Mastering the End of Game Dynamics/Game 4

[dirkfansince1998]

I'm almost consider Luka the one to lose this game but it was different factors.

Rockets game we had about 4 players with 20+ points, tonight it was just 2 players (KP, Luka) with double digit scores, the rest were scoring single digits, mostly by relying on the 3pointer. Carlisle had this weird rotation of subbing out plenty of times in the first half (with Boban ,Cleveland, Burke and back and forth with the starters), but got away with that and stick with Luka and KP for way tooo long in the second half.

THJ has been for most of the season a 3D guy, but tonight just D. On 3PT's he was 0-8, almost a 1/3 of the teams missed threes were cause by THJ. He could of gone to his mid range shot or go to the basket. But he got too comfy sitting outside the 3pointer.

Next game adjustment, expect Carlisle to find THJ and make his shots early in the game.

Neither THJ or DFS played any kind of useful defense tonight and I think that´s the biggest problem. The really good teams. Even undersized ones like the Rockets can step it up on defense when it matters most. Mavs are happily exchanging baskets and taking the lead with superior fire power but once the opponents increases the intensity and physicality they cannot match it.

I don't see a path to improving on both THJ and DFS this off-season. Tough wings are hard to come by. I'd settle for Favors as the DFS replacement (although he isn't a wing), but I'm still not sure how we obtain a high quality wing to replace THJ.

OPJ is my solution.

There is no single player that can solve the problems. Even adding multiple good defenders probably wouldn´t solve it. Hustle and energy aren´t related to skill. A defensive scheme goes beyond single player impact.
Right now the Mavs lack both. Getting badly outhustled and giving up crucial second chance points or losing possession because of it. Against the Rockets RW gets crucial offensive rebounds over a ball watching Luka and RoCo easily beats a sleeping Maxi for the tip with 3s left on the clock. Against the Suns 6`3 Ricky Rubio gets two offensive rebounds in a row in the clutch.

The Mavs have the worst transition defense in the league and the really bad  part is that even a succesful offensive possession can lead to a fastbreak on the other end because no one is getting back. How can a team that ranks 2nd in the league in points allowed of TOV rank dead last in allowed fastbreak points. Answer is easy.
Terrible coaching combined with zero effort. I already mentioned it in another topic but the loss of talent in the coaching staff has been a big problem. Casey was a defensive master mind.  His replacements in the last few years never came close. I would be really happy if the rumors around Mosleys departure are true. Mavs need a better defensive coordinator.

That´s the coaching part. Next thing is mentaliity. Watching the Mavs I never feel like the individual players take any pride in being a good defender or getting a stop. The entire team is going through the motions on defense. No one is willing to invest the extra 10% that are necessary for a team that wants to be a contender.
We do not have a leader or an identity on the defensive end. I watched a lot of basketball in the last few days and it is easy to see why teams like the Raptors, Celtics or even the Rockets can win games on the defensive end. They have leadership (Kyle Lowry, Marcus Smart, RoCo) and even their stars (including Harden who really improved on the defensive end) are willing to go all out on defense when it matters most.