By InsideHoops.com

Dallas Mavericks guard Nick Van Exel is having a great time being a part of a winning team. Inside Hoops publisher Jeff Lenchiner caught up with Nick and discussed the team.

Nick Van Exel: I'm very happy. Happy with my role, happy with the way we're playing right now. I'm glad that I'm on a winning team, basically. That's the bottom line. Wins and losses.

InsideHoops.com: Talk about the difference between the Mavs last year and this year.

Nick Van Exel: It's defense, man. Everybody is committed. We got embarrassed last year by Sacramento. Everybody's committed and it's showing up in our stats.

InsideHoops.com: And how did the change come about, did players say it to each other, did coaches stress it more than before...

Nick Van Exel: Individually, we knew if we were going to get to that next level, we were going to have to play better defense. All guys were talking about was defense, defense, defense. We stressed it in training camp, and it's showing. There are days and nights when we have our lows, but throughout the season we've been pretty good.

InsideHoops.com: What kind of defensive changes did the coaches bring the most?

Nick Van Exel: Just the stressing of helping out. The stressing of containing our man, better man-to-man coverage. And, a lot of talking, a lot of communication.

InsideHoops.com: And when for you guys is it better to switch to zone instead of man-to-man, what kind of situations...

Nick Van Exel: The setup of our team is, if we get certain sets that teams run, we like to zone. If we know they're going to isolate one of our guys, and we're in good position to zone, we go there. We just try to mix it up. Try to get that other team out of their rhythm. Take time off the shot clock, if they don't know we're in it right away.

InsideHoops.com: What about the Lakers being down, does that make the West feel more open for you?

Nick Van Exel: I don't know. I think Sacramento is the best team in the West. I think the Lakers are still the team to beat, but Sacramento is definitely the best team in the West.

InsideHoops.com: And if they're the best team in the West, does that mean that they're the best team in the whole league?

Nick Van Exel: Basically (laughs).

InsideHoops.com: And in the East, how do you feel about Indiana, New Jersey...

Nick Van Exel: I really like Indiana. I think they have a toughness, and I think they have an inside-outside game.

InsideHoops.com: Any one player in particular on Indiana that you think deserves more credit?

Nick Van Exel: Naw. Those guys, when they come to play, they're one of the tougher teams to beat. I think all those guys really get their due respect.


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