Hey, it's still Mavs-Spurs

[kriD]

Hey, it's still Mavs-Spurs

Despite lack of drama, coach says the rivalry will be just as intense

12:18 AM CDT on Sunday, April 15, 2007
By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News
cwatkins@dallasnews.com

The people who produce the NBA schedule did the right thing in allowing the Mavericks and the Spurs to face each other late in the regular season.

And when ABC decided to broadcast the Mavericks-Spurs game nationally, those officials also made the right call.

The only problem with today's game at American Airlines Center is it means little.

Dallas has clinched the Southwest Division, the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

San Antonio will finish second in the division but is trying to catch Phoenix for the No. 2 seed in the conference. The Spurs are two games behind with three games to go.

It's a game with little intrigue, but Mavericks coach Avery Johnson believes the intense rivalry between the teams will come out.

"It's the Spurs and the Mavericks," Johnson said after Saturday's practice. "I think whether we play tomorrow or ... [Spurs coach Gregg Popovich] wants to come in and scrimmage against us Monday morning, it's still the Spurs and the Mavericks and it's always going to be a tussle."

Stackhouse wants to honor Robinson: Mavericks forward Jerry Stackhouse wears No. 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson, who broke baseball's color barrier 60 years ago. Today is Jackie Robinson Day in major league baseball and every player is allowed to wear his number.

Stackhouse asked the NBA if he could have "Robinson" instead of his last name on the back of his jersey to honor the former Brooklyn Dodger. League officials said no.

"I've listened to the stories over the last few weeks," Stackhouse said of Robinson. "I think what he was able to bear and go through is the reason why black athletes and minority athletes are in the position we're in today. And it was in baseball, but it transcended all sports and we should pay homage to a guy like that."

Stackhouse said he might honor Robinson by writing something on his sneakers.

Dampier to miss another game: Center Erick Dampier is expected to miss his third consecutive game today with a strained right shoulder. Dampier said the shoulder is still sore but he hopes to play Tuesday night at Golden State. He didn't participate in the physical portions of practice on Saturday.

"I think more than anything, he needs contact," Johnson said. "It will be good for him to come back to practice on Monday. Getting him back in practice and letting him bang a little bit is what I'm hoping for. If he plays these last two days, with three days in between the [playoff game], hopefully, he'll be fresh."

Briefly: Johnson said he expects to have all his players in uniform, with the exception of one regular bench player. No player will play more than 36 minutes. ... This is Dallas' final home game of the season. ... While the Mavericks were practicing in the basement of American Airlines Center, the hockey rink was on display upstairs. A few hours after today's Mavericks game, the Stars will play Game 3 of their playoff series. Monday, the Dallas Desperados play an Arena Football League game at AAC.

[kriD]

MAVERICKS NOTES

Rivalry will still play, Avery says

By JEFF CAPLAN
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

DALLAS -- Mavericks coach Avery Johnson won't disappoint the ABC network executives too much.

Johnson said Saturday he'll have all his players in uniform and expects to play his regulars, except for an unnamed bench player, in today's game against the Spurs, telecast nationally by ABC, that carries precious little suspense.

Johnson will, however, monitor his starters' minutes. The game means nothing for the Mavs, but does hold significance for the Spurs, who have a slim chance of catching the Suns for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.

"I don't really know what the rotation will be like. I'm going to stay ready," said Dirk Nowitzki, who had 23 points in 30 minutes in Friday's 104-89 loss to the Jazz. "I don't even know how many minutes I'll play, but once you're out there you want to have efficient minutes and go about your game and get ready for next weekend."

Jerry Stackhouse is expected to play after sitting out the past three games. Jason Terry also took Friday night off.

As for giving the NBA's television partner more bang, Johnson said not to worry.

"Whether we play [today] or whether Pop [Spurs coach Gregg Popovich] wants to come in and scrimmage against us Monday morning," Johnson said, "it's still the Spurs and the Mavericks, and it's always going to be a tussle."

Stack to honor Robinson

Somehow Jerry Stackhouse will join Major League Baseball today in honoring pioneer Jackie Robinson.

Baseball is commemorating the 60th anniversary of Robinson shattering baseball's color barrier. All of the Los Angeles Dodgers will wear Robinson's No. 42 today, as will other teams and players around the league.

Stackhouse, who also wears No. 42, but not because of Robinson, petitioned the league to allow him to replace his name with Robinson's on the back of his uniform for today's game against the Spurs.

"They turned me down," Stackhouse said. "But I'm still going to try to do something to commemorate him.

"I've just listened to his stories over the last two weeks and I just think what he was able to bear and go through is the reason why black athletes and minority athletes are able to be in the position that we are today."

A league official confirmed Saturday that Stackhouse's request was denied, but said a Robinson tribute would take place at every game today.

Mavs owner Mark Cuban fully supported Stackhouse's request.

"I have a ton of respect for Stack for asking," Cuban said. "It's hard for the NBA to judge these kinds of requests.... [But] I'm really glad that Stack asked."

Dampier timetable

Erick Dampier's strained right shoulder kept the Mavs center from contact drills again Saturday. He's targeting a return Tuesday at Golden State, but said he can't be sure.

He's expected to miss his third consecutive game today.

"More than anything he's got to get contact, and I think it will be good for him when he gets back to practice on Monday," Avery Johnson said.

[left texas]

Hey, Bruce Bowen and been practicing a new defensive move that he will unleash on the Mavs. He just not sure if he wants to do it today, or wait for the playoffs. Bowen said "you always have to come up with something new against the Mavs.

[Rick41]

The mavs practice at the basement of the AAC?

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by Rick41

The mavs practice at the basement of the AAC?

Yes there is a practice court down there. I'm not sure it's actually under the real court. I think it's on the same level, ground level.

[Henry_VIII]

Originally Posted by left texas

Hey, Bruce Bowen and been practicing a new defensive move that he will unleash on the Mavs. He just not sure if he wants to do it today, or wait for the playoffs. Bowen said "you always have to come up with something new against the Mavs.

that just looks painful.
Anytime a foot makes contact with a face (that is nowhere near the floor) should be grounds for a suspension.

[G-Man]

Who is the victim, and when was that play?

[banpeikun]

wally szczerbiak, and it was from like 2002 or something

[banpeikun]

according to this article (http://www.findarticles.com/p/articl...4/ai_n10766055) dated march 2, 2002, it appears that it happened 03/01/2002.

[Henry_VIII]

Originally Posted by banpeikun

according to this article (http://www.findarticles.com/p/articl...4/ai_n10766055) dated march 2, 2002, it appears that it happened 03/01/2002.

It was considered a flagrant one.
Today an elbow warrants a suspension, whereas 5 years ago, a kick to the face is merely a foul later upgraded to a flagrant one.

[banpeikun]

wally was an all-star that year too... no respect for him.