-so is a center and ONLY a center. Someone else is a SF and not a SG although those players are sometimes the same exact size. >>

Don't we know exactly how kings, spurs and lakers are doing at all times? Isn't it time to change to a conventional rotation as commented by some members in the other thread? Isn't it time to let players mature in a solid rotation? Just thoughts, David.

[dude1394]

<<
Wasn't that the point, early in the game, when the Mavs had ONE point and were already behind by TEN? Perhaps, and this is just a guess, Nelson wanted someone to SCORE some points. It was already evident that no one was stopping the Kings from scoring. There are two choices. Score more or defend better.

Nelson may have wanted a little more size, although Walt is not much taller than Griff. Sac had Vlade, CWebb and Peja in the game. That's 7',6'10&quot; and 6'10&quot; across the front line. The Mavs had Bradley, Dirk and Griff. The biggest mismatch was Griff, size-wise, plus with Walt, you get a more consistant 3 point shooter. No one was hitting their shots for the Mavs and Raef subs for Bradley and none of the Big Three would have been pulled at that point. >>



But it still sounds really weird:
1. He knew what the line-up was going to be going in. Why pull griffin after 2.5 minutes to get more size? Why not start walt if that was a concern?
2. He had nash/dirk/steve/bradley in there, how much more offense does he really expect?? I still don't get it, one missed shot and a yank??

[dude1394]

<<

<< That's a good idea. Let the other team know EXACTLY what you are doing at all times. Make the Mavs as easy to prepare for as possible. Don't take advantage of your players versatility. Don't move Nash to SG and Fin to SF so NVE can play PG, thus playing your five best BASKETBALL players at the same time. I believe we need to get hung up on labels. So-n-so is a center and ONLY a center. Someone else is a SF and not a SG although those players are sometimes the same exact size. >>

Don't we know exactly how kings, spurs and lakers are doing at all times? Isn't it time to change to a conventional rotation as commented by some members in the other thread? Isn't it time to let players mature in a solid rotation? Just thoughts, David. >>



I actually think that talkinga about &quot;major&quot; changes in personnel or philosophy is really counterproductive. Nibbling on the edges is really what I try to do. We do it the way we planned it and roll with it. See if it works and if so (so far it has..best record and all) great, if not, tweak it here/there. But a change in philosophy requires a lot of work and many times a regression. Long term versus short term benefits.

[Usually Lurkin]

<< There are two choices. Score more or defend better. >>


&lt;&lt;That's a good idea. Let the other team know EXACTLY what you are doing at all times. Make the Mavs as easy to prepare for as possible.&gt;&gt;

Everyone on earth knows that when given the choice, Nelson will go with the first of the two choices. He'll leave a cold shooter in there till he's 0 for 12 and when the team is down by 30 points, he'll put his second string shooters in. When Nelson's down, he is unlikely to try harder with defense.

[MavKikiNYC]

<< That's a good idea. Let the other team know EXACTLY what you are doing at all times. Make the Mavs as easy to prepare for as possible. Don't take advantage of your players versatility. Don't move Nash to SG and Fin to SF so NVE can play PG, thus playing your five best BASKETBALL players at the same time. I believe we need to get hung up on labels. So-n-so is a center and ONLY a center. Someone else is a SF and not a SG although those players are sometimes the same exact size. >>



Irony aside, it might not be a bad idea to let the Mavs players themselves have a clue of how they're going to be used in the game, have some sense of how they're going to be rotated in and out of the game, and how and when they're going to be called on to make a contribution to the game. Mavericks have some potentially talented role players, but they have to be given roles. Pigeonholing certainly isn't the issue--but combinations of players with complementary skills is. Five scorers and no defenders is not running with a good track record.




<< Has Nelson had the PLAYERS to play in the championship? >>



Well, yeah. He had good enough players with back in the late 70s with the Bucks (Moncrief, Buckner, Marques Johson, Bob Lanier), but never quite got them over the hump against Philly and Boston.

And he had some top talent on those Golden State teams, but never quite managed to assemble the right role players to complement them so they could more realistically contend for a championship.

Even with the NYKs, who had bruisers extraordinaire with Ewing/Oakley/Mason, Nellie tried to impose his philosophy on the team and have them play in a style that they weren't suited to. While you can say that in the long-term Nellie's approach might've kept the NYKs succesful and prevented them from sinking as low as they have, the fact is those players had been to the championship a season or two before, and significant core from that team went to the championship a couple of years later.

And now, with a Top 5 (Top 3?) power forward, a Top 5 point guard, and a Top 10 shooting guard, he has as much or more talent than he's ever had before, and more starter talent than almost any other NBA roster. The question then becomes whether, given the talent, his philosophy produces championship results. So far, not.

Will Nellie ever learn/decide to impose the playing talent that he has on the other team, instead of reacting to what the other team does with gimmicks and unorthodox approaches that win him accolades as an 'innovator','tactical genius', and 'stone-cold freakmeister'?



<< I actually think that talking about &quot;major&quot; changes in personnel or philosophy is really counterproductive. >>



I'm assuming you're referring to mid-season changes in philosophy or personnel, Dude, and I more or less agree with you here. But they started talking about emphasizing defense last summer, before training camp even, and I would like to see Nellie follow through with a commitment to winning with defense, and not dissipating into SmallBall/ScatterF*ck everytime they get into a tense situation.



<< Wasn't that the point, early in the game, when the Mavs had ONE point and were already behind by TEN? Perhaps, and this is just a guess, Nelson wanted someone to SCORE some points. >>



At that point, the Mavs had more than 3.5 quarters to get back into the game. Nellie could've sent a message to the team that they were going to get back into the game by playing defense or lose trying; or that they could try to shoot their way back into this thing or lose trying. He chose the latter and they lost trying, but the notable thing is that in a tough situation, he once again chose offense over defense. That's what has people questioning the sincerity of the much-publicized offseason philosophical 'conversion' toward emphasis on defense.

David, I can appreciate a dose of sarcasm and irony in an answer as well as anybody, but all I'm seeing in your posts here is sarcastic pooh-poohing of what anyone else has posted, or a &quot;Whatever-Nellie-did-must-be-right&quot; defense. What do YOU think is the best approach for this team to advance?

[dude1394]

I actually think that nellie as well as the team are learning their way. Nellie is closer now than ever. There is no way around it, he has the best situation he has ever has and thte expectations of cubes is unlike ANYTHING he has experienced even in his x number of years. I would bet that he has never had a team with as much potential and promise as this one. If the posters think so I would like them to trot it out, newsclips, ratings etc. And like everyone, when the going gets tough you fall into old habits. Happens on the golf course, happens in the board room, happens on a basketball team.

I have no issue with pointing this out, in fact I'm hoping that nellie reads some of this stuff, I know that cowlishaw does because you can see it in some of his articles.

All that being said it takes a lot of time and very hard work to change cultures and to make something new second-nature. The best thing about all of this is we have 3 more with sac/spurs and 2 more with the lakers. That's all before the playoffs.

The second best thing is that THIS year all of those teams (and everyone else) are taking us DEAD-SERIOUSLY because of the record. This is GOOD believe it or not as it will force the players as well as nellie to assimilate the lessons they are learning before the playoffs and not during it like last year.

But calling for nellie's head, shaking up the team, is extremely counter-productive and quite frankly... silly fan talk. Cubes would be an idiot if he heeded any of it now.

[USAPA]

<< the mavs MUST show the ability to run the offense in the half court.. >>



This is a good point. We all know that the real season is the playoffs. In the regular season, the Mavs can get away with their run and gun offense, with no mind to the shot clock because it's just one game. In a playoff matchup, teams drastically slow the temp down. The game becomes a half-court game. If a team has been playing run and gun all season and all of a sudden, they are forced to play a slow half-court game, they will get crippled. Fortunately for the Mavs, they have lots of firepower. They should get out of the first round but in the second round where the series becomes a 7-game series, teams are better, coaches can study tendencies and make adjustments on a per-game basis, it will be a different story. Don't be surprised if the Mavs bow out of the second round again. On top of it all, the Mavs defense is like water. Teams can score at will. The Mavs have a lot of work ahead despite of what their record would suggest.

[USAPA]

<< The second best thing is that THIS year all of those teams (and everyone else) are taking us DEAD-SERIOUSLY because of the record. This is GOOD believe it or not as it will force the players as well as nellie to assimilate the lessons they are learning before the playoffs and not during it like last year.

But calling for nellie's head, shaking up the team, is extremely counter-productive and quite frankly... silly fan talk. Cubes would be an idiot if he heeded any of it now. >>



I'd call Jeff Van Gundy, a coach with a defensive mentality. He'll turn the Mavs defensively around. Their firepower will take care of itself offensively!

As far as being taken seriously, that's not a good thing. In the past, teams didn't get up for the Mavs. Now, they will. Being taken seriously can have its drawbacks. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

[David]

<<

<<
Wasn't that the point, early in the game, when the Mavs had ONE point and were already behind by TEN? Perhaps, and this is just a guess, Nelson wanted someone to SCORE some points. It was already evident that no one was stopping the Kings from scoring. There are two choices. Score more or defend better.

Nelson may have wanted a little more size, although Walt is not much taller than Griff. Sac had Vlade, CWebb and Peja in the game. That's 7',6'10&quot; and 6'10&quot; across the front line. The Mavs had Bradley, Dirk and Griff. The biggest mismatch was Griff, size-wise, plus with Walt, you get a more consistant 3 point shooter. No one was hitting their shots for the Mavs and Raef subs for Bradley and none of the Big Three would have been pulled at that point. >>



But it still sounds really weird:
1. He knew what the line-up was going to be going in. Why pull griffin after 2.5 minutes to get more size? Why not start walt if that was a concern?
2. He had nash/dirk/steve/bradley in there, how much more offense does he really expect?? I still don't get it, one missed shot and a yank?? >>



It wasn't about Griff, it was the almost ZERO points and the quick 10 point deficit that Nelson was trying to head off. It didn't work. From what I saw, the Kings shot, mostly, uncontested shots and the Mavs shot, mostly, contested shots. I would have liked to have seen belly to belly defense, but I, mostly, saw token waves at the Kings shooters, if there was a Mav in the area. I was VERY disappointed in the defensive effort.

[David]

<< David, I can appreciate a dose of sarcasm and irony in an answer as well as anybody, but all I'm seeing in your posts here is sarcastic pooh-poohing of what anyone else has posted, or a &quot;Whatever-Nellie-did-must-be-right&quot; defense. What do YOU think is the best approach for this team to advance? >>



THIS year? What can be done? I want to see the team play defense, like they said they were going to do. Not just give lip service. Against the Kings, I saw the Kings wide open, checking the wind direction from behind the 3point line, before they shot 13 out of 20. The Kings outscored the Mavs by 24 points from the 3 point line alone!

I don't advocate trading any of the big three. The Mavs need a stud hoss inside player. So does everyone else. They would have to trade one of the big three, which I don't want to do. Dirk is the PF so getting a center would seem to be the thing to do. Would trading some of the others garner a center, if so, who is available? Good players are generally kept, not traded unless they are packaged with an undesireable. That's what Raef and NVE was supposed to be all about.

If the Mavs could bring in Askrabic this year, he would help, but not solve the center, toughness problem. Donnie needs to look overseas because I don't see one available over here. Center and man to man defense are the major shortcomings. Man to man defense at center, especially. A low post prescence on offense and defense, while I'm dreaming.

The Kings have put the Mavs on notice that they aren't good enough yet and it's defense that is the difference, not coaching. The Mavs have one of the top coaches in the league. Firing the coaches and making a major trade is not going to close the gap with the Kings THIS year. Playing defense to the best of their abilities would help.

[dude1394]

<<

<<

<<
Wasn't that the point, early in the game, when the Mavs had ONE point and were already behind by TEN? Perhaps, and this is just a guess, Nelson wanted someone to SCORE some points. It was already evident that no one was stopping the Kings from scoring. There are two choices. Score more or defend better.

Nelson may have wanted a little more size, although Walt is not much taller than Griff. Sac had Vlade, CWebb and Peja in the game. That's 7',6'10&quot; and 6'10&quot; across the front line. The Mavs had Bradley, Dirk and Griff. The biggest mismatch was Griff, size-wise, plus with Walt, you get a more consistant 3 point shooter. No one was hitting their shots for the Mavs and Raef subs for Bradley and none of the Big Three would have been pulled at that point. >>



But it still sounds really weird:
1. He knew what the line-up was going to be going in. Why pull griffin after 2.5 minutes to get more size? Why not start walt if that was a concern?
2. He had nash/dirk/steve/bradley in there, how much more offense does he really expect?? I still don't get it, one missed shot and a yank?? >>



It wasn't about Griff, it was the almost ZERO points and the quick 10 point deficit that Nelson was trying to head off. It didn't work. From what I saw, the Kings shot, mostly, uncontested shots and the Mavs shot, mostly, contested shots. I would have liked to have seen belly to belly defense, but I, mostly, saw token waves at the Kings shooters, if there was a Mav in the area. I was VERY disappointed in the defensive effort. >>



Ok.. I just re-looked at the first 8 minutes or so of the sac/mavs game. I saw:
- Quite a few open shots.. Griff, Bradley, Dirk... Saw mike take his first possesion right to the rack, steve took it to the rim and missed a lay-up, took another right to the rack and kicked out for a little 10 footer. Open shots...missed.

- The mavs actually played pretty good internal defense, especially when bradley was in. A problem they had was double-teaming down low and then getting beat on the cuts but that seemed to be when raef went in.. They also did NOT hustle back on defense, beat numerous times on breaks.

- Peja hit EVERYTHING..with/without a hand in his face. His first 3 was a full 3 feet BEHIND the 3pt line. Then he hit a floater with finley in his face. They only issue I really saw with the mavs defense was doubling down on webber (no need) and hustling back...

The kings did play very good ball-hawking defense and the mavs seemed to not be aware or it or talk to each other.

[dude1394]

<< If the Mavs could bring in Askrabic this year, he would help, but not solve the center, toughness problem. Donnie needs to look overseas because I don't see one available over here. Center and man to man defense are the major shortcomings. Man to man defense at center, especially. A low post prescence on offense and defense, while I'm dreaming.

The Kings have put the Mavs on notice that they aren't good enough yet and it's defense that is the difference, not coaching. The Mavs have one of the top coaches in the league. Firing the coaches and making a major trade is not going to close the gap with the Kings THIS year. Playing defense to the best of their abilities would help. >>



I was watching the center again and it looked like shawn was doing ok, but missed a couple of shots he usually makes as well as went for those durn vlade moves. I hope whoever the mavs big-man coach is studies vlade and tries to help shawn out. He was pretty effective actually. And in the first few minutes the mavs actually contested all inside shots and blocked quite a few. It was the outside shooting that killed 'em.

EDIT: Just re-looked and shawn only had 1 foul when he was taken out. While shawn was in vlade was 1-3, webber 1-3.. With a couple of missed inside shots. Pulling shawn with only 1 foul may have been questionable as well as griffin. Now nellie may have been a little panicky being down but the shots were there in my opinion. But this is all I'm going to say about that. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]