The 'Why's' Of Dallas' Defensive Deficiency

     I appreciate David Moore’s revealing DMNews article noting the Mavs’ defensive deficiencies. I appreciate Fish’s two cents about how Devean George, who was very vocal in the article, might want to do something about the problem when he’s in front of Kobe instead of just when he’s in front of a microphone.

   But I contend that there’s a slight hole in the article. And I contend that there is a more-than-slight hole in the defense.

   And I contend that I can identify those.

   "We're yelling out stuff and coaches are yelling out stuff more than the guys out there," George said.

"We just don't talk like we used to. We used to be loud on defense. It was, 'Hey, you got him. Push him out. You're by yourself.' Now, some guys don't know if the pick is coming, if it's isolation or if they're supposed to guard the guy one-on-one.

"I don't know what happened. It almost seems like we're just five players out there on defense. We're a tight group. We talk and joke in the locker room, on the plane and the buses. We all get along. But we get out there on the floor and it’s like, 'Who is the man next to me on defense?' "

  Second, to David Moore’s story (and I note this as a respectful observer of his terrific coverage of the NBA): Those quotes are eye-opening. But his article never quite got around to asking for or identifying the “why.’’ If something is missing, it’s not enough to know “what’’ the something is. We need (or want) to know “why’’ it is. I’m dying to hear from other players "why’’ they think “the communication from previous years is gone." (Maybe David Moore will follow up. Or maybe some enterprising young journalist will handle the insightful follow-up. Fish?)
   Short of that, thanks to my humble playing experience, I bet I can pinpoint some very possible “why’s’’:
   *In my experience, you talk when you KNOW what to do, know where everyone is supposed to be, know what needs to be communicated, and know where the tendencies and the holes are.
    *The lack of talk could indicate some degree of confusion, or lack of familiarity, with the schemes being used. I may know MY assignment (or think i do, at least) but if I am not sure enough of everyone else’s assignments, I don't want to call out the WRONG thing.
   *At times, this sort of void also can indicate that I am so intent on figuring out my own INDIVIDUAL assignment that I am not “thinking a step ahead’’ and integrating with the rest of the team.

    What are the Mavs defensively? They are ranked 14th in defensive efficiency -- the height of mediocrity.

    If this is a lack of team quickness or team intellect, that’s on management for assembling players who can’t play or think. If this is a lack of team understanding, that’s on the coaches for failing to teach. If this is a lack of effort. … well, Mavs owner Mark Cuban addressed that a week ago and we all know that some sort of  “blow-it-up’’ possibility exists.

    All I know is that initial “what’’ … and one more “what’’: If you aren’t quick or smart or well-taught or giving effort, you get bounced pretty quickly from basketball in April. That’s “what.’’

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735am mar 9 2009