Dallas Mavericks Will Not Defend Their NBA Title Playing Like This

The Denver Nuggets took off some of the luster from Miami's blowout win over the Dallas Mavericks by doing the same. Also, for the second game in a row, the Mavs made the game appear closer than it really was by trimming into the lead in the fourth quarter. 

For the second straight game, they trailed by over 30 points at the end of three. Needless to say, Dallas is not going to defend its title playing like this. 

To say they miss Tyson Chandler would be an understatement. Suddenly, the Mavericks are the worst defense in the league, surrendering 110 points per game, and that's with their opponents sitting their starters in the fourth quarter. 

Lamar Odom, who was supposed to be his replacement, has a field goal percentage of 12.5. That's not points per game, that's field goal percentage! Certainly they can get better than that form him, and will. That's not the problem. 

Vince Carter and Delonte West have been filling in at the shooting guard spot and have somewhat struggled, but not horrendously so, combining for an average of 14 points per game. While that could be improved upon, that's not the problem either. 

It's not just the quality of play that's of concern. To a degree, that's excusable. With the brevity of the training camp and the preseason, it's understandable.

What's more disconcerting is the lack of intensity.

The Mavericks don't have the same level of focus that they had last year when they were playing like a team possessed and were mowing down every team in their path. 

The biggest opponent the Mavericks have right now is complacency. They have the personnel, but they need to dig down and find the desire. Until they do, they won't scare anyone, even if they are the defending champs.