Training Camp Report: Day 19 - Mavs regain defensive mentality
Training Camp Report: Day 19 - Mavs regain defensive mentality
DALLAS — There wasn’t much Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle wanted to show his players on the court during Thursday’s practice session at the American Airlines Center.
Instead, Carlisle let the game footage of Wednesday night’s 100-94 loss to Phoenix do the talking.
Looking to reinforce the defensive mindset that the team came into training camp with, Carlisle stressed to his players that they’re at their best when the defense is successful. He also preached to a team of eight new faces the importance of playing as one unit.
“We got back to an understanding about urgency and disposition and we’ve gotta carry that into tomorrow and then we’ve gotta carry it to Saturday,” Carlisle said as the team prepares for Saturday night’s road matchup against the Atlanta Hawks.
“With 10 days left before we play (the season opener), or 11, or whatever it is, we’ve gotta get these guys ready,” he added. “We’re in a town with high expectations, we’re in a league that’s extremely competitive and right now our game has gotta be as simple as possible. We’ve gotta play to our strengths and we’ve gotta understand who we are. For me, we’re an old school team that’s gotta keep things simple and has gotta play hard all the time.”
Integrating eight new players has been an evolving challenge for Carlisle and his staff this preseason while also trying to build chemistry and install defensive sets. But, with four exhibition contests looming before the season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 30, Carlisle believes there’s still time to get everyone on the same page.
The challenge now is to make strides in practice and put those lessons into action on the court, even if that means doing so without 11-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki as he continues to battle a right knee effusion injury that has sidelined the 7-footer for each of the last three games.
“It’s doable,” the coach simply said of the challenge. “We’ve got good guys and it’s a lot of communication, a lot of individual meetings and a lot of film sessions. Like today, our film session was longer than our practice, ‘cause we had to look and see the areas we needed to get better and we also have to look and see the areas we’re doing well to keep doing them.”
He added: “When we defend and run, space and move the ball, you know, we’re very good. And so, a lot of it starts with defense. And our practice today was very much geared towards defensive mentality, posture, disposition and finishing off plays. So, look, we’ll continue in that vein and we’ve got some time, but the days are going by quick.”
Fortunately for Carlisle, the Mavericks could soon receive a boost on the defensive end from fifth-year pro Rodrigue Beaubois, after the cat-quick guard rejoined full-contact drills at practice for the first time since spraining his left ankle in an 89-84 victory over ALBA Berlin on Oct. 6.
