Through five games of the regular season, the Dallas Mavericks are still searching for the defensive identity that general manager Nico Harrison envisioned. Missing their three highest‑paid big men has played a role, but the issues extend beyond the frontcourt. The perimeter defense has been inconsistent, leaving Dallas in the middle of the pack defensively.<\/p>
Recent outings have shown improvement, particularly on the perimeter, but head coach Jason Kidd faces a pressing decision. Fans have called for more shot creation by inserting D’Angelo Russell into the starting lineup alongside Klay Thompson. While this pairing could ease Thompson’s shooting slump by generating cleaner looks, the defensive trade‑off is hard to ignore.<\/p>
The shortcomings of D’Angelo Russell and Klay Thompson as a defensive duo are well documented. At 35, Thompson no longer has the quickness to stay in front of faster guards, often struggling in pick‑and‑roll situations and one‑on‑one matchups. Russell, meanwhile, has never been known for his defense. Though he occasionally makes smart reads off the ball, he remains a liability at the point of attack, even more so than Thompson.<\/p>