Dallas Mavericks, led by Shawn Marion, Getting it Done with Defense

Published: 18^th Feb 12 3:28 pm

by Marian Hinton
Texas Sports Blogger

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Dallas Mavericks, led by Shawn Marion, Getting it Done with Defense

Jamal Crawford-US PRESSWIRE

The Dallas Mavericks have long been a team associated with incredible offensive firepower and mediocre to poor defense. However, this is proving to be a thing of the past, as the Mavs are fast becoming one of the best defensive teams in the NBA.

The Mavs are now the league’s #1 team in opponent field goal percentage, holding other teams to 41.4% shooting from the floor. Over the last 10 games, they’ve held the opposing team to an average of 40.2% in field goal shooting.

They are top 6 in nearly every other defensive category as well, including points allowed (tied for #5) and turnovers forced (#6).

Dallas’ new brand of defense was again on display last night in their come-from-behind-win against the Philadelphia 76ers. In the second half of last night’s game, the Mavs held the 76ers to 24 points in the final two quarters–the same number of points that Dirk Nowitzki scored himself in that same time frame. In the third quarter, Dallas gave up only 8 points.

At the helm of the new and improved Dallas defense is the man that Mark Cuban thinks should be this season’s Defensive Player of the Year, 13-year veteran, Shawn Marion.

Marion, who unbelievably has never made the NBA’s All-Defensive team, is a huge part of the Maverick’s defensive turnaround. After playing a key role for Dallas in last year’s playoffs guarding such players as Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, Marion has carried his defensive prowess into this season, and he’s making those around him even better.

Behind his strong defensive play, Dallas has shut down some of the best guards in the league. Over the past 4 games, Ricky Rubio, Chris Paul, Ty Lawson, and Jrue Holiday have been held to a total of 32 points. In fact, both Lawson (who averages 15 p/g) and Holiday (who averages 13 p/g) were held to combined 1-17 from the floor, scoring just 3 points each.

Sunday, the Mavericks will face yet another strong, emerging point guard as they travel to New York to take on the Knicks. Marion will have his hands full with the fast-rising superstar and fan favorite, Jeremy Lin.

Most impressive is Marion’s ability to guard not only point guards, however, but nearly every position on the court as well. His versatility is what set him apart from most NBA defenders.

After all, there is a reason they call him “The Matrix.”

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