Mavs Employ Get-Tough Policy

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Avery Johnson is a big believer in the Golden Rule, especially when it involves hard fouls at playoff time.

Do unto others ... right?

And Johnson said Thursday that hard fouls are going to be standard issue in the first-round series against Memphis.

"They don't give you anything easy, which is the way it should be," Johnson said. "I don't want to give up any easy layups, either."

The Mavericks know what that means. Dirk Nowitzki is going to get whacked early and often. And the Grizzlies can expect the same treatment for Pau Gasol ? and anybody else who ventures into the paint with an eye on the rim.

"Any great player, you got to make sure they feel it ? the same way everybody makes Dirk feel it," Johnson said. "When he drives, he gets fouled hard. Good, clean, hard fouls are going to be a part of this series."

Which brings us to Erick Dampier, who during the second half of the season has been the Mavericks' best player when it comes to dishing out punishment by way of memorable fouls. He freely admits it will be a strategy the Mavericks employ.

Asked if he would try to hack Gasol in half, Dampier said:

"Not necessarily. But if we're going to foul him, we foul him hard. I just try to be physical with him. If he goes to the basket, contest the shot."

This attitude is not confined to Gasol, by the way.

"We definitely don't want them to get a layup," Dampier said. "If it's a point guard and he's driving the lane and we think we should foul him, we're going to foul him and foul him hard." </div>

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