<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">MAVERICKS NOTES <font color=""Black"">Mavs' task: slow Kobe By ART GARCIA Star-Telegram Staff Writer Some of the Mavericks were given a parting gift on their way out of American Airlines Center after Saturday night's 110-91 win over Seattle. A DVD of Kobe Bryant highlights. How's that for a weekend homework assignment? "We have a huge challenge in front of us," Jerry Stackhouse said. "He's been putting up huge numbers against everybody. We haven't forgotten about how he had his way with us through three quarters when we were there." Did he ever. Bryant had 62 points (in 33 minutes) at the end of three quarters on Dec. 20 at the Staples Center, while the Mavs had only 61. The Mavs (37-10) are gunning for their 12th consecutive victory Tuesday at home against the NBA's leading scorer and the Los Angeles Lakers. It's a good bet the Mavs are featured prominently in the Kobe Uncut DVD. Such scouting tools are routine from the team's video department this season, and the Bryant edit was given to the perimeter players. Bryant, who two weeks ago dropped 81 points on Toronto, has torched the Mavs for 105 points in two games this season, both Lakers victories. So with added digital motivation in hand, how do the Mavs keep from going 0-3 against a Lakers team fighting to stay above .500? "I know [coach Avery Johnson] is going to come with his philosophy, but my philosophy is you've got to make him play defense," said Stackhouse, one of the Mavs up for that job. "Hopefully, we'll go at him and make him expend some of that energy, because he's an unbelievably conditioned athlete. If you test him a little more on the defensive end, it takes a little bit of steam out of him offensively." The Mavs can only hope. Daniels: DNP-CD Marquis Daniels didn't play against Seattle, the first time since his rookie season of 2003-04 he didn't get into a game he was medically cleared to play. Daniels, who has missed 14 games this season with a strained neck, said he's fine physically but wasn't given an indication by Avery Johnson that he wouldn't play. Even with the win safely in hand, Daniels didn't see the court in garbage time. He only played 26 minutes the previous three games. "I'm all right," he said. "Of course I want to play, but ..." Daniels decided not to finish the statement, probably a wise choice. For a team playing its best basketball of the season, Daniels doesn't want to become a distraction. Daniels was the starting off-guard before taking a blow to the head Dec. 14 against Phoenix. After missing five of the next six games, Daniels started four in a row before aggravating the neck injury. Adrian Griffin moved into the starting lineup, and the Mavs are 14-1 since. Johnson and Daniels had a talk recently about Daniels continuing to come off the bench. Pop knows best You can bet San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich wasn't too heartbroken when old friend Avery Johnson picked up the Western Conference coaching honors for the All-Star Game. As those who know "Pop" can attest, last year's coach of the West team (ineligible this season because he coached last year) might be off enjoying a fine bottle of wine while Johnson gets stretched from here to there during the Feb. 19 weekend in Houston. Popovich did pass along some advice to his former point guard. "Just enjoy the heck out of it," he said. "He already knows that. He knows it's a show for the players and the fans. The coaches are just along for the ride. Don't get in the way. Just enjoy the heck out of it." Popovich also offered some glowing words about Johnson, who collects another coaching accolade seemingly every week. "He's one of the greatest guys of all time," Popovich said. "He's doing a great job coaching besides being the All-Star coach. I think it's fantastic."</div></font> Looks like Daniels wants to play but Avery just doesn't want to stretch the rotation.
