Dirk Nowitzki has never been known for his defense. Neither has 3-point specialist Peja Stojakovic. Or sixth man Jason Terry. Or 5-foot-something J.J. Barea. And Jason Kidd, who has been named to nine all-defensive teams, is 38 years old.
But none of that mattered against the Lakers.
Dallas’ defense held a Los Angeles team that averaged 101.5 points a game during the regular season to just 88.25 points a contest during the Mavericks’ second-round sweep.
A lot of credit has been given to offseason acquisition Tyson Chandler, who finished third in the league’s defensive player of the year voting and became just the second Mavericks player ever to be named to an all-defensive team.
But it’s more than just Chandler. The entire team bought into coach Rick Carlisle’s defensive principles. They covered the pick-and-roll, forced Kobe Bryant into tough shots and rebounded well against the Lakers’ big frontcourt.
After years of trying to outscore opponents, the Mavericks are winning with defense.
