5 outside the box strategies Mavericks coach Jason Kidd could try in the playoffs

Strategy Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd could try in playoffs: 4. Play Boban and go zone

The Mavs used this strategy last year against the LA Clippers, and nobody saw it coming. Boban Marjanovic played in just 33 of 72 regular-season contests, and he saw over 20 minutes of action just twice before the postseason. The 7’3 big man was a DNP-CD in the first three games of the first-round series before seeing 14.6 minutes in Game 4 and starting the final three contests.

Boban is a force in the paint. His sheer size and soft touch around the basket make him difficult to guard. Marjanovic can change a game, and he forces defenses to adjust to him. The 7’3 big man cannot guard on the perimeter and struggles on the defensive end, so Dallas would have to play zone and let Bobi roam near the paint to make this a viable strategy.

Coach Kidd’s commitment to defense makes this move less likely. He believes in his system, and the Mavs are no fluke. They are sixth in defensive rating and second since the calendar flipped over to 2022.

The Hall of Fame point guard will adjust his rotations in the playoffs, but do not expect him to abandon his defense. The Dallas Mavericks may play some zone as a change of pace, but do not expect to see Marjanovic playing significant minutes.