Ugly game last night. (box score)
I guess if you are looking for a positive to take away from it you can read this case on the ST blog that Brandon Bass was the Mavs player of the game. Good for Bass, but I don't like the Mavs chances of winning any games in which he is the teams best player.
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Caplan points to the Mavs ever-changing lineup as one of the many Mavs problems last night.
With Devin Harris back in Dallas tending to a family matter and missing his third game, the Mavs rolled out a different starting lineup for the fourth time in six games.
Consider J.J. Barea, a bit player last season, made his fourth consecutive start and had his third backcourt partner, Trenton Hassell, who made his first start, and the Mavs, now 4-2, will be happy when they can finally lean on a consistent lineup.
Hopefully the lineup cn settle during the upcoming four game home stand.Consider J.J. Barea, a bit player last season, made his fourth consecutive start and had his third backcourt partner, Trenton Hassell, who made his first start, and the Mavs, now 4-2, will be happy when they can finally lean on a consistent lineup.
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Jeff Caplan has an article about Bass' tough childhood.
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Good news.
Erick Dampier is ahead of schedule and could return this week.
"Damp is good," Johnson said. "He had a good practice [Friday]. He was trying to send me a message and I heard it loud and clear."
The Mavs return home to play Philadelphia on Tuesday and San Antonio on Thursday. Perhaps Dampier will feel things out against the Sixers' Samuel Dalembert before Tim Duncan arrives.
"It could be a possibility," said Dampier, who underwent right shoulder surgery in the off-season to repair a small tear of his rotator cuff.
Dampier pegged his arm strength at 70 percent. He recently started bench-pressing and is up to 225 pounds, still well below his standard, he said.
----------------The Mavs return home to play Philadelphia on Tuesday and San Antonio on Thursday. Perhaps Dampier will feel things out against the Sixers' Samuel Dalembert before Tim Duncan arrives.
"It could be a possibility," said Dampier, who underwent right shoulder surgery in the off-season to repair a small tear of his rotator cuff.
Dampier pegged his arm strength at 70 percent. He recently started bench-pressing and is up to 225 pounds, still well below his standard, he said.
Dirk Nowitzki is having Nike redesign his new shoes because they are uncomfortable.
And for those who believe in the Dirk/Sampson comparisons, it looks like you don't have to worry.
"A couple of guys said the short hair jinxed us every year," Nowitzki said. "We've got a couple of superstitious cats on our team.
"I'm not really superstitious. I'd cut it again, but I'm going to roll with the team this year. I will maybe cut off an inch, but keep it long."
------------------"I'm not really superstitious. I'd cut it again, but I'm going to roll with the team this year. I will maybe cut off an inch, but keep it long."
This Day in Mavs History
2004 Dirk Nowitzki had 41 points, the 48th time a Mavs player had 40+ points and the 8th of 12 times Nowitzki had 40+ points with Dallas.