Howard's back has Mavs concerned - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

HexNBA · 04-21-2006, 10:16 PM

oh boy..

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Howard's back has Mavs concerned

Guard says his back still feels tight, but he plans to play Sunday

09:32 PM CDT on Friday, April 21, 2006

By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News

As he lay on a table getting kneaded by the hands and elbows of massage therapist Gary Fineske, Josh Howard grimaced through a particularly deep dig into the small of his back.

This was not the kind of massage that you get while enjoying the good life.

"It's not the good life when it hurts," he said.

Howard's lower back tightened up after he came out of Game 82 on Wednesday. It was enough of a problem Friday that he could not take part in the Mavericks' lengthy practice.

Howard, a 15.6-point, 6.3-rebound producer in the regular season, said he expects to play in Game 1 on Sunday, even though the Mavericks are somewhat concerned by the back problem that has flared up occasionally in the last month.

"I don't really know what it is," Howard said. "It's just tight. The last game, I got a little tightness in it when I came out of the game, and it got tighter when I sat for a while. It was worse by the time the game ended and when I got home."

So does he plan on playing in Game 1?

"Right now is the most important time to play, so I'll go out there and play," he said. "It's two days away, so I should be back. It's nothing major like that."

Avery Johnson said Howard would be checked out thoroughly and evaluated daily.

Some good news: While Howard's back further clouded the Mavericks' injury situation, they received good news when Devin Harris was able to go through practice with no serious problems from his sore left quad.

"Everything felt great – no setbacks," he said. "I got the OK from the doctors. As for minutes [Sunday], that's up to AJ. But I'll be in uniform."

Having played only seven games since the All-Star break, Harris was asked if he was worried about being rusty.

"Nah, I can still get to the rim," he said.

Johnson said Harris "looked OK" during practice. "Now we've got to see what happens with the recovery," he said. "He went at it pretty hard."

Marquis Daniels (left hamstring) also practiced Friday, but Darrell Armstrong (left ankle) did not.

Speaking of health: Memphis' Pau Gasol has been bothered by a left foot injury, but the Mavericks aren't buying any of it.

"He'll play, and he'll be 100 percent," Johnson said.

Upset sprinter: Jason Terry and Dirk Nowitzki raced each other in a wind sprint after practice, with Nowitzki winning, much to the surprise of assistant coach Del Harris and others, Terry included.

"That was totally unexpected," Terry said, before adding, "Next time, I won't give him that two-second head start."

capitalcity · 04-21-2006, 10:22 PM

sonuvabitch.

We might, might be able to get by with an injured Harris. But no Jho means NO. NO. NO!

mary · 04-21-2006, 10:24 PM

God is not a Mavericks fan.

shaw-xx · 04-21-2006, 10:36 PM

Kill me.

chumdawg · 04-21-2006, 10:38 PM

It has me concerned, too! Man, so many variables to this postseason. So many guys healthy or not. This thing could go either way. We could end up as a skeleton the ridiculously deep and talented team we spent the season being, or we could stay healthy and even add the extraordinary marksmanship, tenacious defense, and general hustle of Keith Van Horn.

God may well cast the deciding vote in this one.

nashtymavsfan13 · 04-21-2006, 10:47 PM

Ah man, not another one. Hopefully he and Devin will be fine.

That's awesome that Dirk won the sprint after practice against Terry

TheBlueVan · 04-21-2006, 10:52 PM

GAH, COME ON. THIS IS RIDICULOUS

i can see it now, "starting at small forward...RAWWWWWWWLE MARRRRSHALLL"

TheBlueVan · 04-21-2006, 10:52 PM

any news on DA?

rakesh.s · 04-21-2006, 10:53 PM

What is Daniels' status? He had a bad hammy

rabbitproof · 04-21-2006, 11:08 PM

Worst 82nd game EVER! (Okay, it was entertaining but still.)

It was a loss.
DA hurts his ankle.
Howard hurts his back.

AUGH.

u2sarajevo · 04-21-2006, 11:10 PM

When will it end?

Dear Lord, why hath thou forsaken us? Is it because of the poker deal? If so, I will initiate a DDoS attack on them right away......

Male30Dan · 04-21-2006, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBlueVan

GAH, COME ON. THIS IS RIDICULOUS

i can see it now, "starting at small forward...RAWWWWWWWLE MARRRRSHALLL"

Maybe next year, but RAWWWWWWWLE MARRRRSHALLL was left off the playoff roster!

Drbio · 04-21-2006, 11:37 PM

This is all posturing by the Mavs. Just like Gashole will play, so will Jho. Book it.

Evilmav2 · 04-21-2006, 11:37 PM

Gosh Danged it...

MavsFanFinley · 04-22-2006, 12:32 AM

Oh joy. We might have more Stackhouse. I can't stand my own excitement.

BE WELL JHO!!

Dtownsfinest · 04-22-2006, 12:46 AM

Great. If his back is tight than maybe he should sit out the first game. I'd rather do it now than wait until game 4 or 5 are on there way. The Mavs need to get rid of the Grizz as soon as possible. The worst thing that could happen is if this series goes 7 games.

mavsfan1000 · 04-22-2006, 01:53 AM

I saw him attacking the basket once and getting hit. He was in pain the whole time he was at the free throw line. I think he'll be fine for Sunday but you never know.

bernardos70 · 04-22-2006, 02:30 AM

I did see J-ho holding his back and grimacing during the Clippers game, and I was a bit worried. It looks like I was not really seeing things. Let's hope he can play.

kg_veteran · 04-22-2006, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drbio

This is all posturing by the Mavs. Just like Gashole will play, so will Jho. Book it.

I agree.

TheBlueVan · 04-22-2006, 06:35 AM

backs are tricky tho, look at Tmac. i think (hope) theres no way its that bad

HexNBA · 04-22-2006, 07:12 AM

[q]This is all posturing by the Mavs. Just like Gashole will play, so will Jho. Book it.[/q]

well unless the dallasnews writers didnt actually get to see practice to confirm howard didnt join in, sitting out a playoff practice doesnt seem that great to me

V2M · 04-22-2006, 08:01 AM

That's bad news!

nowitzki_prophecy · 04-22-2006, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drbio

This is all posturing by the Mavs. Just like Gashole will play, so will Jho. Book it.

That's what you think?or wanna think?...
even if,his back is a little tight,he'll get his rest and he'll be fine... Its not exactly an injury,
the sky isn't falling people.

alby · 04-22-2006, 12:12 PM

he will be fine
no excuses
go mavs

EastDallasCowboy · 04-23-2006, 06:33 PM

Why didn't I see this thread before I put cash on Howard over 16.5 points tonight?

Doh.

Drbio · 04-23-2006, 06:36 PM

Worry not EDC. JHo will notonly suit up, he will be the difference maker tonight.

EastDallasCowboy · 04-23-2006, 06:50 PM

As long as he scores 17 points and the Mavs win I'll be a happy man, even though I'm sure to be slightly hungover when I get to work at 6am tomorrow.

Stupid NBA and their 8:30 Sunday night games.

nashtymavsfan13 · 04-23-2006, 07:00 PM

He will, he'll be fine.

mavsman55 · 04-23-2006, 08:36 PM

A sore back isn't anything like a sprained ankle or pulled hammy. He'll be fine. A lot of this speculation always happens before playoffs. But, these games are important, and he'll either take some kind of painkiller shot or play through the pain.

Drbio · 04-23-2006, 11:40 PM

JHo put all this crapola to rest tonight just fine.

wescx · 04-24-2006, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drbio

JHo put all this crapola to rest tonight just fine.

Well, he only played 18 minutes.

Foul trouble got him on the bench and then Marquis' play kept him there.

He looked fine while he was out there, but I did notice a huge wrap around his back while he was on the bench so it's clearly still bothering him.