GDT Mavs vs Clippers January 25th, 7:30 pm CST/ 8:30 pm EST - Page 12 - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

grndmstr_c · 01-25-2011, 11:37 PM

I don't think there's any question that the defense has slipped of late. But if you're trying to project how things will go from here, you certainly can't overlook the disruption caused by the injuries. The team certainly played some high-quality defense through the bulk of the second half tonight, and I don't believe it was nearly as bad as the score made it seem in the first half.

Looking ahead, I do think we'll probably see the Mavs finish the season as a weaker defensive team than they started out being (unless Haywood can keep up his play from tonight, of course). Thankfully, there are a number of reasons to think that they could end up being a clearly improved offensive squad.

LonghornDub · 01-25-2011, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grndmstr_c

I don't think there's any question that the defense has slipped of late. But if you're trying to project how things will go from here, you certainly can't overlook the disruption caused by the injuries. The team certainly played some high-quality defense through the bulk of the second half tonight, and I don't believe it was nearly as bad as the score made it seem in the first half.

Looking ahead, I do think we'll probably see the Mavs finish the season as a weaker defensive team than they started out being (unless Haywood can keep up his play from tonight, of course). Thankfully, there are a number of reasons to think that they could end up being a clearly improved offensive squad.

You can't overlook it, but I'm also not willing to assume that the deficiencies are based entirely on injuries. We've seen this song and dance too many times for me to think that. I was very reluctant to believe early in the year they were suddenly an elite defensive team, even with Chandler. I'm still reluctant to believe that.

All this being said, I'm much more concerned about the offense than the defense.

xrobx · 01-25-2011, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

I said there has been slippage, much like last year (when, notably, we didn't have any injuries like the ones you are now blaming).

..... but chandler wasn't even on the team last year. this isn't last year's team. i don't understand how you can make any conclusions based on what happened last year.

xrobx · 01-25-2011, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

All this being said, I'm much more concerned about the offense than the defense.

same.

tonight gave us a little hope on that end though. really going to be relying a lot on peja and roddy to make an instant impact, even though the realist in me fears they won't have a significant one

LonghornDub · 01-25-2011, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xrobx

..... but chandler wasn't even on the team last year. this isn't last year's team. i don't understand how you can make any conclusions based on what happened last year.

Read my next post. I don't buy that Chandler alone takes us from iffy defensive team to super-solid defensive team. I absolutely love the guy and I think he kicks the whole thing up a notch, absolutely, but I don't buy it. Haven't bought it all season.

particleman · 01-25-2011, 11:53 PM

I think all xrobx was trying to say is that it's unfair to compare last year's defensive collapse to this year's slip because this time it's been due in large part to injuries. No doubt the defense hasn't been as good lately, but there's a lot more reason to be optimistic about a rebound this time around.

j0Shi · 01-26-2011, 12:00 AM

As for Chandler and his defensive impact:

Points in the paint allowed
09/10: 41.6 (15th)
10/11: 40.0 (15th)

Thats why I think the overall defensive improvements were mainly based on team chemistry and mentality and he sets the tone there.

LonghornDub · 01-26-2011, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by particleman

I think all xrobx was trying to say is that it's unfair to compare last year's defensive collapse to this year's slip because this time it's been due in large part to injuries. No doubt the defense hasn't been as good lately, but there's a lot more reason to be optimistic about a rebound this time around.

I think it's fair to compare them, because we just don't know yet what will happen. What wouldn't be fair, I think, is to assume blindly that this will continue. I'm very hopeful that they can get the defense fixed, and I think they probably will.

But still, I don't trust this team to give consistent A+ defensive effort. I don't know if even Chandler himself can make it happen. Maybe he can. KG did. But I won't believe it until I see it.

dude1394 · 01-26-2011, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FINtastic

Where would our offense be tonight without...Tyson Chandler?

Kind of sad that we've reached that point.

Maybe but I am LOVING that they are actually giving chandler the ball down low. He is NOT Haywood and Dampier. He can put it on the ground and he's agile enough to make something. He really should get more attempts...

Necessity is showing him and RC that he can make a diff down there.

particleman · 01-26-2011, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

I think it's fair to compare them, because we just don't know yet what will happen. What wouldn't be fair, I think, is to assume blindly that this will continue. I'm very hopeful that they can get the defense fixed, and I think they probably will.

But still, I don't trust this team to give consistent A+ defensive effort. I don't know if even Chandler himself can make it happen. Maybe he can. KG did. But I won't believe it until I see it.

I doubt that they'll give a consistent A+ defensive effort like they did at the start of the season. But I feel confident they'll at least be able to give a consistent B+ effort, which would be a heckuva lot better than the second half of last season which seemed more like a C- effort.

LonghornDub · 01-26-2011, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by particleman

I doubt that they'll give a consistent A+ defensive effort like they did at the start of the season. But I feel confident they'll at least be able to give a consistent B+ effort, which would be a heckuva lot better than the second half of last season which seemed more like a C- effort.

If they can consistently give a B+ effort while developing a more efficient offense, I like their chances to make some playoff noise. Unless they really get some substantial scoring punch, though, I think it's going to take a constant A+ defensive performance for this team to compete for a title. And like you're alluding to, that's a whole lot to ask.

b_o_r · 01-26-2011, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by particleman

I think all xrobx was trying to say is that it's unfair to compare last year's defensive collapse to this year's slip because this time it's been due in large part to injuries. No doubt the defense hasn't been as good lately, but there's a lot more reason to be optimistic about a rebound this time around.

1. The defense began to slip several games before the both Dirk and Caron went down.

2. Last year's collapse could also be blamed on injuries and poor rebounding as well. At one point, Gooden was our starting Center and Eddie was our backup because Dampier was having heart and knee issues. And than their was a stretch where Eddie and Nowitzki were the centers when Dampier and Haywood were injured.