Bogut, Barnes make Mavericks better on defense

Give the Dallas Mavericks credit for addressing their pressing needs on the defensive end of the floor over the off-season.

The acquisitions of center Andrew Bogut and small forward Harrison Barnes should make the Mavericks’ defense light years better than it was last season.

“They should really help,” coach Rick Carlisle said after Tuesday’s first training camp practice. “I can’t give you an analytic answer to that question, but we believe that Bogut’s rim protection, knowledge, the fact that he’s underrated as a guy that can move his feet at that size, and Barnes’ ability to guard the perimeter, rebound, etc. is going to help.”

Bogut and Barnes spent the past four seasons toiling for Golden State and won an NBA title with the Warriors in 2015. Their defense also was integral to the Warriors setting an NBA single-season record for wins with 73 last season.

“I think all the good teams have a rim protector, or must have a rim protector and be good in the paint defensively, and he’s been doing that his entire career,” forward Dirk Nowitzki said of Bogut. “He’s very smart.

“And I think whether it’s a zone or a man-to-man [defense] he should be back there anchoring our defense, and we’re looking forward to doing that with him.”

A 7-foot, 260-pound 11-year veteran, Bogut led the NBA in blocks in 2010-11 with 2.6 per game. He was named to the league’s All-Defensive second team in 2015.

“I think just bringing a paint presence defensively for us will be key for us,” said Bogut, who averaged seven rebounds and 1.6 blocks last season. “Just making sure when guys come in that paint, especially early in games, that I’m contesting the shot, I’m blocking the shot, taking a charge or I’m fouling somebody.”

Barnes (6-8, 225 pounds) averaged 11.7 points and 4.9 rebounds last season and, by all accounts, is an underrated defender. In addition to his desire to increase his scoring average this season, the 24-year-old is eager to show what he can deliver on defense.

“I’m really excited for this season,” Barnes said. “There’s going to be bigger expectations and I’m going to have a larger role on this team, but the biggest thing I’ve learned in my four years of being in this league is winning is the biggest priority, so I’m trying to do whatever I can to help this team win.

“I feel like we have a lot of pieces this year either coming back off injuries, guys who are motivated and have a lot to prove, a lot of new additions. So hopefully we can all come together and do something special.”

Perhaps no one is happier to see Barnes than shooting guard Wesley Matthews, who spent more than his share of time guarding small forwards last season.

“I was messing with him,” Matthews said of Barnes. “I was like, ‘I get to guard my position this time.’

“I get to finally guard [shooting guards].”

Carlisle will have multiple defensive options this season.

“The beauty of those two guys is that they can both guard multiple positions,” Carlisle said, referring to Barnes and Matthews. “And with [Justin] Anderson in the fold you’ve got three physical guys that can switch effectively on virtually any position on the floor.”

The Mavericks were 14th in points allowed last season at 102.6 per game. The new additions, which also include savvy power forward Quincy Acy, should help lower that number.

“On paper we’re already better, but paper doesn’t really mean anything,” Matthews said. “By [the] résumé [of Bogut and Barnes] and their track record, you confidently say that we’ll be a better defensive team.

“But we’ve still got to put the work in and that’s got to be everybody — 1 through 15. But we’re in good position and we have the foundation to be a really good defensive team.”

This story was originally published September 27, 2016 at 7:29 PM with the headline "Bogut, Barnes make Mavericks better on defense."