Can we talk about Maxi?

[hakeemfaan]

My take on Maxi has not changed for the last 3 years even as many keep raving about his defensive prowess. He and Powell play with zero “force” inside to borrow a phrase from RC.  Both of them get pushed around inside and on the glass. Even worse, though both have the foot speed to keep up with defenders they just back pedal needlessly because they are so worried about committing fouls. 

Outside shooting and weak side defense is fine but teams sometimes get caught in the Mavs game plan and don’t realize that if you take the ball hard at Maxi or Dwight they just back pedal without any real resistance. GS realized it and that was it.   I wish some coach early on in their careers told them to just stand their ground and foul out than back pedal all the time. Both have the foot speed but something missing internally to stand their ground and offer resistance.