02-29-2020, 12:50 PM
Post-game notes from MMB After Dark
Kirk Henderson, normally something of a ranter after frustrating losses, sounded more resigned than angry in the post-game pod --
The team played terrible defense throughout. With all the injury concerns, the lack of depth is catching up with them at this point in the season.
The Mavs were able to score in the first quarter, but gave up all kinds of points in the paint. Their run in the third was enabled by the Heat bench coming in and moving away from their zone defense. A Dallas bench unit's surrender of all of the third-quarter gains in three minutes was inexcusable.
It is puzzling to consider what Rick's options are to "fix" what ails this group. Defense was always going to be their Achilles heel. They had no great 1 v 1 defenders out there -- Maxi is probably the best they have on offer. Wright is a sneaky offball defender but was roasted man to man. DFS was in over his head.
Carlisle played the starters long minutes, and there is not much further to stretch that avenue. There were only so many effective warm bodies available on the night. There doesn't seem to be much of a solution, other than trying to score even more. In that regard, the offense during the bench debacle was a reversion to the old days. Barea doing nothing but dribbling, driving the lane, shooting, or passing to a roller. Brunson wasn't available, but when he is, he is at least willing to run an offense, rather than trying to be a mini-Luka and do it all. Without the ability to stop anyone, the Mavs have to mix it up.
Another ho-hum performance against a better team. Some of the problems were inexcusable from a coaching perspective, although Rick had limited options against a very good Miami defense and was undoubtedly just as dismayed as we were.
Kirk Henderson, normally something of a ranter after frustrating losses, sounded more resigned than angry in the post-game pod --
The team played terrible defense throughout. With all the injury concerns, the lack of depth is catching up with them at this point in the season.
The Mavs were able to score in the first quarter, but gave up all kinds of points in the paint. Their run in the third was enabled by the Heat bench coming in and moving away from their zone defense. A Dallas bench unit's surrender of all of the third-quarter gains in three minutes was inexcusable.
It is puzzling to consider what Rick's options are to "fix" what ails this group. Defense was always going to be their Achilles heel. They had no great 1 v 1 defenders out there -- Maxi is probably the best they have on offer. Wright is a sneaky offball defender but was roasted man to man. DFS was in over his head.
Carlisle played the starters long minutes, and there is not much further to stretch that avenue. There were only so many effective warm bodies available on the night. There doesn't seem to be much of a solution, other than trying to score even more. In that regard, the offense during the bench debacle was a reversion to the old days. Barea doing nothing but dribbling, driving the lane, shooting, or passing to a roller. Brunson wasn't available, but when he is, he is at least willing to run an offense, rather than trying to be a mini-Luka and do it all. Without the ability to stop anyone, the Mavs have to mix it up.
Another ho-hum performance against a better team. Some of the problems were inexcusable from a coaching perspective, although Rick had limited options against a very good Miami defense and was undoubtedly just as dismayed as we were.