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kriD · 03-01-2006, 08:29 AM

Mavs are more than ankle deep

Neither injury, illness or erratic play can thwart Avery's rotation

By EDDIE SEFKO / Staff Writer

The Mavericks are going into the first of what figures to be many "biggest games of the year" with four of their top seven players fighting injuries or illness.

And yet they have no reason to panic about Thursday's visit to San Antonio.

Avery Johnson's favorite phrase to describe his team is that they are a work in progress. That may still be true. But the work is further along than it used to be. And the last two games are proof of the Mavericks' progress.

Against Toronto on Saturday, Jerry Stackhouse had 18 points and six assists in the second half. Against Philadelphia on Monday, he barely dented the score sheet.

Against Toronto, DeSagana Diop was invisible.

He returned against the Sixers with seven rebounds, five offensive, to go with six points and a block.

The point is that the Mavericks have figured out that they are 11 players deep.

And while the playing rotation may get shaved to eight players on certain nights, it probably will be a different eight players from game to game and matchup to matchup.

"We're deep when we make it work," says Johnson. "We weren't deep [against Toronto]. We had four and a half players that really committed to what we were doing. That's not deep. We're deep when we have all nine or 10 guys get back on defense, rebounding, containing penetration, and that's when we're deep."

The flip side of that is when they have players who have an off night, they can survive because somebody else picks up the slack.

"We got a lot of guys who can get it done," Stackhouse said. "We're still a little shorthanded. But if we get those guys back against San Antonio, it'll be even better."

Speaking of injuries: The Mavericks are expecting at least three of their wounded to be in uniform for the Spurs game.

Dirk Nowitzki (left ankle), Josh Howard (right ankle) and Keith Van Horn (stomach illness) are expected back at practice today.

Devin Harris (left thigh) is hoping to shave some time off his expected rest time of a week. But with back-to-back games on Thursday and Friday, his availability is uncertain.

Briefly: The Mavericks rested Tuesday. They had a team brunch that was followed by a routine meeting with NBA personnel. ... The Spurs had a nice warm-up for Thursday's showdown, especially their former Mavericks. Michael Finley hit all eight of his shots, including five from 3-point range, for 22 points against New York. Nick Van Exel hit six of eight shots for 14 points.

03-01-2006, 08:29 AM	#1
kriD Platinum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 2,039	Mavs are more than ankle deep Mavs are more than ankle deep Neither injury, illness or erratic play can thwart Avery's rotation By EDDIE SEFKO / Staff Writer The Mavericks are going into the first of what figures to be many "biggest games of the year" with four of their top seven players fighting injuries or illness. And yet they have no reason to panic about Thursday's visit to San Antonio. Avery Johnson's favorite phrase to describe his team is that they are a work in progress. That may still be true. But the work is further along than it used to be. And the last two games are proof of the Mavericks' progress. Against Toronto on Saturday, Jerry Stackhouse had 18 points and six assists in the second half. Against Philadelphia on Monday, he barely dented the score sheet. Against Toronto, DeSagana Diop was invisible. He returned against the Sixers with seven rebounds, five offensive, to go with six points and a block. The point is that the Mavericks have figured out that they are 11 players deep. And while the playing rotation may get shaved to eight players on certain nights, it probably will be a different eight players from game to game and matchup to matchup. "We're deep when we make it work," says Johnson. "We weren't deep [against Toronto]. We had four and a half players that really committed to what we were doing. That's not deep. We're deep when we have all nine or 10 guys get back on defense, rebounding, containing penetration, and that's when we're deep." The flip side of that is when they have players who have an off night, they can survive because somebody else picks up the slack. "We got a lot of guys who can get it done," Stackhouse said. "We're still a little shorthanded. But if we get those guys back against San Antonio, it'll be even better." Speaking of injuries: The Mavericks are expecting at least three of their wounded to be in uniform for the Spurs game. Dirk Nowitzki (left ankle), Josh Howard (right ankle) and Keith Van Horn (stomach illness) are expected back at practice today. Devin Harris (left thigh) is hoping to shave some time off his expected rest time of a week. But with back-to-back games on Thursday and Friday, his availability is uncertain. Briefly: The Mavericks rested Tuesday. They had a team brunch that was followed by a routine meeting with NBA personnel. ... The Spurs had a nice warm-up for Thursday's showdown, especially their former Mavericks. Michael Finley hit all eight of his shots, including five from 3-point range, for 22 points against New York. Nick Van Exel hit six of eight shots for 14 points.