Josh Green and Derrick Jones Jr left this summer and with them all the defensive certainties of the Dallas Mavericks on the outside, especially with the recent injury to Dante Exum. How can the reigning finalists compensate for these departures and protect Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving from the opposition’s best attackers?
Just yesterday, Klay was 20 years old
The biggest arrival for the Dallas Mavericks this summer is Klay Thompson. And in his prime, he would be the answer to all the prayers of fans of the Texas franchise. Taking care of the best opposing attackers while protecting his superstar leader in defense, the “Splash Bro” has made it his job. A job so well done that it led to four NBA titles.
But now, the fullback no longer has his 20-year-old legs and he is no longer one of the first names that comes to mind when we talk about an elite defensive player. Klay Thompson remains a decent player on this side of the floor and will start in Dallas this season alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Suffice to say that, despite the Slovenian’s progress, it will still be up to the former San Francisco goat to put his butt on the ground, at least at the start of the match, against Jalen Brunson, Stephen Curry, Trae Young and all the others. Will he still be able to do it?
The key to Dallas’ outside defense is largely in the hands of the newcomer and it’s still overall bad news even if he will try to prove us wrong. Klay Thompson was looking for a change of scenery, with a bigger role, he found it and will now have to take it on.
New soldiers come from the bench
Last year, PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford were already there to protect the backs of the two stars, but position 3 was reserved for a soldier, most often Josh Green or Derrick Jones Jr. Now it’s Klay Thompson, but other players arrived to strengthen the bench in the away sector.
Spencer Dinwiddie first of all, even if he does not compensate for the defensive shortcomings, quite the contrary. Those who will take over the missions of the players who left in the summer are called Naji Marshall and Quentin Grimes. The former New Orleans Pelicans made a name for himself in the NBA last year thanks to his defensive ability and became the main duty player for the Texas franchise. He will be able to shine the spotlight in a more exposed franchise and should experience real progress in terms of recognition and popularity.
The one who started at the New York Knicks is not a pure defensive specialist, but went to a good school. Being trained by Tom Thibodeau is always more or less an insurance policy in the NBA. Grimes knows above all that his number of minutes will depend on his quality on this side of the floor because, in terms of offensive creation, the Dallas Mavericks do not need him.
Internal progression
Luka Doncic has improved on defense last season, but he has some room left. To become a complete NBA superstar, he must still give more of himself on this side of the floor, taking inspiration from a player like Stephen Curry who, during his career, lost the target status that stuck to him.
Tyronn Lue said Luka Doncic is a “great defender.”
Here Lue talks about Doncic’s defense in the series so far. pic.twitter.com/5rndY3r7GB
— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) April 26, 2024
Especially since it is difficult to imagine Kyrie Irving reaching a milestone. The former Cleveland Cavaliers knows how to do the minimum and no more, but we are never safe from a nice surprise. Jaden Hardy is anything but a defensive specialist, but progress could ensure he sees more time on the court than in 2023-24.
Dante Exum will return to help, in about three months, and in the meantime it is Olivier-Maxence Prosper who must shine and find a place in the NBA. Derek Lively II directly found a role last year with the Mavericks, which was not the case for the other rookie whose main strength is supposed to be his defense. The Canadian will have the opportunity to prove it!
