Dallas Mavericks: Grading Maxi Kleber’s 2019-2020 season

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Dallas Mavericks Maxi Kleber (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

Dallas Mavericks defense: Maxi Kleber

Kleber provides similar versatility on the defensive end. He produced 5.4 rebounds, 0.3 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. Kleber shifted to playing center more this season (87 percent of the time per Basketball-Reference). That allowed the Mavericks to use his rim-protecting abilities more.

Kleber can also get out on the perimeter and defend. He does well moving his feet and staying in front. There were numerous plays like this.

https://videos.nba.com/nba/pbp/media/2020/01/10/0021900572/349/55d83c1b-32c4-77ec-269d-80ede12df834_1280x720.mp4

He actually got LeBron James twice in that same game which took place on Jan. 10. Kleber also did it to Jayson Tatum, Ben Simmons, and a number of other players. Try to take him off the dribble at your own risk.

The advanced metrics were slightly less favorable on this end of the floor. Kleber produced 1.7 defensive win shares which fell 93rd in the NBA. His defensive box score plus-minus was 80th. He was 109th in ESPN’s defensive real plus-minus. Kleber ranked 70th in FiveThirtyEight’s defensive RAPTOR.

Defensive grade: A-

Maxi Kleber is a stout and versatile defender. He can protect the rim and defend on the perimeter. His rebounding numbers could improve, but Kleber is one of the Mavs best on this end of the floor. Put it all together to give him an A-minus grade so far.

Next: Overall grade