DALLAS, Texas — Rick Carlisle and this team understands what it takes to be great on the offensive end of the court as Carlisle mentioned during his press conference earlier today, but there is one area Carlisle feels like the Mavericks should place heavy emphasis towards leading up to this unprecedented season.
“It’s great to be the very best at something as we were last year. We were the best offensive team in the history of the game on a points per possession basis, and that is a substantial accomplishment, but we got to raise the level of our defense,” said Carlisle.
Carlisle also stated he has confidence that the addition of Josh Richardson and James Johnson will certainly help those efforts as training camp commences in the upcoming days. He also mentioned newly drafted Maverick guard Josh Green and how the rookie’s specific skills will help contribute to the Mavericks success on the defensive end.
“Josh Green is a very good defender for a young player. With the addition of Josh Green, Josh Richardson, and James Johnson it will help create the mentality of becoming a better defensive team.”
Josh Richardson who was recently acquired via trade from the 76ers during the draft, has garnered a reputation across the league for being a “3 and D” guy. Richardson spoke about having the opportunity of playing for Rick Carlisle, and the defensive approach he will bring to this team.
“One thing I can bring is toughness, leadership, and I can bring defense. I think that the few of us that are coming in this year will bring an aspect of hard-nose and physical basketball. I know that he (Carlisle) is a big detail guy, and Spo (Erik Spoelstra) was all about the details.
“I think I fit in and I can be a ball handler, I can be a shotmaker, and I know how to find guys and keep guys into the game, and I think that it’s a different playing style and it fits me well, and the guys genuinely like each other, so it’s a great fit for me.”
Richardson expressed his excitement about teaming up with Luka Doncic and revealed that the two have been knowing one another since Luka was 16, and also spoke about the impact he has seen Luka have on this team from an outside perspective.
“In the offseason I trained in Santa Barbara and we met when he came out there to train for the summer and we played some pick up ball, and when I got back to Miami I told my friends I just met this kid and he is going to be the #1 overall pick in the draft. From the outside looking in, the first thing you see is Luka and he is one of the best players in the NBA and he is a great engine for this team.”
Luka Doncic recognizes that the team had opportunities defensively to close out games last season but at times fell short, but expressed his confidence in the new acquisitions for the Mavericks and believes they will contribute immediately to both the offensive and defensive end.
“Last season we had a lot of games we didn’t close, we were up 7 with a minute to go and we would lose it in the end. Everyone learned from that and I think this season will be much better than last season. The players we traded for are amazing defenders and are going to help us in a lot of ways. They will make a difference for sure.”
Rick Carlisle wants his team to compete with the better teams in the Western Conference and the NBA, and the best way to do that is to have a set of “tough guys” who can give you that boost on the defensive end and Carlisle is confident his players old and new will buy in.
