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kriD · 03-18-2006, 07:32 AM

MAVERICKS NOTES

Injuries testing Mavs' depth

By ART GARCIA
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

WASHINGTON -- Coaches earn their pay when they're juggling lineups, finding playing time to rest the heavy lifters and improvising game plans.

Isn't that right?

"You know what?" Mavericks coach Avery Johnson asked. "This gives our assistant coaches a chance to really prove what they can do."

Johnson's deadpan humor is about as close to laughing as he'll get to the Mavericks' current situation.

Missing four important parts to the rotation, Johnson and his staff are working overtime to keep the team afloat with the playoffs inching closer.

So far, the job has been superb. The Mavs (52-14) remained in the Western Conference lead with Friday night's 104-94 victory over Washington at the Verizon Center.

Keith Van Horn (knee) might return Sunday at New Jersey, though Adrian Griffin (hamstring) still isn't ready. Griffin has only been cleared to do light jogging. Devin Harris (quad) and Josh Howard (hamstring) didn't make the road trip.

"We've got to get some healthy bodies back," Dirk Nowitzki said.

Howard and Griffin are starters, and Johnson considers Harris part of the first unit, although the second-year point guard normally doesn't start. Van Horn had been the first big man off the bench.

"We understand where we are and what we're missing, but we haven't given them any excuses," Johnson said. "Our staff don't give any excuses. [The players] don't make excuses. We're just trying to go out and find ways to stay competitive."

And that entails playing rookies Rawle Marshall and Josh Powell, and DJ Mbenga. Johnson doesn't feel comfortable playing more than one of his three centers -- DeSagana Diop, Erick Dampier and Mbenga -- at the same time, further limiting his options.

Johnson has only one backup point guard (Darrell Armstrong), swingman (Jerry Stackhouse) and power forward (Powell).

It's time to reach into that bag of coaching tricks.

"Right now we're just trying to make adjustments," Johnson said. "We're throwing out some zone. We play man-to-man. We've got to use our timeouts much more efficiently."

Johnson and Wooden

Avery Johnson is one of four finalists for the Coach John Wooden "Keys to Life" award, which honors a member of the college or pro basketball community who exemplifies outstanding character.

The other finalists are Allan Houston and Michael Redd from the NBA, and University of Washington coach Lorenzo Romar. The award will be presented on April 1 during Final Four weekend in Indianapolis.

Briefly

Jerry Stackhouse received a round of boos when he checked in in the first quarter and the first few times he touched the ball. Stackhouse spent two seasons (2002-04) with the Wizards. "Either they miss me or something," he joked.

The Mavs dancers aren't going to the Big Dance. They fell in the second round to Seattle in the NBA Dance Team Bracket on nba.com.

03-18-2006, 07:32 AM	#89
kriD Platinum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 2,039	MAVERICKS NOTES Injuries testing Mavs' depth By ART GARCIA Star-Telegram Staff Writer WASHINGTON -- Coaches earn their pay when they're juggling lineups, finding playing time to rest the heavy lifters and improvising game plans. Isn't that right? "You know what?" Mavericks coach Avery Johnson asked. "This gives our assistant coaches a chance to really prove what they can do." Johnson's deadpan humor is about as close to laughing as he'll get to the Mavericks' current situation. Missing four important parts to the rotation, Johnson and his staff are working overtime to keep the team afloat with the playoffs inching closer. So far, the job has been superb. The Mavs (52-14) remained in the Western Conference lead with Friday night's 104-94 victory over Washington at the Verizon Center. Keith Van Horn (knee) might return Sunday at New Jersey, though Adrian Griffin (hamstring) still isn't ready. Griffin has only been cleared to do light jogging. Devin Harris (quad) and Josh Howard (hamstring) didn't make the road trip. "We've got to get some healthy bodies back," Dirk Nowitzki said. Howard and Griffin are starters, and Johnson considers Harris part of the first unit, although the second-year point guard normally doesn't start. Van Horn had been the first big man off the bench. "We understand where we are and what we're missing, but we haven't given them any excuses," Johnson said. "Our staff don't give any excuses. [The players] don't make excuses. We're just trying to go out and find ways to stay competitive." And that entails playing rookies Rawle Marshall and Josh Powell, and DJ Mbenga. Johnson doesn't feel comfortable playing more than one of his three centers -- DeSagana Diop, Erick Dampier and Mbenga -- at the same time, further limiting his options. Johnson has only one backup point guard (Darrell Armstrong), swingman (Jerry Stackhouse) and power forward (Powell). It's time to reach into that bag of coaching tricks. "Right now we're just trying to make adjustments," Johnson said. "We're throwing out some zone. We play man-to-man. We've got to use our timeouts much more efficiently." Johnson and Wooden Avery Johnson is one of four finalists for the Coach John Wooden "Keys to Life" award, which honors a member of the college or pro basketball community who exemplifies outstanding character. The other finalists are Allan Houston and Michael Redd from the NBA, and University of Washington coach Lorenzo Romar. The award will be presented on April 1 during Final Four weekend in Indianapolis. Briefly Jerry Stackhouse received a round of boos when he checked in in the first quarter and the first few times he touched the ball. Stackhouse spent two seasons (2002-04) with the Wizards. "Either they miss me or something," he joked. The Mavs dancers aren't going to the Big Dance. They fell in the second round to Seattle in the NBA Dance Team Bracket on nba.com.