The Mavericks are fun to watch. But they’re also frustrating to support.
For all the good their offense does, it’s often negated by one of the NBA’s worst defenses.
I remember head coach Rick Carlisle’s warning during training camp: “If we don’t make a commitment to defense and rebounding, and if we don’t become a good defensive team, the rest of it will be a waste of our time.”
Welcome to last night’s home loss to the Spurs.
The Mavericks scratched their way back from a 15-point deficit, only to have the Spurs score on eight of their last nine possessions to seal the 116-107 win.
When the Mavs won their championship in 2011 they allowed 96 points per game.
This season? 103, better than only three teams. And the combined record of those three – Lakers, Kings and Sixers – is a predictable 29-45.
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I realize that Brandan Wright was out sick and Samuel Dalembert was under the weather. And I’m aware that watching Dirk Nowitzki regain his All-Star form and seeing Monta Ellis’ athletic drives to the hoop are entertaining.
But if the Mavericks don’t get better on defense, the Mavericks won’t ultimately get better.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently writes a sports/guy stuff blog at DFWSportatorium.com and lives in McKinney with his fiancee, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
