Van Horn back next series?By ART GARCIASTAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITERDALLAS -- Keith Van Horn could be back in the Western Conference semifinals should the Mavs advance, according to team doctor T.O. Souryal. Van Horn has been out since breaking his right hand March 31.The normal healing period for such an injury -- Van Horn had a screw implanted near the base of the thumb -- is four to six weeks, which would fall sometime during the next round of the playoffs.Van Horn is the primary backup for Dirk Nowitzki. Rookie free agent Josh Powell has filled in during the interim and saw his first playoff action in Game 2.'Good for Steve'Several Arizona newspapers reported Wednesday that Suns point guard Steve Nash will win his second consecutive league MVP award, beating former teammate Dirk Nowitzki, LeBron James, Chauncey Billips and Kobe Bryant."I knew it was going to be a close race; Steve's had an awfully great year," Mavs coach Avery Johnson said. "But again, we think that Dirk played at an MVP level this year, and we thought he was going to get it."Mavs owner Mark Cuban, who said Tuesday that Nowitzki should win the award, offered Nash his congratulations."Good for Steve," Cuban said.Congrats pour inMavs coach Avery Johnson estimated he's received 50 phone calls offering congratulations since being named the NBA's Coach of the Year on Tuesday."I'm not exaggerating," Johnson said. "Some of them really were pretty special."Johnson said he had calls from Detroit Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars, Spurs guard Tony Parker and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. He said he had a nice message from former Mavs coach Don Nelson."Avery is my homeboy," Dumars told The Associated Press. "We're both Louisiana guys, and we actually pull for each other. I was happy for him."Mbenga, baby!With DeSagana Diop and Erick Dampier saddled with three fouls midway through the second quarter, Mavs 7-footer DJ Mbenga, in his second season, made his first playoff appearance.Fifteen seconds after checking in, Mbenga had the ball under the basket, got hacked and went to the line. Having made just 10 of 20 foul shots in 43 regular-season games, Mbenga calmly swished both attempts to give the Mavs a 48-43 lead.Armstrong applauds MillerMavs point guard Darrell Armstrong has fond memories of playing alongside Grizzlies guard Mike Miller.Armstrong and Miller were teammates with the Orlando Magic from the 2000-01 season until Miller was traded to the Grizzlies on Feb. 19, 2003."We had a good time on the floor and off the floor," Armstrong said. "I went to a couple of his events -- his golf event up in South Dakota -- and he came to mine."I was looking forward to playing a lot of years with him, and we respect each other. The way he plays the game, that's what I like about him."Miller has the same respect."It was always a pleasure playing with him," Miller said. "The guy brings energy and passion to the game, and makes the game a lot easier for you to play, because he's ready for every game and he makes sure you get ready for every game."But he's an even better person than he's a basketball player."Believe itTwo days later, Memphis forward Eddie Jones still couldn't believe it: The Grizzlies had six rebounds at halftime of Game 1."It was shocking to me," Jones said. "But it's true. The first thing is we have to understand that's what we did. It's documented. We saw it on tape. So we have to come out and rebound the basketball."Jones said that if the Grizzlies reversed the rebounding differential in Game 2, it would put Memphis in position to even the series.The Mavs still outrebounded the Grizzlies 8-7 in the first quarter and 37-34 for the game.Brown happy for GasolCount ABC analyst Hubie Brown among those who were glad to see Grizzlies forward Pau Gasol have a breakout season capped by his first appearance in the All-Star game.Brown coached Gasol and the Grizzlies from the 2002-03 season until he announced his retirement 12 games into the 2004-05 season."He's one of the most intelligent players that I've ever been around," Brown said of Gasol. "He has an off-the-chart IQ, he's a hard worker, he's a total team player, and I'm happy to see his success this year."The 20 points and the nine rebounds and the two shot blocks and all of that is great. But he's become a better passer now off the double-teams, and that's why his assists are up."Jones is a happy camperEddie Jones was taken aback when the Miami Heat chose last summer to break up a team that came within one win of reaching the 2005 NBA Finals.Jones was the starting shooting guard for the Heat at the time. But he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies last summer, while the Heat also parted ways with starting point guard Damon Jones."I was totally surprised that it happened," Eddie Jones said. "But you know what? Sometimes people want to make changes, and as players we have to understand the fact that we can't control what happens in management."I made the playoffs [this year], so I'm happy."Fast startThe Mavs made their first 15 free throws Wednesday, a streak that ended with 1:30 left in the first half when Dirk Nowitzki missed. He was 6-of-6 before missing.
I hope he comes back, that extra fire power against SA will be needed, especially the little inside game he has.
Depth is always something needed, and this would help the situation. Even though Mavs bench has been strong with out him. But if Dirk ever gets in foul trouble like last night, Van Horn will be needed. Powell shouldnt be the PF second option
Other than scoring what does Van Horn do better than Powell? Dallas has too many players that need touches and it could hurt their chemistry but don't tell Rok that.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Other than scoring what does Van Horn do better than Powell? Dallas has too many players that need touches and it could hurt their chemistry but don't tell Rok that.</div>I didn't hear you babbling about chemistry when Harris was coming back from injury. So why don't you shut up about chemistry problems when Van Horn comes back. With the minutes Dirk is playing, Van Horn won't be needed to play much anyways. So I doubt there would any issues other then you bitching.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Rok @ Apr 28 2006, 01:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I didn't hear you babbling about chemistry when Harris was coming back from injury. So why don't you shut up about chemistry problems when Van Horn comes back. With the minutes Dirk is playing, Van Horn won't be needed to play much anyways. So I doubt there would any issues other then you bitching.</div>Did you just mention Van Horn and Harris in the same sentence? That is a joke. As long as Van Horn doesn't take minutes from Dirk, Diop, Dampier, and Daniels I'm fine. Van Horn should be the 10th man on this team.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Did you just mention Van Horn and Harris in the same sentence? That is a joke. As long as Van Horn doesn't take minutes from Dirk, Diop, Dampier, and Daniels I'm fine. Van Horn should be the 10th man on this team.</div>This is a joke, the fact Van Horn won't get much time, means he won't affect any chemistry, so your babbling of chemistry issues is a joke. And the fact Harris is a key player, and was out longer, means he would have a more indent on chemistry issues then Van Horn. Also, I didn't compare the two players talent wise. I don't even know how you came about that. I just pointed out the fact your bitching about Van Horn coming in and messing things up when Harris was in a similar situation.Are you trying to tell me Harris coming back from injury would not effect the team but Van Horn would? Makes zero sense, it should be the opposite with Harris playing key minutes and needing time to get into rotation. While Van Horn would only have to spot duty with Dirk, not much of a transistion compared to Harris. Harris has worked his way nicely the past 2 games, what makes you think Van Horn can't. Oh yea because your biased.
Van Horn hasn't worked in nicely all season is a reason I don't think he will work in here. Say Van Horn plays 8 minutes and goes 0-3 with 1 turnover while Josh Powell plays 8 minutes and takes no shots and focuses on defense. Which helps the team more?
Yeah, but Van Horn has played in more playoff games than every other player on the team except Dirk. He's been to the Finals i believe twice, and when it comes down to it, he's just a better player than Powell. I believe the only reason Powell didnt turn the ball over was because he might of touched it once. I'm serious on that point, i really cant remember him having the ball on offense. He did play ok defense, but it was against the Grizzilies. Sorry, but as long as your not guarding Gasol or Miller, you will look pretty damn good on defense. Gasol and Miller are the only real scoring options. If you watched in game 2, when Dirk and Terry were out, the offense was not really that great. Adding another scorer will help. And its not like Van Horn is going to be playing 30 minutes a game. I would think 18 minutes tops. Plus it gives the Mavericks another dimension(spelling??) when you play Nowitzki and KVH together at the 4 and 5 or at the 3 and 4. Adding Van Horn is a good thing.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Van Horn hasn't worked in nicely all season is a reason I don't think he will work in here. Say Van Horn plays 8 minutes and goes 0-3 with 1 turnover while Josh Powell plays 8 minutes and takes no shots and focuses on defense. Which helps the team more?</div>Thank you for ignoring my points in my post. And now this .Nice job assuming what Van Horn will do and what Powell will do. No surprize it's in favor of Powell. I just noticed your post pj, it's hopeless. He will skim over it and then reply about something else. I mean just look at his new reply, if that's not fucken biased, I don't know what is.
Van Horn and Dirk at the same time means Gasol goes off. Neither of them are strong enough to scare Gasol from posting them and neither set good picks like Dampier and Diop do. Mbenga though was a beast against Gasol. Like I said Van Horn's shooting percentage has been horrible this season. He always comes into the game rushed because he doesn't play well off the bench. If you start him he is a defensive liability but does play better overall. The problem is Dirk and Howard are taking his spot. If you look at 82games.com, Van Horn has the worst +/- on the team of anyone that gets meaningful minutes so don't say I'm biased and that bullsh**. That is proof right there.
i think thats irrelivent about gaurding Gasol considering the fact that he wont be ready for this series. And even at that, remember, Gaol has to gaurd them too. I'm pretty sure thats a good thing. It takes Gasol away from the basket and doesnt let him clog the lane.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Van Horn and Dirk at the same time means Gasol goes off. Neither of them are strong enough to scare Gasol from posting them and neither set good picks like Dampier and Diop do. Mbenga though was a beast against Gasol. Like I said Van Horn's shooting percentage has been horrible this season. He always comes into the game rushed because he doesn't play well off the bench. If you start him he is a defensive liability but does play better overall. The problem is Dirk and Howard are taking his spot. If you look at 82games.com, Van Horn has the worst +/- on the team of anyone that gets meaningful minutes so don't say I'm biased and that bullsh**. That is proof right there.</div>You are biased with that comment because you threw out a stupid assumption favoring the player you like. That's biased. Don't bring bullsh** by saying Van Horn will go 0-3 from the floor and Powell won't. All your doing is making up numbers with that. This is ridiculous, I don't understand how your having a sissy fit out of Van Horn returning. A guy who will play max 10 minutes or less off the bench. Just look at how much Powell has played. Everyone else commented that this was good except you, no surprize.
Everyone? 2 people. That definitely is everyone. Lmao at everytime I think a player hurts a team you get offended. Powell not playing much is because Avery wants to shorten his rotation and play Dirk. All I am saying is Avery better not be playing Van Horn 20 minutes a game and taking Daniels out of the rotation like he did before. We all can agree that Daniels>Van Horn right? And yes Van Horn can hurt us with limited minutes. Just check out what he did against Houston in game 2 last year in the playoffs. Dallas would've been tied 1-1 if it weren't for those mental errors. Everyone in the rotation matters even if it just for a short time.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Marvinmartian @ Apr 27 2006, 10:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I hope he comes back, that extra fire power against SA will be needed, especially the little inside game he has.</div><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Lazy @ Apr 27 2006, 10:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Depth is always something needed, and this would help the situation. Even though Mavs bench has been strong with out him. But if Dirk ever gets in foul trouble like last night, Van Horn will be needed. Powell shouldnt be the PF second option</div><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Rok @ Apr 28 2006, 02:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Thank you for ignoring my points in my post. And now this .Nice job assuming what Van Horn will do and what Powell will do. No surprize it's in favor of Powell. I just noticed your post pj, it's hopeless. He will skim over it and then reply about something else. I mean just look at his new reply, if that's not fucken biased, I don't know what is.</div>Thats four ppl, and i bet Wagas would love it too.
Well we got plenty of depth. Depth can hurt at times to because it can take your team out of your rhythm. Dallas right now is playing their best basketball. Why change their lineup? Anyways if Van Horn isn't hitting his shots what is he good for? Stealing Dirk's minutes or someone else more deserving of them?
You can't count worth sh*t then. About every post in here has been pro Van Horn. Marvin, Pj, me, Lazy. Yours is the only negative. So yes everyone else on here has commented this was good. Care to explain how it wasn't? This is a joke, I basically said your biased, and that's me getting offended. Ok. You still didn't say jack about making up stats in favor of Powell, which is why I said you were biased in the first place. ADD kicking up huh? Who cares about Daniels and what he does with Van Horn. Were talking about him backing up Dirk and there would be no problems with his return. You first bi*ch because you say Powell won't go 0-3 like Van Horn would in 8 minutes, now your talking about Van Horn playing 20 minutes and affecting Daniels. Your making this out more then it should be. Oh and wow Terry shouldn't be playing either with your logic, was he not the reason we went into OT in game 6 against the Suns for his mental error. Van Horn returning helps the team, go ahead and churn all the negatives. I'll stick with Avery and the Mavs decision. Or how about resting Dirk, or helping out when Dirk could possibly be in foul trouble. Powell is not deserving of minutes, get over it. If he was, he would have sniffed more then 3 minutes by now. Great contradiction. Weren't you saying how we need to be using our depth come playoff time. This is just funny.I'm willing to bet mavsfan posts again, always has to get the last word in, even if doesn't make sense.
So you think you know Avery? Like I said 8 minutes of Van Horn is not a problem. Van Horn is our worst defender on the team and just brings negative intangibles like rotation defense, late reactions, and lack of communicating with teammates. If Van Horn is playing at small forward that forces Stackhouse to play more shooting guard which takes Daniels out of the equation. That is where Van Horn affects Daniels' minutes which would be a big mistake of Avery to do that. Dallas is playing 9 players right now and I think that is the perfect amount which the exception of Powell and Mbenga getting limited minutes.
Again do you purposely ignore points in my reply? Like how you contradicted yourself with your depth statements, saying 2 people only supported Van Horn in this thread, again not even acknowleding you made up stats, mental errors in playoff games. A fellow admin has agreed with me that a certain person here tends to drift.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>So you think you know Avery? Like I said 8 minutes of Van Horn is not a problem.</div>I think it's common sense Avery will play Van Horn, just like how he's playing Stackhouse. It doesn't take a genius to know that. And is that what you were saying when you bashing 8 minutes of Van Horn is a problem, stating he would go 0-3 and have a turnover. Contradiction again?<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Dallas is playing 9 players right now and I think that is the perfect amount which the exception of Powell and Mbenga getting limited minutes.</div>Avery doesn't care what you think is perfect. If Van Horn is healthy, he will get some minutes. Powell will likely be in a suit. This is just like when you said Stackhouse should not be playing a lot, and I told you Avery will be playing him and to just accept it. And look, were 2-0, so I'm betting Avery continues to play him. That's just how it is. Do I like how Stack is playing, no but sitting here and complaining doesn't do anything.
