Mavericks: Maxi Kleber proves he is league’s most underrated defender

Dallas Mavericks: Maxi Kleber shows why he is the league’s most underrated defender

Dallas Mavericks fans were surprised when coach Rick Carlisle inserted Maxi Kleber into the starting five in Game 1 of the team’s playoff series against the LA Clippers. He had not started in any of the team’s seeding games. Kleber opened 21 of his 74 regular-season contests last season, but he usually started when Kristaps Porzingis was out.

Carlisle made the move because Dallas needed someone to guard Kawhi Leonard. He felt Kleber was the best option on the roster. The series did not go as the Mavericks big man planned. Leonard went off as Kleber struggled to find his shot. The 28-year-old showed flashes all last season of being able to defend against the league’s elite scorers, though.

The Mavs opened the preseason on Dec. 12 against the Milwaukee Bucks. Kleber spent plenty of time guarding reigning back-to-back MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. He gave fans just another example of why he is the league’s most underrated defender.

Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber proves he is the league’s most underrated defender

Giannis went off in the preseason opener for 25 points and ten rebounds in 25 minutes of action, but most of that came against Dwight Powell and the Mavericks starters. When Carlisle shifted to the bench unit and put Kleber on Giannis, things got more difficult for the MVP.

Antetokounmpo is one of the best drives in the league. He can get past any player, but Kleber is one of the best at holding his ground and moving his feet. The 6’10 forward forced Giannis to turn the ball over in the third quarter off a drive.

Antetokounmpo decided to take Kleber into the post on the Bucks’ next possession. He was going to back him down for an easy bucket, but the Mavericks big man had other ideas. Kleber forced a bad shot.

Antetokounmpo continued to attack Kleber off the dribble, but there was nothing there. Kleber is fantastic at moving his feet and staying in front of his man. See another wild attempt from the MVP below.

There are maybe a handful of players in the world that can force Giannis Antetokounmpo into shots like these. The Greek Freak blows past even the best defenders for easy buckets. The MVP was nine of 19 from the field in the preseason opener, but only seven attempts came against Kleber. Giannis made two and had two turnovers including a charge that ended his night with just under three and a half minutes left in the third quarter.

Yes, it was a preseason game, but this is something. Maxi has always been a plus defender, but he keeps improving. Coach Carlisle had this to say on Sunday about Kleber’s defense.

"“He has really become one of the better two-way players in the league. There aren’t many 6’10 guys that can guard perimeter players and protect the rim. It is just very unusual. Or drive it, be able to make plays, and shoot threes with range. Give Maxi a lot of credit. He’s worked extremely hard to develop all these skills and to adjust over to what the NBA game is all about from the European game. The two games spacing-wise are quite different.”"

Maxi Kleber appears set for a career year as the Dallas Mavericks continue climbing the standings. Nobody will be talking about him. His work will go unnoticed by the national media making Kleber the most underrated defender in the league.

Do not sleep on his ability to lock down even the NBA’s elite. Expect him to get plenty of cracks at guarding guys like Giannis, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Kawhi Leonard moving forward. Kleber is up for those challenges too. He is one of the Dallas Mavericks’ secret weapons. Sleep on Maxi Kleber at your own risk.