Dirk's ankle - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

philb7777 · 11-27-2003, 05:30 PM

Is it my imagination or is Dirk rolling his ankles more with playing more inside than at forward? I got scalped for tickets to the Timberwolves game and I'm driving my kids around 500 miles to see it Sat night. Sure looks doubtful that Dirk will be ready for the game. Bummer. It's amazing how this team plays sooooo terrible when Dirk or Nash are out. Anyone who lives in Dallas hear any late breaking news on when Dirk will be back? Crossing my fingers that we will get to see him play Sat night..............

OzMavs · 11-27-2003, 05:37 PM

I am very disappointed with the Mavs draw this week- 2 x back to back games within the week. Is this a league-wide thing? It makes it hard to try and get Dirk back.

WayOutWest · 11-27-2003, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: philb7777
Is it my imagination or is Dirk rolling his ankles more with playing more inside than at forward? I got scalped for tickets to the Timberwolves game and I'm driving my kids around 500 miles to see it Sat night. Sure looks doubtful that Dirk will be ready for the game. Bummer. It's amazing how this team plays sooooo terrible when Dirk or Nash are out. Anyone who lives in Dallas hear any late breaking news on when Dirk will be back? Crossing my fingers that we will get to see him play Sat night..............

500 miles, holy smokes! Does Jet Blue operate in your area? It amazing how far 50 bucks will fly you with Jet Blue. I goto to Vegas now and then for 20-30 bucks from LA.

I hope Dirk shows up for your game.

Good luck.

dallas_esq · 11-27-2003, 06:34 PM

JetBlue does not service Dallas. Probably because American Airlines owns this town and former Senator Phil Graham.

bogey · 11-27-2003, 06:36 PM

You can fly Midwest Express or Southwest though for some sickly low fares.

dallas_esq · 11-27-2003, 06:41 PM

southwest.com

What happened?
Due to Wright Amendment restrictions we do not offer scheduled service between San Jose - SJC and Dallas Love - DAL.
What you need to do:
You may purchase an itinerary for travel between San Jose - SJC and Dallas Love - DAL by:

Purchasing two separate one-way or roundtrip itineraries involving an intermediate city.

NOTE: Southwest Airlines requires at least 45 minutes between arrival at the first destination point and the departure to the second destination.

See more details on Flight Restrictions at Dallas Love Field.
Reference Number: 100030 Occurred: 11/27/03 17:40:22

bogey · 11-27-2003, 06:46 PM

Why are you flying to San Jose? The game is in Minny.

BTW, the Wright Amendment is a huge load of beaurocratic crap.

LoveMyMavs14 · 11-28-2003, 06:28 PM

Dirk's out tonight for sure. Doubtful tomorrow.

MavsFanFinley · 11-29-2003, 02:00 AM

Nowitzki misses Friday's loss and will sit out Saturday's game

Saturday, November 29, 2003
By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News

DENVER – Dirk Nowitzki was on crutches, which spoke louder than words.

The 7-footer still couldn't put full weight on his sprained right ankle Friday at the Mavericks' shootaround. He missed Friday's loss against Denver and will miss Saturday night's home game against Minnesota.

"The last couple times I've done this, it didn't swell up," Nowitzki said before Friday's game, having improved enough to ditch the crutches. "This time, it swelled up, and it's still swollen, so I knew this one was worse.

"I'm struggling right now. It's going to be a few games, I think."

Nowitzki has missed games periodically because of sprains to both ankles. He said he may eventually have to have surgery for bone spurs on his right ankle as he did on the left in the summer of 2002.

The good news, he said, is that the only time he's had any other physical problems was the knee injury in last season's playoffs that cost him three games.

Asked if he thought Tuesday against Washington might be a possible return date, Nowitzki went into an Arnold Schwarzenegger tone and said, "I'll be back. I just don't know when."

MightyToine · 11-29-2003, 02:45 AM

This is HORRIBLE News. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

Now Nellie will REALLY have to find out who can do what on this team.....

FINLEY *MUST* become the GO-TO guy here....

Walker is okay but for him to take 30 shots to get 30 points is not exactly a good thing....

At least 10 of those shot-attempts should've gone to Finley and who knows? Maybe finley hits the shots out of those 10 that Walker missed and maybe we pull a win out of our asses??

We'll never know......

dude1394 · 11-29-2003, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: MightyToine
This is HORRIBLE News. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

Now Nellie will REALLY have to find out who can do what on this team.....

FINLEY *MUST* become the GO-TO guy here....

Walker is okay but for him to take 30 shots to get 30 points is not exactly a good thing....

At least 10 of those shot-attempts should've gone to Finley and who knows? Maybe finley hits the shots out of those 10 that Walker missed and maybe we pull a win out of our asses??

We'll never know......

ARRGGGG There is still 4 guys on the team that can average 20 points and we have to find a "go to guy". I think the first thing we have to find are "compete" guys, this is what seems to be missing.

dallas_esq · 11-29-2003, 12:06 PM

How about 5 Najeras? I would go to war with that team.

Misfit Mav · 11-30-2003, 03:21 PM

Any word on whether Dirk will be back in time for the Lakers game? That's going to be a big one.

sike · 11-30-2003, 04:01 PM

Any word on whether Dirk will be back in time for the Lakers game? That's going to be a big one.

no...no word yet...just thought you'd want to know that I have not heard anything yet....course I have not been listening...[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

LRB · 11-30-2003, 04:15 PM

If Dirk was on crutches the other day because of his ankle, then IMO he definitely should not come back for the Lakers game. We need him 100% healthy, not coming back for a quarter and a half only to resprain his ankle and be out for the next month. Better we go in planning to play W/O Dirk.

And we'll have the potato's 6 fouls to use on Shaq.

Misfit Mav · 11-30-2003, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: LRB
If Dirk was on crutches the other day because of his ankle, then IMO he definitely should not come back for the Lakers game. We need him 100% healthy, not coming back for a quarter and a half only to resprain his ankle and be out for the next month. Better we go in planning to play W/O Dirk.

And we'll have the potato's 6 fouls to use on Shaq.

You're right about that-- if there's any risk he definitely shouldn't come back. But as a fan, I'd really like to see a win over the Lakes and without Dirk that will be tough. Hopefully home cookin' will help us pull out the win.

LRB · 11-30-2003, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: Misfit Mav

Quote:

Originally posted by: LRB
If Dirk was on crutches the other day because of his ankle, then IMO he definitely should not come back for the Lakers game. We need him 100% healthy, not coming back for a quarter and a half only to resprain his ankle and be out for the next month. Better we go in planning to play W/O Dirk.

And we'll have the potato's 6 fouls to use on Shaq.

You're right about that-- if there's any risk he definitely shouldn't come back. But as a fan, I'd really like to see a win over the Lakes and without Dirk that will be tough. Hopefully home cookin' will help us pull out the win.

Yeah I'd love to see a win and see Dirk in a uni instead of that damned turtle neck sweater. But having had many ankle injuries myself and knowing how susceptible you are to additional ones until you've fully healed I don't want to see him back for the Lakers game. If you need crutches to walk because you can't put weight on it, you really should wait at least a couple of weeks after being off crutches before putting it at risk again. Dirk's had too many problems with his ankles this year already. Better to lose him for games now, than later in the season when we'll need him even more. And we have the depth to compensate as well as can be expected for his abscence. I want Dirk to get that ankle well and not have any more issues with it this year.

philb7777 · 11-30-2003, 09:23 PM

Just an FYI for you guys - made it to the 92-88 win. Kids dissapointed that Dirk sat out, but our seats were relatively close to the bench - about 20 rows up in the corner behind the Mavs bench. Dirk was off crutches but noticably limping when walking to the huddle. He sat right next to Cuban most of the night. Shawn Bradley was getting alot of flack on talk radio after the game for his effort. I'm a doc; and my wife and I noticed immediately after the first 3 minutes of the game that Shawn was having trouble breathing. I guarantee everyone that he has influenza. I heard Matt Pinto was sick too on the road in Denver. Could this start a Shawn/Pinto rumor? HA! We had a great time and the drive was well worth it. Kids made it on the jumbotron. We'll make the trip again January 25th to see the Kings (Qneens) play our Mavs. Hopefully Dirk and Nash and the rest will be healthy.

dallas_esq · 11-30-2003, 09:47 PM

Wow, thanks for the injury report Doc. Well done Sir! Hope the Mavs win next time you see them too!

LRB · 11-30-2003, 09:58 PM

Quote:

We'll make the trip again January 25th to see the Kings (Qneens) play our Mavs.

Maybe you can give us a medical explanation after this one why Chris Webber cries so much. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

dude1394 · 11-30-2003, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: philb7777
Just an FYI for you guys - made it to the 92-88 win. Kids dissapointed that Dirk sat out, but our seats were relatively close to the bench - about 20 rows up in the corner behind the Mavs bench. Dirk was off crutches but noticably limping when walking to the huddle. He sat right next to Cuban most of the night. Shawn Bradley was getting alot of flack on talk radio after the game for his effort. I'm a doc; and my wife and I noticed immediately after the first 3 minutes of the game that Shawn was having trouble breathing. I guarantee everyone that he has influenza. I heard Matt Pinto was sick too on the road in Denver. Could this start a Shawn/Pinto rumor? HA! We had a great time and the drive was well worth it. Kids made it on the jumbotron. We'll make the trip again January 25th to see the Kings (Qneens) play our Mavs. Hopefully Dirk and Nash and the rest will be healthy.

You weren't the guys throwing the 9 year old kid up and down in the air were you. I have to agree with you about shawn, he looked absolutely horrible.

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

philb7777 · 12-01-2003, 10:18 PM

Nope, wasn't us. My kids don't fly. As for Webber crying, I think he is still haunted by the time out call he did in the NCAA finals. He is a whiner isn't he?

philb7777 · 12-01-2003, 10:21 PM

As for the influenza virus, it can spread rapidly with just casual contact. The 'flu shot' routinely given in early fall won't protect against this strain currently infecting people in TX and OK. There is a medicine called Tamiflu that can protect people when given early. On the Mavs last road trip no doubt that all were exposed from Shawn. Hopefully the Mavs team doc is covering them all with Tamiflu. The incubation phase is around 5 days so I hope we have a healthy team for the Laker game coming up this week.

grndmstr_c · 12-01-2003, 10:55 PM

I read (I think on DMN) that Shawn has Bronchitis.

MavsFanFinley · 12-01-2003, 11:38 PM

Taken from the DMN:

Nowitzki is still on the mend

Dirk Nowitzi will miss his third game with a sprained right ankle when he sits out Tuesday's visit by the Washington Wizards.

Nowitzki still was unable to practice Monday and could miss "a couple more games," coach Don Nelson said.

"I'm trying to use it as a positive, not a negative," he said. "The other guys have to step up and play well for us to win. We'll use it not as an excuse, but as a stepping-stone to try to get better."

ames7 · 12-02-2003, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Nowitzki still was unable to practice Monday and could miss "a couple more games," coach Don Nelson said

&*#$. #*&$!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img]

EricaLubarsky · 12-02-2003, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: grndmstr_c
I read (I think on DMN) that Shawn has Bronchitis.

he looked horrible the other night- like he couldnt walk

LRB · 12-02-2003, 05:26 AM

I wish Dirk could get the flu while his ankle is bummed out so he could get it over with while he's already out. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

Maringa · 12-02-2003, 08:40 AM

A few questions about Dirk's ankle:

1)How many here are knowledgeable enough about ankle injuries to give a long term prognosis of Dirk's ankles?
2)Is this something he is going to have to deal with for the remainder of his career? 10 games on, 10 games off, etc?
3) Is there not enough medical technology available to improve bracing?
4) Does he have the potential to have Grant Hill's ankles?
5) Assuming that it is a given that he will have 3 or 4 of these episodes a year, is this a risk the Mavs are going to have to take, knowing that playoff games are more physical, etc. and that he may be out a few playoff games, or series?
6) If this is not a risk the Mavs want to take, should they (shudder!!!) consider trading him while his value is high, and get someone like a Tracy McGrady, or similar? (I'll admit, I don't know if his value could get someone like McGrady)
7) Does the Mav's offense change so that the risk of him hurting his ankle is reduced?

I noticed that most of his ankle sprains come from the offensive end, especially after a drive. A change in offense may mean concentrating on 3 pointers, or midrange jumpers. To get the ball down low, he would have to already position himself closer to the basket (which he is not good at) and avoid the drive around his player altogether. Also Dirk seems a little careless when up in the air - it may take his concentration off his shot, but sometimes a player can learn to land on his feet in a way that reduces the risk of ankle sprains. Basically you reduce a little bit of your vertical jump, and you learn offensive moves/shots which leave you planted closer to the ground.

CenS · 12-02-2003, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: LRB
I wish Dirk could get the flu while his ankle is bummed out so he could get it over with while he's already out. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

That is a horrible thing to wish upon someone. If he gets sick he gets sick, and is probably better if he is already out with an ankle injury, but don't wish it. That is just wrong... bceause if he does get sick, more than likely someone else on the team that is playing will get sick. I.E. Nash.

be careful what you wish for.

philb7777 · 12-02-2003, 09:24 AM

Re: Dirks ankles and long term prognosis.....

It actually depends upon what degree of sprain occurs in the ankle:

1st degree - minimal stretching of ligaments - recovery complete without lingering effects

2nd degree - severe stretching of ligaments without tearing - usually complete recovery but with repetitive injury of a second degree nature can make the joint 'lax' and make on prone for further instability and injury

3rd degree - actually tearing of the ligaments - joint usually never stable long term and may require surgery for hopeful resolution of problem; however surgery marginally successful in ankles unlike great success with knees

I think Dirk falls in the 2nd degree category. He needs to do two things in my opinion: change shoes to ones with much better ankle support (Nike Mysticals are average at best for ankle support) and get custom braces made for both ankles, not just the affected one.

Folks, this will likely remain a lingering problem...........

LRB · 12-02-2003, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: CenS

Quote:

Originally posted by: LRB
I wish Dirk could get the flu while his ankle is bummed out so he could get it over with while he's already out. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

That is a horrible thing to wish upon someone. If he gets sick he gets sick, and is probably better if he is already out with an ankle injury, but don't wish it. That is just wrong... bceause if he does get sick, more than likely someone else on the team that is playing will get sick. I.E. Nash.

be careful what you wish for.

I only mentioned it because there are other on the team who are sick. Bradley. I would never wish it on any player, and certainly not on Dirk. But if he has to get it, I'd rather it be while he's already out.

BTW please notice the "[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]" on the end of my 1st post.

MavsFanFinley · 12-02-2003, 11:02 AM

Taken from the FWST:

Quote:

The Mavs are without Dirk Nowitzki (sprained right ankle) for tonight's game against Washington. Nowitzki didn't practice Monday but did some limited shooting after practice. It appears unlikely he'll be ready for Thursday's home game against the Lakers.

"He'll be out a couple more games," Mavs coach Don Nelson said, before adding, "I don't know what a couple more games means."

dude1394 · 12-02-2003, 12:01 PM

Quote:

I think Dirk falls in the 2nd degree category. He needs to do two things in my opinion: change shoes to ones with much better ankle support (Nike Mysticals are average at best for ankle support) and get custom braces made for both ankles, not just the affected one.

Folks, this will likely remain a lingering problem...........

Great post. Is there a limitation of movement with these custom braces? I'm curious why he hasn't done it and more folks don't.

Also I was thinking that possibly if he put on about 50 pounds and became MORE of an inside guy (shooting hooks, little jump hooks, etc.) the possibility of injury might be smaller. Any thoughts on that.

I actually was talking to my bud about two years ago about this and it seems to be coming to fruition. Something needs to change.

seelenjaeger · 12-02-2003, 12:21 PM

Also I was thinking that possibly if he put on about 50 pounds and became MORE of an inside guy (shooting hooks, little jump hooks, etc.) the possibility of injury might be smaller. Any thoughts on that.

Well, he would certainly not leave the ground anymore. Are you serious about that???

LRB · 12-02-2003, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: seelenjaeger
Also I was thinking that possibly if he put on about 50 pounds and became MORE of an inside guy (shooting hooks, little jump hooks, etc.) the possibility of injury might be smaller. Any thoughts on that.

Well, he would certainly not leave the ground anymore. Are you serious about that???

I don't know SJ, depending on how the weight was applied he could still be all right or even jump higher possibly. If it was a goodly portion fat, then know, we would definitely be ground bound.

I would like to see Dirk get the same sort of weight gain MJ did right before he became the greatest player every to play the game. MJ gained several pounds and still increased his already impressive vertical from 44" to 48".

dude1394 · 12-02-2003, 01:06 PM

Well if I understand it his mentor was trying to get 25 pounds on him already. I guess it seems that he gets hurt right now driving to the lane and jumping amongst a lot of folks. If he were able to get a lower post position, smaller shots would work ala duncan. I see no reason that dirk couldn't be as effective in the low-blocks as duncan. But he doesn't have the muscle to get that low in the blocks.

Walkerforthree · 12-02-2003, 02:53 PM

to me, this seems like nelllie, again, trying to hold dirk back. IMO he should be ready by the LA game, even if Dough Boy doesn't play him, which is a guaranteed loss then.

bernardos70 · 12-03-2003, 11:22 AM

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/ba...ll/7402557.htm
Dirk's ankle needs time to heal
By Art Garcia
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

DALLAS - Dirk Nowitzki's return to the lineup is likely to be later rather than sooner. The Mavericks' All-Star forward, sidelined since spraining his right ankle at Phoenix on Nov. 26, had hoped to return this week, but it now appears he won't be back until next week at the earliest.

"I'm taking it day-by-day," Nowitzki said after the Mavs' 97-72 win over Washington on Tuesday night. "It's getting a little better. It still has some swelling. It was a really bad sprain. It hasn't even been a week."

Mavs coach Don Nelson didn't consider placing Nowitzki on the injured list. If Nowitzki is out the rest of the week as expected -- home games Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers and Saturday against Orlando -- he will have missed five games.

"I wanted to play Thursday," Nowitzki said. "It's one of the biggest games of the season. Maybe Saturday. We'll see."

But Nowitzki added: "It's not about the Lakers. I want to play every day."

Nowitzki said there isn't much he can do to avoid sprains. He already wears braces and tapes both ankles heavily.

"If you drive to the basket, you're going to step on somebody's foot," he said. "You see it in the league all the time. Hopefully when I come back it doesn't happen for a long time.

"You can't succeed if you play tentatively. You have to leave it all on the court."

The Mavs do have a three-day break after playing the Magic, with the next game coming against the Los Angeles Clippers on Dec. 10.

"It gives other people an opportunity to step up and to play well," Nelson said. "So if we can find those people, or that person or whoever it is, if it's Josh Howard and friends ... the main thing is keep winning. Find a way to win no matter what happens."

LRB · 12-03-2003, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: dude1394
Well if I understand it his mentor was trying to get 25 pounds on him already. I guess it seems that he gets hurt right now driving to the lane and jumping amongst a lot of folks. If he were able to get a lower post position, smaller shots would work ala duncan. I see no reason that dirk couldn't be as effective in the low-blocks as duncan. But he doesn't have the muscle to get that low in the blocks.

I totally agree. And it's possible to add muscle to a degree w/0 decreasing agility and explosiveness in jumping. And as I've stated before it might even add to these.