11-14-2023, 10:51 AM
(11-14-2023, 03:05 AM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: Overall the defensive numbers are just as good/bad as last season. 116.1 D-Rating last season (25th). 115.6 D-Rating this season (24th).
Perimeter defense still being one of the main issues. Mavs rank in the 27.6 percentille in isolation defense. 48.3 in pick and roll defense. 17.2 in transition defense.
Same for rebounding. 27th in DRR. 25th in ORR. The main difference compared to last season is that a good offense turned into an all time great (small sample size) offense. Current 122 O-Rating would be the best in league history (Pacers are even better right now 122.1).
As Kidd stated. The Mavs are comfortable playing games in the 120s. Not sure how that translates to a tougher schedule or playoff success but it seems like a D'Antoni plan. Half the defense. Double the offense.
The defense has not been great (except in clutch time, which is huge if it can be sustained) but there is reason to believe it will improve as the season goes. Lots of new parts. I could see this being an average defense by the end of the season while still being top 3 offense. That is a good team that can make a little noise in playoffs depending on matchup. The goal next offseason should be to do what it takes to inch this defense closer to top 10 while maintaining that offense.