Rather than post every single link I missed over the weekend, here's a quick recap of what I missed.
The Mavs lost twice this weekend. On Friday, they lost at Chicago. Stackhouse started and Jason Terry didn't dress. JJ Barea and Josh Howard were really good. Moe Ager was pretty bad.
On Saturday, Dallas got beat by the Wizards at George Mason University. I didn't get to see any of this game, but Ager and Bass led the team in scoring and in minutes played. Dirk, Terry, and Stackhouse all sat it out. I'm okay having not seen it.
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DJ Mbenga participated in the full practice yesterday. He could play later this week.
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Finally! Avery has admitted Dampier wasn't playing against Golden State because of his shoulder.
"That's why he didn't play as much," said Johnson, who added that he doesn't need a reinvented Dampier when he does get back.
"We don't have to change who he is," Johnson said. "He's pretty good for us. He's been a little inconsistent, like everybody. More than anything, Damp sets the best screens in the NBA. We have a stat that tracks that. Damp is per minute one of the better offensive rebounders, if not the best."
Jeff Caplan has an article on Dampier today and the dirty work he does on offense.
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Devean George doesn't expect to play a minute this preseason.
"That's the real test, when I start pounding on it," he said. "So far, I've just been walking on it and stretching it."
Sefko writes about Diop having to play well while Dampier is out.
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Here's a good diary and discussion on the Kobe Bryant to Dallas Mavericks trade rumors. I don't really want to waste too much time on them because there is no way it will happen. For the record, I'd be thrilled about any trade that joined Kobe and Dirk.