Mavericks' depth their bench mark
By Mercedes Mayer
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
SAN ANTONIO - The Spurs, like most teams, have yet to see the Mavericks at "full throttle."
Three Mavs starters and four key reserves combined to miss 138 games during the regular season, which, in turn, helped to test and strengthen Dallas' depth.
The Mavs are finally coming close to having a full complement of players as they start their best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series with the Spurs at noon today at AT&T Center.
"We always were missing some key guys, and we're finally able to get back everybody except [Keith] Van Horn," coach Avery Johnson said.
Jerry Stackhouse, Devin Harris and Adrian Griffin each missed two of the four regular-season games against the Spurs, and Van Horn and Josh Howard each missed one.
Yet the Mavs still went 2-2 against San Antonio.
"We have one of the best benches in the league," Dirk Nowitzki said. "We have a great mix coming off the bench. We have slashers, scorers, we have shooters.
"They gave us a big lift this season. They stepped up and made big plays for us."
While San Antonio's depth is more specialized, the Mavs count on their bench players as a part of the whole package.
The Spurs' reserves are veteran players (all five of their key reserves have seven or more years' experience) who are clutch playoff performers and play fewer minutes.
The Mavs feel they have a well-rounded group that isn't used merely to give the starters a rest. Their reserves are a mix of young and older players with varying skills and strengths.
"It's good to have the mix," said Stackhouse, a 10-year veteran who finished third in the Sixth Man of the Year voting. "We have veteran guys who have been there, but we have the young guys that can provide a spark or do something special because they don't know any better."
That's why Stackhouse looks at the Mavs bench as an "X-factor."
"We don't know exactly who it's going to be," Stackhouse said.
One night it could be Marquis Daniels' turn, like in Game 1 against Memphis (6-of-9 shooting, 13 points).
Or center Erick Dampier, who, as a starter-turned-reserve, has been solid with 6.5 points and 8.8 rebounds in the playoffs.
Stackhouse brings the grittiness and instant energy off the bench every night, and Harris has made strides since suffering a quadriceps injury late in the season. Harris was impressive in Game 4 against Memphis and could be key in matching up against San Antonio's quick guards.
"When you can mix it up like that it's tougher for the other team to defend," Stackhouse said.
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