The Dallas Mavericks have made a huge comeback and have risen significantly in the standings. They were in danger of having to go through the play-in tournament to have a chance at the playoffs, but they now hold the No. 5 seed and could compete for the No. 4 seed.
Behind Dallas' rise was a much-improved defense that helped the team go 11-1 before falling to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. In their most recent loss, they were still able to hold their opponents to just 104 points, but were completely defeated by a lackluster attack.
Still, the Mavs have fielded a top-ranked defense over the past dozen games, and Luka Doncic has seen his players become more aggressive and communicative on that end of the floor, which is shocking. I believe this is the reason for the defense's revival. It's worth noting that other factors have also contributed to Dallas' rise, such as midseason changes forced by the league.
In mid-March, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the NBA released a memo to all organizations to increase officiating's emphasis on offensive players who hunt fouls, and that this could be announced league-wide at an early stage. It is believed that this was the trigger that prompted the explosion in scoring. in the 2023-24 campaign. Essentially, this change now rewards players who practice clean defense.
It also influenced the Mavs. Manager Jason Kidd acknowledged that while the shift in refereeing focus has strengthened the team's defense, it has also made life tougher for Doncic offensively.
Fortunately, the five-time All-Star has no qualms about that. In an interview with The Athletic's Sam Amick (subscription required), he acknowledged the change, saying, “It's definitely gotten harder. They've allowed more contact, but we can play defense, so… I like that.”
The fact that the Slovenian superstar is willing to take a hit on offense if it increases Dallas' chances of winning should be music to the ears of the Mavs and their fans. He's finally starting to get the recognition he deserves, and this latest development is sure to attract even more fans.
We've always heard the phrase “defense wins championships” so often that it may already feel like a broken record. However, over the past 20 years, only a few teams have been able to win a championship without a top-10 defense in the regular season. However, the Denver Nuggets accomplished that feat last season.
Doncic likely recognizes that the team needs to continue improving on that end of the floor to become a legitimate contender. So far, the Mavs seem to have a fresh start defensively, with four-time All-NBA First Team selection Kyrie Irving looking his usual brilliant self, even if the former has had to adapt. It was very nice to see that. Change of host.
Some analysts already believe Dallas is a legitimate threat to beat elite contenders in the playoffs, and it wouldn't be surprising to see the team advance all the way thanks to Doncic and a rejuvenated defense. Sho.
Stay tuned to learn more about Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.
