3 reasons the Dallas Mavericks can win a title this season: Defense
As mentioned, the Dallas Mavericks have one of the best defenses in the NBA this season. Historically speaking, the team that wins the title usually has one of the best defenses.
The Milwaukee Bucks won last year, the Los Angeles Lakers did it the year before, and before that, it was teams like the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs.
Dallas plays great team defense. The way they sprint around the floor chasing defenders is super fun to watch, and their energy makes up for a lack of individual defensive talent.
They don’t have any DPOY-caliber players. The Bucks had Draymond Green, the Warriors had Draymond Green, the Lakers had Anthony Davis, the Raptors had Kawhi Leonard, and the Spurs had Tim Duncan.
And while the Mavs don’t have anyone on that level, they have plenty of guys who play their defensive roles well – Dorian Finney-Smith, Reggie Bullock, Maxi Kleber, Dwight Powell, Josh Green, and more.
Finney-Smith and Bullock act as their point-of-attack defenders, Kleber and Powell protect the paint with great aggression, and Green is a young, potential-filled defender who can do a little bit of everything.
They’ve established a great team-centered defensive scheme this year, and it’s worked wonders. Maybe a lack of defense was what was holding them back in previous years.