Not a graceful move by Dirk
Not a graceful move by Dirk
Clumsy instance looks scary, but there's no serious damage
By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News
Dirk Nowitzki can be a graceful player at times, rising above defenders for a silky smooth jumper, leaving that hand flicked at the end of the shot like some sort of snake waiting to strike.
Saturday was not one of those times.
Nowitzki said he thought it was a clumsy move that sent him to the X-ray room at American Airlines Center in the second quarter against New Jersey.
"I'm not even sure what happened," he said. "I didn't step on anybody's foot. It was just sort of a retarded move."
In short, his feet went all thumbs on him as he got tangled in his own web.
What the X-ray showed was no structural problem and, as Nowitzki said, the bone spurs that rattle around in his ankle still have the ability to be a source of pain.
"They're still in there doing whatever they do," he said.
Nowitzki had an ice bag wrapped around the inside of his left ankle after the game and still wasn't moving freely. After the Mavericks enjoyed a day off Sunday, Nowitzki hopes he will be pain-free before Tuesday's home game against Washington.
Stand-up moment:
Darrell Armstong took responsibility Friday when he allowed San Antonio's Devin Brown to slip around him for the offensive rebound that sealed the Spurs' win.
"I made the mistake of watching the shot instead of looking for somebody to box out," he said.
Armstrong wasn't the only culprit who played a part in the loss. But his accountability speaks volumes about why he is respected around the league and in the locker room.
briefly:
The Mavericks will wear their retro green uniforms Tuesday against Washington, which also will be wearing a throwback outfit. ... Josh Howard should be back at practice today and may be back in the starting lineup Tuesday.
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