Dallas Mavericks' Problems Begin with Defense After Losing Tyson Chandler

Last season, the Dallas Mavericks won the NBA finals based on a strong defensive presence.

That presence was created in large part because of Tyson Chandler, who changed the culture of the Mavericks in a good way.

He provided strong interior defense and a certain toughness that had been missing from the team for years.

But, when Chandler hit free agency this offseason, Dallas owner Mark Cuban decided not to make an offer to keep Chandler.

Now, he's paying dearly for it. Current center Brendan Haywood is not on the same level defensively as Chandler, who averaged 10.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game last year.

Haywood isn't a bad player and can still grab plenty of rebounds, but he doesn't alter games defensively the way that Chandler did.

Take a look at this season, for example. In two games, the Mavericks have allowed an average of 110 points.

In the two losses, to the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets, the opponent was able to get into the paint and make cuts to the hoop almost at will. That didn't happen when Chandler was in the game.

Without him, the defense has been slow to rotate and doesn't have the same presence in the middle that it once had.

There's still time to make adjustments and get back on the right track, but that time is running out. In a shortened season, every game becomes more and more important.

And, at 0-2, the Mavs need to start winning in a hurry if they are going to make the playoffs again this season.

But, the Mavs may never get the chance to get back on their feet defensively. They have two of their next four games against the high-scoring Oklahoma City Thunder and a game against the fast-paced Minnesota Timberwolves.

Those teams like to run and can score in bunches. They create serious matchup problems for the aging, slower Mavericks team.

Perhaps the best chance for the Mavs to get a win in their first six games will be on Friday, December 30, at home against the Toronto Raptors.

If they give up more than 100 points to the Raptors and lose, the defending champions will be in for a very long season.