<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Avery Johnson has the right idea. He sat Dirk Nowitzki the other day in the Mavericks' preseason opener. No need to stop there. Johnson should sit him for the entire preseason. That's right. Nowitzki's line in the box score the next seven games should read DNP ? coach's decision. Now, Dirk isn't going to like it. And that's OK. No self-admitted gym rat wants to sit. In this case, though, the greater good outweighs the 7-foot superstar's desire. Nowitzki, a perennial All-Star, has established himself as one of the NBA's top five players. Coaches and players throughout the league respect his game, so he has nothing to prove ? or gain ? by playing even 20 minutes a night in the preseason. So sit him on the bench, it's OK if he pouts because Avery won't play him. Since Oct. 13, 2004, Nowitzki has played in 219 basketball games. That's a lot of wear and tear on bones and joints. Sometimes, we forget he's no longer the 19-year-old prodigy from Germany; he's a 28-year-old veteran entering his ninth season. But he's entering his prime because his basketball intellect is now at the same level as his talent. As he gets older, the focus must shift to Nowitzki's body, because older players tend to get hurt and take longer to recover, no matter the sport. No need to take a chance on injury during the preseason. Nowitzki's body deserves a rest. Now is the time for him to get it.</div> LinkI think this is a good move by Avery. Dont know why more teams don't do this. This does a few things for the team. A)-Rests Dirk. Gives Dirk some extra rest. Remember he played for Germany in Fiba this summer. -Gives Avery more minutes to decide on who gets the last roster spot and more minutes to decide on who gets into the rotation. Remember, there are 4 players playing for the 15th spot. In addition, there is 4 or 5 players trying to find thier role with the team. Players like George, Buckner, Johnson, Croshere, Ager, and Mbenga are all playing right now to prove to Avery that they are all available off the bench and will play with confidence, without any personal glory, and to show that they can play in Avery's system. All in all, I think this is a great move by Avery. Guess thats why he got the 5 year extention, huh?
Good decision but it doesn't make tonights game any more viewable. I guess getting to see Pops tryout for the team is worth it though. Also to find out how much better Croshere is to Van Horn.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Good decision but it doesn't make tonights game any more viewable. I guess getting to see Pops tryout for the team is worth it though. Also to find out how much better Croshere is to Van Horn.</div> Tryout for the team? I think you mean Ebi, Pops is already a lock. Watching the game so far, I don't see the need to really invest any time in Ebi. He won't play much, I feel Pops is better then him. Also, he can't spend time in D-League. Barea/Washington look decent but again nothing special. I rather bring in another veteran over Ebi or invest in a guy with actual potential at the 15th spot. If I had to settle, I'd lean towards Wash or Barea. On Dirk sitting out, I'm glad but I think he'll need some time in the last 2 or 3 games just to get back into system before Spurs.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Based on this game Croshere looks like a scrub. We traded Daniels for that? lol</div> , he is sort of Van Hornesque in his play. But Daniels ain't really doing anything in Indiana so far. He was just seen outside a strip club with teammates who had weapons and weed. And can't play due to having a toe nail removed. I say it's a wash so far.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mavsfan1000 @ Oct 12 2006, 09:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Based on this game Croshere looks like a scrub. We traded Daniels for that? lol</div>You have HD-Net?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>You have HD-Net? </div> If you have Directv, it's on league pass which is free right now along with NBAtv.
