Kyrie Irving Reveals Jason Kidd Calling Dallas Mavs 'Soft' for Paint Defense vs. Toronto Raptors

Mavs coach Jason Kidd called out the team's lack of presence in the paint after the 127-116 loss against the Raptors.

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks' struggles to protect the paint continued in their 127-116 loss against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, allowing 72 paint points while scoring only 40. The Raptors' larger wings aggressively attacked the paint, taking advantage of Dallas' lack of size.

“You've got to give Toronto credit. They were aggressive," Mavs coach Jason Kidd said. "Again, understanding protecting the paint. They drove the ball. They dominated the glass, and we've got to do a better job."

After Wednesday's game, Kyrie Irving revealed the locker room message from Kidd saying they were "soft" in the paint. He stated the team will need to take it in stride and will need to be honest about their underwhelming performance.

"I would say we just take it in stride and have it not be a crutch and carry it over into the next game. That’s probably it," Irving said. "Just the maturity of being able to be in that locker room and just be honest about what we did tonight.

"We were soft in the interior, in the paint. When you have your head coach calling you soft, you have to take that personally and take that as a challenge. Once we watch film, it will make more sense. I’m looking forward to it tomorrow so we can just move forward, and I would say it’s just part of our season of growth.”

The Mavs didn't have Dereck Lively II, the team's only seven-footer, available to play due to an illness. Without the presence he provides the team in the paint, the team felt his absence, but also understands it cannot be an excuse. 

"We missed him a lot. There was no one in the paint tonight, and that just shows how important he is to our team. But it's the next-man-up mentality, and we just didn't do a good job on the perimeter or protecting the paint and rim."

Toronto Raptors' Scottie Barnes scores against the Dallas Mavericks / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

With Lively sidelined, the Mavs deployed more small-ball lineups to give a different look, requiring even greater execution and physicality from perimeter players. The team didn't feel as though they brought a sufficient level of impact in this area and were outrebounded 50-38. 

“We just can’t make excuses when we’re going technically small ball, or we have a different line-up out there. The guys are playing different roles, different positions," Irving said. "We just can’t make excuses for ourselves; I think that was the point of emphasis tonight. 

"We just got to be better when we’re out there. We are kinda on one side of the floor, and I'm out there, and I'm guarding OG [Anunoby] or guarding Scottie [Barnes]. It’s all about will, and we just got to be better in that aspect mentally.”

The Mavs return to action on Friday when they take on the Los Angeles Clippers, concluding a two-game homestand at American Airlines Center.