Re: Mavs' Howard may fill in again Mavs' Howard may fill in againWith Van Horn gone, forward may have to spell Dirk in playoffs12:13 AM CDT on Tuesday, April 4, 2006By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News If he had his druthers, Josh Howard would prefer not to repeat last year's playoffs, when he saw considerable action at power forward. But he's resigned to it happening again. With Keith Van Horn scheduled for hand surgery today and probably out for the season, including the playoffs, the Mavericks have no proven backup behind Dirk Nowitzki. Not that that's a huge hole. In the playoffs, virtually all the minutes at that position go to the MVP candidate. But he will need some rest, which is why the Mavericks are exploring their options, including using Howard at the power spot. "I've never had a problem with changing positions," Howard said. "Guarding the big guys is no problem as long as I don't get posted up too deep [in the paint]." Avery Johnson said the 20-point, five-rebound showing Howard had against Denver on Sunday offered proof of his value. "You can see his impact," Johnson said. "We tried to hold out as long as we could without him. But he's the equivalent of a Ron Artest for us, or a [Manu] Ginobili in San Antonio or a Tayshaun Prince in Detroit. That's the sort of things he does for us." There are other alternatives at the power-forward slot, however. Josh Powell has gotten the Mavericks' attention with his play in spot duty, and the team hopes he can be a rotation player ? next season. "Josh Powell has had a terrific year, but it's asking a lot of a first-year guy to do that in a playoff atmosphere," president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said. Which brings us to option No. 3, which isn't likely to be an option at all. The Mavs have asked the NBA for a roster exception that would allow them to add a 16th player. But with only one player who is assured of being out for the playoffs (Van Horn), it would seem unlikely the league would agree to an extra player. If the Mavs get an extra spot, the list of candidates is suspect. Players who haven't played in months, or even years, have surfaced. But while Christian Laettner, George Lynch and Shawn Kemp were capable in their day, how much would they offer now? Of course, there's a fourth option, too: playing Erick Dampier and DeSagana Diop together, something that hasn't happened all season. "We'll make it through it," Nowitzki said. "Obviously, we'd love to have Keith as another shooter out there. We don't really have a lot of long-range shooters on our team besides [Jason Terry] and me. Stack [Jerry Stackhouse] is very streaky. So we got to find other ways to be effective on the offensive end." The final word: Marquis Daniels summed up the events of the last week as well as anybody when asked about Johnson's outburst after the Orlando game and the impact it's had. "Sometimes you have to dig into some players and the team," Daniels said. "I know he's having some sleepless nights. We're still in a pretty good spot. It's how you go in the playoffs, and we want to go in on a high note." Playoff tickets on sale soon: Single-game tickets for the Mavs' first two home playoff games will go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. Tickets will be available online at Mavs.com, via phone at 214-747-6287 and at all Ticketmaster outlets. They also can be purchased at the American Airlines Center north box office. Dates, times and opponent for the first two games will be posted by April 20. About 3,000 tickets are available, are $12 and up and are limited to four per person per game. Briefly: Daniels, out the last two games with a neck strain, may play tonight against Sacramento. ... Johnson said Adrian Griffin is likely to resume playing later this week, either Friday in San Antonio or Saturday against New Orleans. Devin Harris still is expected back next week, possibly for the final five games of the season. LINK
Re: Mavs' Howard may fill in again It's not asking a lot of Josh Powell to play 8 minutes of backup power forward. Maybe less and it's not like he will see the ball much or at all. I guess the only good thing about it is Daniels will probably play in the playoffs instead of Van Horn if Howard goes to the 4.
Re: Mavs' Howard may fill in again I'm hoping we get some exception. Howard can't play pf, that's going too small. He has no bulk either to match up against the pfs in the West.Powell is not ready for playoff contribution, you can just tell from his play in regular season. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>I guess the only good thing about it is Daniels will probably play in the playoffs instead of Van Horn if Howard goes to the 4.</div>Your like Waqas - Dirk as Mavsfan - Daniels.
Re: Mavs' Howard may fill in again Daniels goes in a 3 game slump and he is a bad player while Stackhouse goes in a 14 game slump and he still better than Daniels? Anyways Daniels plays better in a fastbreak game because he can use his speed to get easy layups. Terry doesn't help him here. Daniels is at his best when Harris and Howard are in the game at the same time.
Re: Mavs' Howard may fill in again Howard at PF is a night mare waiting to happen. Would remind me of the old Walker days...uhhh. Were gonna kinda have a problem if we cant sign somone. Like rok said, Powell doesnt have experience as playoffs, if any little as a NBA player
Re: Mavs' Howard may fill in again Griff has defence to contest for matching up aginst a PF. But not height. As for if Mavs were playing Spurs no one on the team can guard Duncan, so its not like Griff matter for that reason. But Griff might see a few minutes as PF, if Mavs get desperate. Also Benga has played some PF before
Re: Mavs' Howard may fill in again I would rather have Griffin's bulk at the power forward than Josh's length. Against Duncan you play a center at the power forward if needed like Mbenga.
Re: Mavs' Howard may fill in again Well, our power forward production should be super.Dirk ended his season last year a little uncertain. This year, he'll end it with averaging 30 PPG and 10 RPG over the last 30-40 games or so.
Re: Mavs' Howard may fill in again <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Daniels goes in a 3 game slump and he is a bad player while Stackhouse goes in a 14 game slump and he still better than Daniels?</div>Stackhouse isn't even part of the discussion. And no one even said that. This just shows your hatred towards Stack and your homerism towards Daniels when you say that for no reason.
Re: Mavs' Howard may fill in again Man, Daniels DID have a better game tonight, going to the line, but you can't doubt Stackhouse. Remember the Mavericks record withOUT Stackhouse and WITH Stackhouse...
Re: Mavs' Howard may fill in again Yeah well the mavs picked up GRIFFIN during the time Stackhouse came back. It is no question of HATING Stackhouse but that he is very inconsistent from the perimeter. Yet he keeps taking the same shots. Daniels never takes those shots because he knows those are low percentage shots. Daniels also is capable of filling out the statline in assist, rebounds, and steals.
Re: Mavs' Howard may fill in again Yeah, man, but SPEAKING of Griffin...he's expected to be back against New Orleans or San Antonio!! HOPEFULLY SAN ANTONIO.Harris is coming back next week.We'll have some breathing space, FINALLY, lolz...
Re: Mavs' Howard may fill in again <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Yeah well the mavs picked up GRIFFIN during the time Stackhouse came back. It is no question of HATING Stackhouse but that he is very inconsistent from the perimeter. Yet he keeps taking the same shots. Daniels never takes those shots because he knows those are low percentage shots. Daniels also is capable of filling out the statline in assist, rebounds, and steals.</div>It's not about picking up Griff when Stackhouse came back it was because Howard was out.Also, you still didn't say why you brought Stackhouse up in the first place.
Re: Mavs' Howard may fill in again <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Because, man, it's near the playoffs.</div>Who is this directed too? Stop posting innane bullcrap.
Re: Mavs' Howard may fill in again Well you started to talk about Daniels and so I defended him. Stackhouse plays his position so that's how it came out.
Re: Mavs' Howard may fill in again Yeah, man, that's what I meant the whole time.By the way, Stackhouse is going back to the bench once Griff is back.I can't wait for him to take over defensively.
Re: Mavs' Howard may fill in again <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Well you started to talk about Daniels and so I defended him. Stackhouse plays his position so that's how it came out.</div>Um no, you did. And that's why I made my comment about Waqas/Dirk - Mavsfan/Daniels. Then you brought up Stackhouse for no reason. Go and look at the thread, and read your comment and see how out of place that was.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Yeah, man, that's what I meant the whole time.</div>Why are you in our conversation? None of it is directed towards you.
Re: Mavs' Howard may fill in again Your post was out of place also so we both put random thoughts. You out of nowhere compare me to Daniels and Waqas to Dirk.
