Timeout: Mavs need chance to rebound

[MavsFanFinley]

Timeout: Mavs need chance to rebound
After a rough stretch, Nelson can scrutinize team more carefully

By MIKE HEIKA / The Dallas Morning News

Don Nelson looked as tired as his team Tuesday night.

The Mavericks' Erick Dampier has not played many minutes in the last two games, including seven against Golden State. With the Mavericks playing six games in nine days (going 3-3 in that span), their coach said it was time to take a break – and inventory.

With a day off Wednesday and two days of practice before starting a less hectic – six games in 19 days – schedule that will take them into the new year, Nelson said now is the time to find out where this 15-9 team fits into the NBA landscape.

"We're going to use this as a building process and try to get where this team needs to be in the next three days," Nelson said. "Then, over the next six to eight weeks, you'll find out who we are."

Nelson said the team looks "a bit confused" – and he has real evidence to sort through. First, the point guard situation is a puzzle. Veteran Jason Terry's minutes have decreased since the Mavericks traded for Darrell Armstrong. Rookie Devin Harris has played no more than five minutes in any of the last five games.

That leaves Armstrong as the court leader.

"This is my first time being traded, and it's a little tough. I'm still trying to learn the playbook," Armstrong said. "I've got to catch up, because I want to be out there together with my team. I don't want to be out there where four other guys are doing one thing and I'm doing something else."

In addition to melding Armstrong into the lineup, the Mavericks also have to find a way to use Jerry Stackhouse and the now healthy Michael Finley at the same time. They did that Tuesday against Golden State, and the two combined for 51 points, but the Mavericks allowed the Warriors to shoot 50 percent from the floor, including 9-of-20 on 3-pointers.

"I know it's tough for Coach," Stackhouse said. "It's just a matter of getting the right unit in and building some continuity. With Michael and myself out there on the wings, we're more of a scoring threat."

The Mavericks also have to decide how to attack teams defensively. Because Armstrong and Terry have been getting beat by opposing point guards off the dribble, the Mavericks have played a lot of zone in recent games. When they play zone, it usually means Shawn Bradley is in and Erick Dampier is on the bench. Dampier, who signed a seven-year, $73 million contract before this season, played seven minutes against Golden State on Tuesday and was pulled against Chicago on Monday.

But Nelson said adjustments will be made in the coming days and weeks.

"It's a good schedule, one where we can build our teamwork," Nelson said. "Hopefully, everyone will be healthy enough to have our rotation in order and we can go through some time where we can identify exactly who we need to be every night."

Because, who the Mavericks need to be, Finley said, is a winning team.

"We definitely have some winnable games, but you can't just go out there and show up," Finley said. "We have to take it one game at a time, but in the overall scheme of things, by the end of the year, we should win all of these games."

[The Miles]

Stack and Finley on the court at the same time is bad for the Mavericks.

So, you know Nelson find a way to get them out there at least half the game together. Joy!

[GoMavsGo]

just get kidd in here already

[The Miles]

Marquis Daniels, Jerry Stackhouse, and Darrell Armstrong

for

Jason Kidd

I would do that so quickly. Everyone worries about sending Quis but SG is the easiest spot to find talent. Hell, we could go out and sign Rickey Paulding as soon as the trade goes down and begin to develop him as the future at SG.

It isn't hard to find SGs.

[MavKikiNYC]

Nelson said the team looks "a bit confused"

No shit.


What he doesn't acknowledge is that HE is responsible for the confusion.

[kg_veteran]

The Mavericks also have to decide how to attack teams defensively. Because Armstrong and Terry have been getting beat by opposing point guards off the dribble, the Mavericks have played a lot of zone in recent games. When they play zone, it usually means Shawn Bradley is in and Erick Dampier is on the bench. Dampier, who signed a seven-year, $73 million contract before this season, played seven minutes against Golden State on Tuesday and was pulled against Chicago on Monday.

This kind of comment makes me immediately put this Mike Heika guy into the clueless beat reporter category.

A lot of zone means Bradley in and Dampier out?

In the last 7 games, Bradley is averaging 10.2 mpg. Bradley isn't usually doing anything other than sitting in Nelson's doghouse.

[jibikao]

Originally posted by: MavKikiNYC

No shit.


What he doesn't acknowledge is that HE is responsible for the confusion.

Yeah no shit. LOL I am amazed Nelson would use the word "a bit".... I wonder what happens if he said "very"...

Jimmy

[MavsFanFinley]

Nowitzki refuses to make excuses

By Art Garcia
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki wasn't going to blame a pair of subpar performances on his sore lower back, but it's clear he's not 100 percent. Nowitzki admitted after Tuesday's loss to Golden State that he doesn't feel "great" and was looking forward to some time off.

Nowitzki and the Mavs are in the midst of a welcomed three-day break after the stunning 111-107 setback to the Warriors at American Airlines Center. The Mavs (15-9) will attempt to snap their three-game home losing streak Saturday against Atlanta.

Nowitzki scored 13 points on 3-of-13 shooting against Golden State, his lowest total in a complete game this season. He scored 11 at Denver last month but left the game after spraining his ankle in the second quarter.

He has made only 7 of 31 attempts from the field (22.6 percent) over the past two games -- he was 4-of-18 Monday at Chicago -- and hasn't been as active on the boards. Averaging more than 10 rebounds this season, he has grabbed a total of 13 the past two games.

"There is no excuse," Nowitzki said. "Once I step out onto the floor, I have to be good."

Nowitzki fell to second in the league in scoring behind Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. Nowitzki is averaging 26.5 points, while Bryant is averaging 27.1.

Mavs coach Don Nelson is amazed Nowitzki is even playing. Nowitzki took a hard fall on his back Dec. 9 against Seattle, but hasn't missed a game.

"Dirk is all beat up ever since he had that fall," Nelson said. "I don't know how he played in Houston [on Saturday]. He's had a tough go of it. I really appreciate and respect the fact that he's out there giving what he has, which is not a whole lot right now."

Schedule break

The Mavs take on Atlanta, another struggling club, Saturday. The Hawks are the fourth game for the Mavs in a six-game stretch against teams with losing records.

"We want to end this calendar year on a positive note," guard Michael Finley said. "We definitely have some winnable games."

The Mavs are fortunate to be 2-1 during this run, having routed Houston on Saturday before rallying to steal a win at Chicago on Monday. Golden State ended the brief winning streak Tuesday.

"We have a nice stretch of games now for practice and rest, and we're going to make the most of it," said Don Nelson of the current three-day respite.

The Mavs have another two days off after Saturday. They'll travel to New York on Tuesday before finishing the season series with the Hawks at Atlanta the next night. Another three-day break follows, taking the Mavs through Christmas.

"Our goal is to go into the Christmas break 18-9," guard Jerry Stackhouse said. "We need to get these three games."

Briefly

• Michael Finley's Buckets for Hunger Thanksgiving Challenge benefiting the North Texas Food Bank raised $80,057 during November. The amount is equivalent to about a half-million meals for area families. Finley, along with Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Jerry Stackhouse, Erick Dampier and corporate partner Dave & Buster's, an arcade and restaurant chain, matched donations from fans.

• Jerry Stackhouse said his 27-point effort against Golden State, which included a 19-point third quarter, should come as no surprise.

"That's who I am," said Stackhouse, whose third-period outburst was the highest-scoring quarter for a Maverick this season. "It's a new role to be the sixth man. I'm ready to go when [Don Nelson] calls upon me."

[jayC]

Well miles stack and finley weren't responsible for the mavs loss to the Warriors. Dirk was however shooting 3-13 from the floor. How about that Damp getting in Early foul trouble. I 'm not convinced that Kidd will be the end all for all the mavs current struggle. Oh the Raptors defeated the T-Wolves by 6, Trailblazers loss to the Cavs 112-88. The kings struggled early on as well. The only teams that are playing really well are the Suns and the Sonics.

[jibikao]

"Dirk is all beat up ever since he had that fall," Nelson said. "I don't know how he played in Houston [on Saturday]. He's had a tough go of it. I really appreciate and respect the fact that he's out there giving what he has, which is not a whole lot right now."
----------------------------

What is Nelson trying to say? So, he knew Dirk was hurt and not playing well. So he knew he won't get much from him and yet Dirk still played 41 mins? What a good coaching decision.

Jimmy

[jibikao]

Originally posted by: jibikao
"Dirk is all beat up ever since he had that fall," Nelson said. "I don't know how he played in Houston [on Saturday]. He's had a tough go of it. I really appreciate and respect the fact that he's out there giving what he has, which is not a whole lot right now."
----------------------------

What is Nelson trying to say? So, he knew Dirk was hurt and not playing well. So he knew he won't get much from him and yet Dirk still played 41 mins? What a good coaching decision.

Now you know what I mean that Nelson is hurting Dirk's career.

Jimmy

[bloodyhell]

Dirk should be resting for a couple games. I thought he should have rested the game before g.s. and also g.s. That would have given him a lot of time to recoup.

We get more serious when someone's out it seems. Anyway what we need is a pg. Dirk will be fine once he is healthy. And If he has a bad day on his shot he can drive and go to the line afterwards. His free throws are good enough. He'll pick it up.

We just need someone "really good" at the pg position to run the offense imo.
That will help us gel the most and we can move on from there.

[Turkey]

What ever happened to the fast paced stop and shoot style of the mavs? It seems like the mavs never gotten back to the things that made them successful ever since NVE left. And its as though Nelson is trying to utilize Dirk thinking that he is Duncan. Dirk has gotta go!!!

F*ckF*ckF*ckF*ckF*ckF*ckF*ckF*ckF*ckF*ckF*ckF*ckF* ckF*ckF*ckF*ckF*ckF*ckF*ckF*ckF*ckF*ckF*ckF*ckF*ck F*ckF*ckF*ckF*ckF*ck

[EricaLubarsky]

I don't want a fast-paced game, I want a winning team and Im more likely to get what I want than you are.

[sike]

I like your new sig better than the last few turkey...

PS: you are a nut.

[Bayliss]

"There is no excuse," Nowitzki said. "Once I step out onto the floor, I have to be good."

Nowitzki fell to second in the league in scoring behind Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. Nowitzki is averaging 26.5 points, while Bryant is averaging 27.1.

Mavs coach Don Nelson is amazed Nowitzki is even playing. Nowitzki took a hard fall on his back Dec. 9 against Seattle, but hasn't missed a game.

"Dirk is all beat up ever since he had that fall," Nelson said. "I don't know how he played in Houston [on Saturday]. He's had a tough go of it. I really appreciate and respect the fact that he's out there giving what he has, which is not a whole lot right now."

That is why I feel Dirk Nowitzki is a lader for this team without saying a word. The best player on the team... not 100%, refuses to take a game or two off, and has been playing just like everyone else. And even while he hasn't been playing well, he still wants to be held to to the same standards as everyone else.

Would you rather Dirk be more like Bird/Jordan/Isiah who routinely played through ailments just to be on the court. Or would you rather him be like Vince who sits out every game unless he's "100%". I'll take the former, and play through it.

As the saying goes... you can play hurt, but not injured. Dirk's hurt.