Josh Howard to see doc tomorrow (Wed)

[V]

By Mike Fisher and David Lord -- DallasBasketball.com
For some of the wounded Mavs, rest is the only healer. But for never-at-rest Josh Howard, a Wednesday visit to the doctor is scheduled.

Howard, playing through the discomfort of a hamstring problem – and playing well enough to have contributed 42 minutes, 15 points and 10 rebounds in Tuesday’s 98-94 home preseason loss to the Spurs – tells DB.com that favoring the hammy is causing some soreness to his knee.

“Just to be safe, I’m going to the doctor tomorrow,’’ J-Ho told us.

Now, let's call this precautionary. But let's also note that Dallas can hardly afford to lose Josh. Not with the way is playing and not with the way his mates are missing. The Mavs injury problem is extensive. During preseason, the bug has at different times bitten Shawn Bradley, Erick Dampier, Marquis Daniels, Dan Dickau, Michael Finley, Devin Harris, Josh Howard, Dirk Nowitzki, Pavel Podkolzin, Jerry Stackhouse and Jason Terry.

That’s pretty much everybody.

Colleague Chuck Cooperstein put it very succinctly to us late Tuesday night as we reflected on what’s been accomplished in camp: “This,’’ Coop opined, “has been a wasted month.’’

And now, suddenly, it’s time for the next month. With Daniels’ ankle so serious that he hasn’t played at all, and the Mavs quite worried that Finley (hamstring) and Stackhouse (thigh contusion) might join Marquis (ankle) in missing the Nov. 2 regular-season opener and beyond, it is hoped November won’t be a wasted month as well.

“I think right now,’’ Dampier said, “a lot of guys are just tired.’’

Make that “sick and tired.’’ How deep is the injury bug’s bite? Nellie missed the game with the flu, leaving Avery Johnson to run the show. (“Well, I’m 0-1,’’ AJ said, smiling.) Personnel man Ro Blackman has even been laid up for the last few weeks with a bad back. Radio analyst Brad Davis even sat out Tuesday.

On the one hand, as DB.com’s Professor Dennis Hans notes, someone needs to please tell Michael Finley and the fellas that there’s nothing magical about Nov. 2.

Troublesome hamstrings have their own timetables, and they don’t heal any faster just because the start of the season approaches. Fin, Stack, Daniels and JET sat out Tuesday’s loss, and that’s perfectly fine. They need to continue trying to get well first, and once they do, minutes can gradually be built up.

On the other hand, that gradual building of minutes could coincide with a gradual buildup of losses.

[sike]

this injury thing is a freakin joke....I cannot ever remember this many important pieces being hurt before a season started before....
Howard needs to be ok for this team to have a decent start to the season.

[VivaNajera]

looks like we will be starting hood or sasser on opening night

[Poindexter Einstein]

Neither will be on the roster by then.

[JD45]

If TAW claims he is healthy, make him play.

I think a player can still play 10 games without resetting the two year injury clock. Make him play 48 minutes a night. If he is healed, fine. If not, there won't be any doubt.

He can't be any worse than Sasser or Hood.

[DubOverdose]

Dickau, Harris, and Terry can cover the guard spots. Dirk can move to the 3, Booth-Benga-Damp-Bradley can cover the power positions.

[Blonde Bomber]

my question is why is Nellie playing a key part to an allready depleated roster 42 minutes on a sore hammy....makes no sense what so ever. They should have shut him down to make sure he can play at the start of the season..


but everybody's right.....what's up with all the injuries? We may be getting off to a slow start this season.

[sike]

my question is why is Nellie playing a key part to an allready depleated roster 42 minutes on a sore hammy....makes no sense what so ever.

that question should be addressed to AJ.

[alby]

i guarantee on opening night, everyone with the exception of marquis will play. ^_~

[sike]

Originally posted by: alby
i guarantee on opening night, everyone with the exception of marquis will play. ^_~

or what?

[Dirkenstien]

This injury bug is getting to be pretty bad but if it comes down to it I would much rather see our guys sit out the first half of November and be in good shape for the rest of the season than not allow anytime to heal and have reoccuring injuries throughout the season.

Hopefully our backups can step up and capitalize on this opportunity.

[alby]

or what?

hah i dont know, im always wrong anyways.. so it wont be anything new lol.

back to the subject at hand, how are jho's hamstrings so weak considering hes still young and not yet even hitting his prime in terms of physical/mental condition. what has his injury history been? was he hurt any at wake? just wondering..

[Phil Helmuth]

The Mav's are soft. I'm serious.

[chumdawg]

Soft was the way you laid down for Annie Duke. She ran over you like Erick Dampier through the West!

[Phil Helmuth]

Ah that was a low blow. Using Annie on me is almost as bad as Nellie busting on Bradley.

[sike]

Originally posted by: Phil Helmuth
The Mav's are soft. I'm serious.

sigh...