Can Tyson Chandler Transform the Dallas Mavericks Defense Once Again?

The Dallas Mavericks' biggest X-factor this season will be center Tyson Chandler and his ability to provide a defensive presence like he did during the team's championship run in 2011. 

The Mavericks reacquired Chandler back in June by agreeing to a six-player deal with the New York Knicks. The trade sent center Samuel Dalembert, point guards Jose Calderon and Shane Larkin and draft picks to The Big Apple, with point guard Raymond Felton joining Chandler in Dallas. 

The reasoning behind the move was simple. The team hasn't had a defensive enforcer like Chandler since they let the big man walk to New York a few years ago. Last season, the Mavericks finished 26th in rebounding (40.9 boards per game), 22nd in defensive rating (105.9, per NBA.com) and allowed 102.4 points per game (20th in the NBA). 

Of course, those glaring weaknesses didn't stop the Mavs from nearly pulling off a huge first-round upset and knocking off the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs. Dallas gave San Antonio the most trouble of any opponent the Spurs faced in the postseason, pushing the series to seven games. 

Now, Chandler is back in the fold, and the 2012 Defensive Player of the Year likes the chances of his new old team, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. 

"If you can challenge the champs like that and be a play or two away from actually advancing, that means you're close," Chandler said. "So I think this team is close."

Chandler also said that his goals were to help the team improve defensively and on the glass. 

"That was my role when I was there. Watching it in years past, I think it was lacking. My job is to be even better than I was the year that I had there. I’m looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to providing that and seeing what we can do.” 

Mavericks president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson and head coach Rick Carlisle also seemed glad to have Chandler back in the fold. 

"In terms of a team defender, it doesn't get much better. He covers up a lot of sins out there in terms of guys getting beat and what-not," Nelson said. "He’s really a perfect track mate in a lot of respects for Dirk [Nowitzki] and everyone across the board has become a better defender on the floor with the acquisition of Tyson. The coaching staff has gotten better and the management staff has certainly gotten a lot smarter."

Carlisle called Chandler "an injection of enthusiasm and energy" and added that "he's a great runner, screener, rim protector. He just has that exuberant enthusiasm that’s infectious and it rubs off on everybody". 

It's worth noting that these comments came back in June, before the team made its other big splash of the offseason by signing small forward Chandler Parsons away from the Houston Rockets. While Parsons doesn't impact the defense like Chandler does, his presence gives the Mavericks another potential star as well as arguably the most well-rounded starting rotation in the league. 

Parsons, Chandler, Monta Ellis and Dirk Nowitzki are a strong foursome. The team also has an array of options at point guard in Jameer Nelson, Devin Harris and Felton. When you throw in a second unit that now features the likes of Richard Jefferson, Al-Farouq Aminu and Greg Smith, this team has the talent and depth to challenge for a championship this season. 

It all starts with Chandler up front, though. His ability to transform this defense will be reliant on two key factors. 

Staying Healthy

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While Chandler will be only 32 years old in October, there is a lot of mileage on his 7'1", 235-pound frame. That's because he entered the league straight out of high school back in 2001. This will be his 14th season in the NBA and injuries have been as much a part of Chandler's reputation as his defensive acumen. 

In the three seasons he played with the Knicks, Chandler never played more than the 66 games he notched during the 2012-13 season. In fact, Chandler has never played a full season during his entire 13-year career. Granted, a lack of durability didn't stop him from earning DPOY honors in 2011-12. 

Still, for the Mavericks to get stops, they need Chandler on the floor. That responsibility will fall on the training staff as much as Chandler himself. During his lone season in Dallas, Chandler played in 74 games, which was his best output since he made 79 starts in 2007-08 with the then-New Orleans Hornets. 

While the Mavericks have considerable depth, neither Bernard James, Smith or Brendan Wright can provide the kind of presence on the boards or on the defensive end that Chandler can. Chandler has averaged at least nine rebounds and a block in the last four seasons. 

When healthy, he's one of the game's best rim protectors, and just his being in the paint makes opponents think twice about attacking the basket. Now that he's out from the dysfunction in New York and has the opportunity to win another championship, he should be especially motivated to get himself in the best shape possible. 

Another reason for Chandler to put his best foot forward is the fact that he'll be a free agent next summer. If he can once again be the Mavs' defensive anchor and bring another title to Dallas, that will only help drive up his price tag. 

On the flip side, if the injury bug continues to nibble on Chandler's rail-thin body, it will have quite the negative effect on both his stock and the team's championship aspirations. 

Getting Help From Others

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Defense is more than just a one-man job. While it's true a great defender like Chandler can make life easier on those around him, it's equally important that those around him make life easier on Chandler. 

The big man gets a ton of credit for having been the defensive catalyst during Dallas' championship run four years ago, but he didn't act alone. Guys like Shawn Marion, DeShawn Stevenson, Caron Butler and even Jason Kidd chipped in on the defensive end. 

Those guys are now gone, and those voids will now be filled by Jefferson, Aminu, Harris and Nelson. While nobody in that group is as good defensively as Marion was (especially in 2011), Jefferson and Aminu have the best chance at making an impact. 

At 34 years old, Jefferson isn't the impressive athlete he once was, and his defense has slipped from his early years. However, he at least puts in the effort to hinder his opponent's offense. Last season with the Utah Jazz, Jefferson allowed opponents an effective field-goal percent of 52.8, per 82games.com. 

The year before that with the Golden State Warriors, though, Jefferson allowed opponents to convert a more respectable 47.7 effective field-goal percent. On a better team with better coaching, it's more likely Jefferson returns to his Golden State form than what he was with Utah last year. 

As for Aminu, he's like a poor man's version of Marion. Like "The Matrix," Aminu is a combo forward with great athleticism and a knack for grabbing rebounds. While in New Orleans the past two seasons, he was able to get his hands on a few steals, and he has the length at 6'9" to be a decent shot-blocker. 

Aminu isn't the scorer that Marion was (or even currently is). He doesn't possess a reliable outside shot, and he's never flashed an ability to create for himself. The brunt of his offense will come from playing around the basket and in transition. 

However, the Mavericks have more than enough scorers on the roster. Aminu gives Dallas a sneaky perimeter defender on the second unit. Plus, he'll be 24 years old in a couple weeks and will only get better with the right coaching. 

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Beyond Jefferson and Aminu, Chandler will also need the guys in the starting rotation to pull their weight as well. Ellis has been one of the league's chief thieves, finishing in the top five in steals per game three times in the last five seasons. 

The team will also need some more defensive effort from their $46 million man. While in Houston, Parsons didn't leave as much of a mark as a perimeter defender as he did on the offensive end. In fairness to him, none of the Rockets' wing players played any perimeter defense last season other than point guard Patrick Beverley. 

At 25 years old (26 in October), Parsons is still young enough to be molded into a decent defender under Carlisle. If nothing else, he could funnel his man into Chandler the way he did at times with Dwight Howard last year. 

Whether it comes from the bench or the starting lineup, someone has to prove capable of making life miserable for opposing offenses besides Chandler. As good as he is at protecting the rim, he can't do it alone. It's going to take a group effort to get Dallas back where they need to be. 

So, Can Tyson Chandler Transform This Defense or Not?

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By swapping out Dalembert for Chandler alone, the Mavericks defense is sure to improve. Chandler garners enough respect from opponents that teams aren't likely to try him in the paint very often. Last season, opponents attempted 6.9 shots at the rim per game against Chandler, converting 3.5 (50.9 percent, per NBA.com).

That was on a Knicks team that had seemed to give up on defense and during a season where Chandler played just 55 games. Imagine what he can do on a motivated Mavericks team with a great supporting cast and great coaching. 

If he stays healthy, Chandler can carry this defense from the bottom of the barrel to within the top half of the league. His work on the glass alone will steal scoring opportunities from opponents. When you throw in his dynamic shot-blocking ability, you have a team that should be significantly better in the paint on both ends of the court. 

To truly transform the Mavericks defense, others will need to step up. If guys like Parsons and Ellis can make the big man's life easier, the Mavs could have a top-10 defense. If they falter, or if Chandler goes down, this team will have a huge void on the defensive end that they won't be able to overcome.