2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[ItsGoTime]

I don´t think it is as easy. 4 great individual defenders can still play horrible team defense with the wrong scheme. Multiple bad defenders can still play good defense with a good  scheme and/or a great defensive anchor.
Good example would be the Heat. Even without Butler or Adebayo. Running lineups with Robinson, Herro, Dragic and Olynyk. They played great defense.
Bad example would be the Clippers vs the Mavs in the playoffs. PG, Kawhi, PatBev, Morris. All good defenders but they never played as a unit and couldn´t stop the Mavs.

Personally I think that the Mavs still need a glue guy. A veteran player that calls out plays, switches and rotations and/or a great help defender that can cover a lot of ground.
Right now the Mavs have Richardson (good on ball defender), DFS (slightly above average on ball defender), Maxi (versatile onball defender, good help defender), KP (elite rim protector) as high minute players that can make an impact on defense. They don´t have a Smart, RoCo, Draymond, Gobert or even a vet like CP3 or Lowry.

I can see that. I agree that we don't have that veteran who will hold guys accountable on the court on D and that could change a lot. I have to say, RC has given lip service to defense but his player minutes still seem to be tied to their offense mostly, but it's only been 2 games so far, so I'm willing to give it more time than that.

I think the LaC as a team didn't want to be in the bubble and played accordingly, that's why they played so well during the season before covid and horrible after. I think pointing to that experience as proof of much is fools gold.