So That's What a Great Defense Looks Like

After watching yesterday's marquee Suns/Mavs matchup you may think I'm talking about the Suns who held the Mavs to 45% shooting from the field while out-rebounding, out-blocking, out-assisting and flat out dominating Dirk and Mark Cuban for a 126-104 win. With all the talk about Dallas' defense, with all Avery Johnson's interviews talking about D, with every talking head repeating that same defensive motto I was expecting a little more. They should keep quiet down there in Dallas.

The tides have shifted and Dallas should now be the one who has to adjust to the Suns. Two late-season wins is far more telling than early season wins and the Suns took it the last two times these teams played. The Mavs have no answer for a number of Suns players: Leandro, Amare, Steve, Boris, Shawn Marion's D.

Finally we got to see Phoenix Suns basketball. The last couple times these teams played the Suns were frantic, not keeping to their strengths. Maybe it was hype or media coverage but they were out of sorts. Yesterday they got it together and played how they have played most of the year. Quick sets, crisp passes and solid shooting dictated this game and ths Suns shot a season high (for the entire league) 65%.

Leandro Barbosa was terrific and any inch Dallas' defense gave him he exploited and hit big shots. Not only that but he was creating shots and they just couldn't stay with him. I give credit to Steve who was making good plays all day and easy passes were flowing like wine. Shawn quietly dominated defensively and was extremely active the entire game.

Amare is a huge problem for the Mavs as well. He consistantly shoots a high percentage against them and they have no way of slowing him down. They should be having flashbacks to the 04-05 playoffs. Boris played great too and he even abused Jason Terry in the post on a number of possessions which made me particularly happy. I don't understand the logic that had the Mavs not switch or when Boris was posting Terry but whatever.

This should be a very welcome sign of things to come in the playoffs. Not only was this game good news but the Spurs lost too so we have a good chance to hold our playoff spot.