Nowitzki likes what he's seeing these days

[kriD]

Nowitzki likes what he's seeing these days

Dirk glad Mavericks aren't playing like it's still November

By DAVID MOORE / The Dallas Morning News


PORTLAND, Ore. — It was another dreary, overcast day in the Pacific Northwest.

That would have described Dirk Nowitzki’s outlook on the Mavericks earlier this season. But as the team completed the first half of its schedule Wednesday night in Portland, Nowitzki’s assessment has changed.

“I think the way we’ve looked lately is a little surprising.” Nowitzki said before the Mavericks’ 95-88 win over the Trail Blazers. “I was a little frustrated in November when we lost a lot of home games. I thought it was going to be a tougher season than where we are right now.

“I’m actually pretty pleased by the way we’ve played for the last month and a half.”

Dallas is on a 56-win pace after Wednesday’s game. Only five teams in the league have a better record. The Mavericks’ geographic curse is that four of them are in the Western Conference.

Acting head coach Avery Johnson said the Mavericks are about where he thought they would be in terms of the standings. And what about in terms of performance?

“I thought we would maybe be on another level in terms of improvement, but we got off to such a slow start,” Johnson said. “Not so much by record, but we were all over the place in a lot of different ways.”

The consistency has improved in recent weeks now that Jason Terry is lending a steady hand at the point. But Johnson stressed the Mavericks must continue to improve defensively in the second half.

“We still have a long way to go,” Nowitzki said. “We all know that.”

At least now the team can say it’s halfway there.

Howard update: Mavericks forward Josh Howard missed his second consecutive game with back spasms.

Howard did only light work in the morning shootaround and wasn’t going to push himself until he warmed up before the game. The back bothered him each time he jumped, making the decision easy.

What will Avery Johnson have to see before he’s comfortable playing Howard?

“Probably, I’ll do my own individual test,” Johnson said. “I’ll go elbow him in the back. You know, I elbow pretty hard. Maybe not as hard as the Mailman (Karl Malone] or John Stockton, but I can elbow.

“If he can withstand my elbows, then I’ll let him play.”

Briefly: Marquis Daniels hasn’t practiced with the Mavericks on this road trip, but he has run and shot on the side under the direction of Robert Hackett, the team’s strength and conditioning coach. Daniels has missed the last 13 games with a sore left ankle.

The Mavericks have imposed a one-dunk limit on Dirk Nowitzki in practice the day of a game. After his one dunk Wednesday, coach Avery Johnson jumped off the scorer’s table and yelled that he would double the fine if Nowitzki did it again. “I give him one dunk every shootaround because otherwise he’ll dunk it five times,” Johnson said. “You’ve got to save that energy for the game.” … Nowitzki spent part of Tuesday shooting a commercial for Nike Germany.

[endtroducing]

someone PLEASE tell us when Marquis will be back...

[jibikao]

The Mavericks have imposed a one-dunk limit on Dirk Nowitzki in practice the day of a game. After his one dunk Wednesday, coach Avery Johnson jumped off the scorer’s table and yelled that he would double the fine if Nowitzki did it again. “I give him one dunk every shootaround because otherwise he’ll dunk it five times,” Johnson said. “You’ve got to save that energy for the game.” … Nowitzki spent part of Tuesday shooting a commercial for Nike Germany.
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Is Avery serious about this or it's a funny joke?

Well, it makes sense... but I thought it's funny that Dirk is limited to one dunk only or he'll get fined. LOL

[Simon2]

Originally posted by: jibikao
The Mavericks have imposed a one-dunk limit on Dirk Nowitzki in practice the day of a game. After his one dunk Wednesday, coach Avery Johnson jumped off the scorer’s table and yelled that he would double the fine if Nowitzki did it again. “I give him one dunk every shootaround because otherwise he’ll dunk it five times,” Johnson said. “You’ve got to save that energy for the game.” … Nowitzki spent part of Tuesday shooting a commercial for Nike Germany.
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Is Avery serious about this or it's a funny joke?

Well, it makes sense... but I thought it's funny that Dirk is limited to one dunk only or he'll get fined. LOL

This one is kinda funny. I guess AJ also has some strange ideas of his own.

[irontoad]

What will Avery Johnson have to see before he’s comfortable playing Howard?

“Probably, I’ll do my own individual test,” Johnson said. “I’ll go elbow him in the back. You know, I elbow pretty hard. Maybe not as hard as the Mailman (Karl Malone] or John Stockton, but I can elbow.

“If he can withstand my elbows, then I’ll let him play.”

Judging from things like this, I'd probably say Avery's joking about the dunking thing...