Mavs focused on defense in first practice

DALLAS – When they opened training camp Tuesday morning at American Airlines Center, the Dallas Mavericks primarily worked on their defense.

During last year’s 50-32 season, the Mavs’ defense let them down more times than not. Thus, Rick Carlisle has made that the focal point as he starts his eighth season as the Mavs’ coach.

"The practice was heavy on defense, transition defense,’’ Carlisle said. "Our basic principles and we’ve just got to move forward from here.

"We’ve just got to do better. We were OK in some defensive areas last year, but we’ve got to be real good in transition D. And our defensive rebounding has to get a lot better.’’

The Mavs were 25^th in points allowed last year (102.3), and also were minus 3.8 in rebounding efficiency. In addition, the Mavs picked up 31.8 defensive rebounds per contest while permitting 33.9 defensive boards per outing.

"Both are going to be collective efforts,’’ Carlisle said, referring to transition defense and defensive rebounds. "All five guys are going to have to participate in every defensive situation for us.’’

Tyson Chandler and Al-Farouq Aminu were two of the Mavs’ best rebounders last year. But Chandler (Phoenix) and Aminu (Portland) both left this summer via free agency, leaving gaping holes in the middle of the Mavs’ defense.

Carlisle, however, believes the Mavs have the personnel to be effective on the defensive boards and in transition defense.

"We just got to, from a mentality standpoint, be tied together with five guys every defensive situation,’’ he said. "From transition to all the different pick and roll angles, to shell defense and containing the ball, to rebounding.’’

This story was originally published September 29, 2015 at 1:57 PM with the headline "Mavs focused on defense in first practice."