Armstrong calls for action

[kriD]

MAVERICKS NOTES

Armstrong calls for action

By ART GARCIA
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

LOS ANGELES - Darrell Armstrong has seen and done plenty over a 12-year career.

But the 37-year-old reserve point guard and team leader did something last week he's surprisingly never done. He called a team meeting.

"It's the first time I've done it anywhere," Armstrong said Friday.

Armstrong felt he had to do something after the Mavs played a lifeless first half in a disappointing 117-115 overtime loss at New York on Jan. 11.

The next day, on what would have been a day off, he summoned the team to American Airlines Center to watch film. More than anything, though, he wanted to clear the air.

"Everybody hates to be criticized, but we went through that film for everyone to see," said Armstrong, in his second season with the Mavs. "We talked about what can happen if we do the little things. The guys responded well."

The Mavs won their next three by an average of 26.3 points heading into Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center.

"We've played differently since Armstrong had that extensive film session with the team," said coach Avery Johnson, who called his share of players' only meetings during his long career.

Armstrong was also recognized as a team leader in Orlando and New Orleans, his two other NBA stops.

But he's never thought about bringing the team together to hash out some things.

"We talked about how we have a special situation here and we should never come out flat," Dirk Nowitzki said.

Nothing was off limits, including the struggles of Erick Dampier, and the floor was open for anyone to speak.

"I've been on three teams, and I've seen guys that can't take criticism," said Armstrong, who plans to go into coaching after he retires.

"They can come out and destroy the whole team. It's unbelievable how they've responded and the way they've played.

"Look at Damp. He's come off the bench and responded with energy. We're just trying lift each other up and keep a good spirit."

Van Horn, Daniels better

Keith Van Horn (sprained ankle) and Marquis Daniels (strained neck) are nearing their returns.

Van Horn said his ankle is improving, and he could be back Sunday when the Mavs play at Portland. Daniels will resume practicing today and could suit up before the road trip ends Thursday at Seattle.

Avery Johnson admits his natural instinct is to rush injured players back.

"I would love to be more aggressive at getting guys back on the floor because that's how I was," Johnson said, referring to his playing career.

"David Robinson wouldn't let me miss games. There were three or four nights a year where I just couldn't go, but he'd sit up there chewing his bubble gum reading a Shakespeare book saying 'Does it hurt?' I'd say, 'Yeah.' 'Can you run?' 'Yes.' 'Well, we'll see you out there.'"

Nowitzki sticks outside

Dirk Nowitzki went into the Clippers game without a layup, dunk or tip-in in his previous three games, his longest such stretch of the season.

Not that he needed to go inside much. Nowitzki knocked down 30-of-46 (65 percent) from the floor in the three blowout victories, including all six of his 3-point attempts.

[dude1394]

Nice inside stuff. Love that stuff, really wish the reporters would give us more personal behind the scenes info...

[Murphy3]

I'd say that it's a good move by Dirk to preserve himself in these blowouts...There's no reason to abuse your body offensively when the team is clicking like it is and when you're hot as hell for the most part from the outside.

[Murphy3]

I love to hear all the talk about and by Armstrong... It's nice to have such a solid group of players with many of the leading in some capacity or another.

[bernardos70]

Excellent article. Armstrong = the next Avery? What a great locker room guy, it looks like everyone, including dampier, responded well.

As for Dirk taking jumpers, as long as starts going to the hoop when he's not hitting them, I'm fine with it. Doesn't matter how he gets them. Shooting at 65%, I don't care if he's taking midcourt heaves all night long with his feet tied together while blindfolded looking at the shotclock on the other end of the floor with his infrared vision.

[samoan-maverickII]

Damn this title scared that krap out of me. I thought Darrell was unhappy with his PT. Otherwise very cool of Darrell.

[Thespiralgoeson]

God bless Darrell Armstrong.

[DirkGoesNuclear]

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

God bless Darrell Armstrong.

WHat's the latest on DA's injury?

As far as Dirk not scoring down low, now is the time to do it - against weak opponents. I;m am beginning to think that he's abandoning his challenge to get better in the low post in preparation for the post season. AJ has to pull out those Olajuwan tapes and make Dirk study them every night.

[birdsanctuary]

ARMSTRONG = CHAMPIONSHIP PIECE!

[DubOverdose]

I hope to see DA as Avery's assistant coach in the near future. That tandem of powerful, vocal, and fearless PGs has a lot of leadership qualities. Every player in the L looks up to these guys, why not try to have both of them as coaches?

[snoop]

I bet the meeting was like a drug intervention for damp. They told him there was going to be old olivermiller highlights in the film room and as damp ran in the room they locked the door behind him and all at once the team said "Damp you have a problem"....