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Old 11-03-2004, 01:43 AM   #1
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Default 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
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Old 11-03-2004, 07:46 AM   #2
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Default RE:DMN - Improved defense unveiled

Why Eddie Sefko sucks.....He's talking about the Mavs defense but fails to mention their 8 blocks.
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Old 11-03-2004, 09:49 AM   #3
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Default RE:DMN - Improved defense unveiled

Quote:
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."
Why Nellie sucks.....He denegrates the team coming off a terrific performance.
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Old 11-03-2004, 09:51 AM   #4
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Default RE: DMN - Improved defense unveiled

I'm pretty sure thats a quote from before the game, I saw nothing but nice comments after the game.
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Old 11-03-2004, 10:09 AM   #5
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Default RE: DMN - Improved defense unveiled

Quote:
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.
heeheehee....It was sweet seeing those long jumpers fall in the second half from our two little points...and that defense was impressive
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Old 11-03-2004, 10:22 AM   #6
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Default RE:DMN - Improved defense unveiled

The league and the media are going to have to acknowledge the fact that Dallas now has D....respect is on its way
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Old 11-03-2004, 11:20 AM   #7
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Default RE:DMN - Improved defense unveiled

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Originally posted by: Dirkenstien
The league and the media are going to have to acknowledge the fact that Dallas now has D....respect is on its way

Or will they? From today's Sacbee (Martin McNeal column)

Quote:
The game, one of three NBA season openers, matched two of the recent past's highest-scoring teams, and they didn't disappoint. Accordingly, the game also featured two of the recent past's worst defensive squads, and each lived up to that billing, too.
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Old 11-03-2004, 11:55 AM   #8
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Default RE:DMN - Improved defense unveiled

Respect will probably come if improved defense is displayed for the entire regular season and the playoffs...
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Old 11-03-2004, 12:47 PM   #9
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Default RE:DMN - Improved defense unveiled

I don't think the Mavs will ever get their due from the Media even if they win the championship. This team is going to be improved in every way conceivable yet I saw predictions of 49 wins or less for them. This is a complete team with defense that will key the fast break and offense. I wouldn't be surprised if they average 105 ppg and only give up 97 for a differential around 8 ppg. This is a team full of two way versatile players instead of the 1 dimensional players from previous years. I am excited about this year, while last year I was sure they would be terrible.
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Old 11-03-2004, 01:53 PM   #10
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Default RE: DMN - Improved defense unveiled

The trouble is the Mavs need to invert the performance. Defensive intensity was high in the first quarter but it seemed to fall off as the players tired. Dirk was noticably worn. The fourth quarter needs to be the Mavs best quarter defensively. When that happens we'll start to see this team put the oposition away early.

All together this was a great performance to build upon.
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Old 11-03-2004, 05:24 PM   #11
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Default RE:DMN - Improved defense unveiled

If this game is an indication of what we'll see more of from our Mavs, then I am truly excited.

I was just watching in disbelief as I watched our Mavs block shots and out-dunk the opponent.

Moreover, I was expecting less than good team chemistry, but what this team's chemistry seems already to be better than last year's team at the end of a whole year.

Again if this game will be the norm, then we will be treated to a year where easy lay-ups for our opponents are more a rarity than a given.

Furthermore, we actually have the makings of an inside-outside game. This is a year of true promise for our Mavs.

Mavs fans be excited, be very excited.
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