Naji Marshall is fully embracing the enforcer role the Mavericks need from him

Naji Marshall was instrumental in the Dallas Mavericks' first win of the season over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night, as he did a little bit of everything in the win. More importantly, though, Marshall was the enforcer Dallas needed in a crucial moment, and this is a trait he needs to continue to embrace for the Mavericks, as he's notoriously been protective of teammates throughout his career.

In the second quarter, Cooper Flagg had a runaway opportunity for a transition slam with Aaron Nesmith trailing behind, and Nesmith committed a hard foul as he attempted to block the dunk. Marshall subsequently got into Nesmith’s grill and defended Flagg after running from half court, and probably had some choice words for him.

Naji Marshall stood up for Cooper Flagg when Dallas needed him

The two were separated and given double technical fouls, but Marshall did the right thing by defending his teammate. Flagg was completely defenseless in mid-air, and Nesmith made a dirty play, which Marshall clearly had no room for, and rightfully so. Flagg unfortunately injured the same left shoulder that was giving him problems last year after the hard fall, and Marshall isn’t going to tolerate someone going after one of his friends and Dallas’ young superstar.

Marshall took to X after the game to show that he’s going to stand up for Flagg as well as anyone else donning a Mavericks uniform, and this is the type of fire and energy this Mavericks team needs. This isn’t to say Marshall is a hothead and is out looking for fights, as that’s not his personality, but he’s definitely not going to take any nonsense.

While P.J. Washington has this same trait as well, Marshall may be even more of an enforcer than Washington, and these are the type of high-end role players with edges that Dallas needs around Kyrie Irving and Flagg. When competition is at the highest level and tempers tend to flare, having someone like Marshall will be crucial for Dallas if they make the playoffs.

Mavs need Marshall to continue to be an enforcer and buy in on defense

Marshall hasn’t had a lot of opportunities to showcase his enforcer side with Dallas being so non-competitive last season, but with this roster, there could definitely be more moments like this as the season goes along. Granted, they hopefully don’t have to come with someone making a dirty play like Nesmith did.

Part of being an enforcer is playing physical defense and relentlessly finishing through contact, both of which Marshall was able to do on Friday night. He had three steals and 15 points on 7-for-15 shooting from the field, and was crucial to Dallas’ efforts in keeping the game out of reach in the fourth quarter. Having to shoulder so much of an offensive workload last season, his physical defense wasn’t as prominent as in years past.

However, with more of a scoring punch and Irving back in the mix, hopefully this is a sign he can delegate more energy to the other end of the floor and be the enforcer Dallas needs him to be.

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