Howard's back; Mavs can breathe easier

[MavsFanFinley]

Howard's back; Mavs can breathe easier
Team missed his defensive presence in three games he sat out

By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News

Don Nelson didn't have to think long when asked about the Mavericks' defense the last three games.

"It's a lot better," he said, "when Josh Howard is out there."

The three games Howard missed with sinus and respiratory infections gave a clear indication of his value on the defensive end. All three opponents scored above their season averages, and the shooting percentages for two of the three were abnormally high.

The Mavericks hope those trends start reversing tonight, when Howard is expected to return to action against the Washington Wizards at American Airlines Center.

Howard went through part of Monday's practice and though he hasn't licked his ailments, he's on the downhill side. He said this illness was similar to one that knocked him out for 10 days as a sophomore at Wake Forest.

"I feel a lot better," he said. "We'll see how I am at the shootaround."

His return won't come soon enough for the Mavericks, who were blistered for 124 points by offensively challenged Houston and allowed San Antonio to shoot 50 percent. In addition, New Jersey, the lowest-scoring team in the league, had 93 points Saturday.

"He's our best defender," said Dirk Nowitzki. "And he's one of the best rebounders in the league at his position. We've missed him the past couple games. He's always making plays for us."

Howard's impact defensively is so great because he can guard anybody on the opposing team except centers. He normally starts games against the opponent's best player. But he is not a Bruce Bowen-type defensive specialist. His offense and his rebounding have turned him into the Mavericks' second-best player.

After the last three games, they know that Howard-less is no way to go through any extended stretch.

Jamison returns:

Antawn Jamison won a sixth-man award last season with the Mavericks. This year, he could be homing in on his first all-star appearance.

The 6-9 forward has been the biggest catalyst for Washington's impressive turnaround. They were riding a seven-game winning streak before losing at San Antonio on Monday.

"He's tough to guard because he gets his shot up so quick," Dirk Nowitzki said.

Asked what he remembers most about Jamison from his one year in Dallas, Nowitzki said: "He was always in a good mood. I don't ever remember him coming to the locker room without a smile. You need those guys in the locker room."

Point man:

With his second point tonight, Dirk Nowitzki will pass 10,000.

"It's a nice accomplishment," he said. "But hopefully there will be a lot more 10,000s to come."

Nowitzki will join Mark Aguirre, Rolando Blackman, Derek Harper and Michael Finley as Mavericks with 10,000 or more points.

Nowitzki said his left ankle was fine Monday. He rested it Sunday after tweaking it in the first half Saturday against New Jersey. Asked if it was good as new, he said: "I wish."

Full boat:

For the first time this season, every player on the roster was on the practice court Monday, including Tariq Abdul-Wahad .

Abdul-Wahad has been working out individually but was cleared to begin practicing with the team and was able to go through most of practice.

Owner Mark Cuban said Abdul-Wahad passed the conditioning drills that he was required to complete to begin practicing.

The coaching staff will determine if Abdul-Wahad can play in the future, Cuban said.

Briefly:

About 700 tickets remain unsold for tonight's game. ... Erick Dampier sat out practice to rest his sore left knee but is expected to play tonight. ... Don Nelson had an MRI on his right shoulder Monday and will find out today if he needs surgery. ... Dirk Nowitzki said he likes the green retro uniforms the Mavericks will wear tonight but has been told "it's not really a good look for me, from what I hear."

[EricaLubarsky]

Asked what he remembers most about Jamison from his one year in Dallas, Nowitzki said: "He was always in a good mood. I don't ever remember him coming to the locker room without a smile. You need those guys in the locker room."

I love that we have Jason Terry here combined with Nowitzki's reserved but jovial personality and Finley/AJ's veteran leadership

For the first time this season, every player on the roster was on the practice court Monday, including Tariq Abdul-Wahad .

Wow....if he knows anything about playing and the doctors insist that he is healthy, then we may have to have a new guy.

[DubOverdose]

[quote]
Originally posted by: EricaLubarsky

Wow....if he knows anything about playing and the doctors insist that he is healthy, then we may have to have a new guy.

I've never seen him play before. I've heard he's a pretty good defender. Anyone have a 'scouting report' on him? What kind of offensive player is he?

[FilthyFinMavs]

I've only seen him play when he was suited up for us in his limited time and he couldn't find the bucket on offense but i'm guessing he has some sort of mid range game because he was mostly shooting mid rangers. He can definately D it up.

[EricaLubarsky]

Have a good memory of him on a one-man fastbreak where he finished with a dunk at the buzzer at halftime. Other than I havent seen a whole lot out of him.

[The Miles]

He is a hell of a defender, instantly our 2nd best behind Josh Howard.

I hope he is healthy, I think he could help.

[MavsFanFinley]

Howard practices, could play

By Art Garcia
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

DALLAS - Mavericks small forward Josh Howard returned to practice Monday and could be back on the floor tonight against Washington.

Howard nearly made it through the entire workout at American Airlines Center before fatigue set in. He's dropped about eight pounds from his 6-foot-7, 210-pound frame during a weeklong bout with an upper respiratory infection. He's missed the past three games.

"I'm winded, as you can probably tell," Howard said after the extended practice.

Whenever Howard does return -- his playing status against the Wizards will be determined after this morning's shootaround -- the Mavs defense will certainly receive a boast. Dirk Nowitzki likened the second-year forward to San Antonio stopper Bruce Bowen.

"We basically put him on their best player," Nowitzki said. "It doesn't matter if he's a power forward or a point guard."

Howard's length and athleticism have been missed. With guard Marquis Daniels on the injured list, Michael Finley and Jerry Stackhouse are the only true shooting guards/small forwards on the active roster.

"It's not as good without Josh," coach Don Nelson said of his team's perimeter defense. "Mike and Stack can't guard me."

Abdul-Wahad back

Three months after claiming the Mavs conspired to keep him from playing in the NBA, forward Tariq Abdul-Wahad attended practice for the first time this season on Monday. A virtual non-entity in the team's plans for the past two seasons, Abdul-Wahad has passed the necessary physicals needed to resume on-court activity.

The Mavs had hoped to buy out the remaining three years on Abdul-Wahad's contract. Only half of his $7.3 million salary for next season is guaranteed. The guarantee is 25 percent on $7.9 for the following season.

The Mavs are interested in moving Abdul-Wahad. Though it's unlikely a team would gamble on his playing, a trading partner could be interested in the financial benefits of dealing for Abdul-Wahad. Though his salary cap figure is $15.2 million for the next two years, only $5.6 million has to be paid.

As for the claims Abdul-Wahad made against the team and coach Don Nelson on his French-language Web site in October, Mavs owner Mark Cuban said: "You have to ask him."

Abdul-Wahad declined comment after practice.

Getting defensive

Breaking down the past two games -- Friday's loss at San Antonio and Sunday's win over New Jersey -- revealed improvement across the board.

"There were a lot of things offensively and defensively that we didn't execute as well as we wanted to, but there were a lot of good things," assistant coach Avery Johnson said. "We actually played some really good defense against New Jersey and at the end of the San Antonio game.

"I'm trying to get our team to play that type of defense for longer stretches. We'll do it for four- or six-minute stretches. Now we need it for 12-minute stretches."

The Mavs don't need 48 minutes of that type of defensive intensity, Johnson said. He just wants it up to 38-40 minutes per game instead of the usual 32.

Exclusive club

Dirk Nowitzki had no idea he needed two more points during Saturday's win over New Jersey to reach 10,000 for his career. With a basket tonight, he will join Rolando Blackman, Mark Aguirre, Derek Harper and Michael Finley in the Mavs' 10,000-point club.

Aguirre accomplished the feat in the fewest games (406) in franchise history. Nowitzki has appeared in 478 games. Finley needed 487 games.

"It's an nice thing to do, but I want to focus on other things," Nowitzki said.

Briefly

• Don Nelson underwent an MRI on his right shoulder Monday and should have the results today. The Mavs coach has been experiencing pain in the shoulder and expects to have surgery.

• Erick Dampier (left knee contusion) didn't practice Monday, but could play tonight. He experienced swelling in the knee after Saturday's game.

• All 15 players on the roster were at practice for the first time this season.

[rakesh.s]

wahad will probably be showcased for a few games and then be packaged with darrell armstrong for something we don't need..*sigh*

[Rhylan]

Originally posted by: rakesh.s
wahad will probably be showcased for a few games and then be packaged with darrell armstrong for something we don't need..*sigh*

We can dream. I can't think of very many players that we need less than TAW and DA. How do you spell spare? T A W D A.

[DubOverdose]

Actually DA has been quite effective the last two games. He comes on to court with a lot of energy and changes things up. Someone we don't need is Booth. I'm really shocked he hasn't played more since I thought Nellie liked him a lot.

[sike]

"It's a nice accomplishment," he said. "But hopefully there will be a lot more 10,000s to come."

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