Draw!
Opponent File
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks play in the American Airlines
Center in Dallas, TX. Their 2001 - 2002 record was 57 - 25 (second in
the Midwest). Here's what Joe and Champagne had to say about the Mavericks
in their Midwest Division Previews. Here is the Dallas
Mavericks roster. Here is ESPN.com's Mavs
vs. Nets stat comparison.
Local Paper
Dallas
Morning News
Team Pages:
CNNSI.com
| Mavs
ESPN.com
| Mavs
NBA.com |
Mavs
The
Sporting News | Mavs
Sportsline.com
| Mavs
Head Coach: Don Nelson
Drafted:
Sekularac, SF (Yugoslavia), selected #55.
New Players:
Raja Bell, G (Philadelphia, Free Agency). Adam Harrington, G (rookie).
Popeye Jones, F (Washington, Free Agency). Walt Williams, F (Houston,
Free Agency).
Season Goal: Homecourt
advantage throughout the playoffs, then nothing less than a ring.
Record vs. Nets:
Last Season: 0 - 2.
This season: 0 - 0.
Other Opponent Files
Projected Atlantic Division Standing:
Chris Carrino: 1
Champagne: 2
Frank DiGraci: 1
Ian Eagle: 1
Joe Netsfan: 1
The Outlaw Dirk Nowitzki
The townspeople are nervous. Although their record at home is 5 - 0 behind near-legendary Sheriff Kidd, there are problems gathering on the horizon. Last night, Kidd's main enforcer Martin had his nose broken by a big looming foreigner-type. How is this going to affect his aggression? Will Kenyon have to wear a mask? Kidd's 36-year old African shot-blocker is playing like he already retired. Replacement Rodney has been playing like Barney Fife. And if young 'un Dickie Jefferson isn't served a home-cooked meal by Miss Joumana, then who the hell knows if he's going to show up or not when high noon comes on game day?
Now here comes the undefeated Mavericks. The sharpest shooters in the West and the hottest team in the league.
The Mavs' slashing PG Steve Nash is averaging 7.8 apg (through 8 games). Gunslinger Michael Finley is picking up 20.4 ppg. Ex-Net Shawn Bradley, the long-derided "paint stick," infamously known as a bust at the center position, has bulked up and is blocking out, slapping back 2.5 blocks per game and dragging down 8.9 rpg. Now even the the Knicks want him, just when Dallas doesn't want to give him away. Forward Eduardo Najera has developed into a terrific role player for the Mavs – so far he has a stunning 68.1 shooting percentage from the field.
And then there's Dirk Nowitzki. The fearless forward has become a superstar "20 and 10 man": 21.5 ppg and 11.3 rpg. Last night he stroked over the Celtics for a season-best 32. The biggest shocker? Gang leader Don Nelson has got him playing defense...hell, he's got this whole team playing D.
Can Kenyon put a stop to Dirk? Can Jefferson do anything at all to contain Finley? Will it be "elbows out" for Mutombo against the Big Morman at the Dallas center? Both teams are playing the second half of a back-to-back – the Nets have to hope the Mavs had it tougher against the Celtics in Boston than they did against the Heat in Miami. Shawn Bradley ate bad chowder, came down with a vicious, messy case of food poisoning, and still managed to score 10 points, grab 5 rebounds and make an amazing 5 blocks last night. The Mavs' roster has been so thinned by injuries that they've received a medical exemption from the league (they are expected to sign forward Mark Strickland, who once "played" for the Nets, and who will meet the Mavs in NJ). Can the Nets drive into the middle hard, pick up fouls, and force short-rostered Dallas to play cautiously and conservatively (relatively)? It may be the Nets' only hope.
See You in Hell, Dolans: The number will rise to 8 games lost to the Cablevision/YES mess. Do something about it: Click here.
- Champagne
Dallas Mavericks Cheat Sheet
The Story from Dallas: Injuries. Relief is coming with the medical exemption from the league after Nick Van Exel missed his third game yesterday. Eddie Sefko (Dallas Morning News) quotes Coach Don Nelson: "We were down to nine players and a rookie."
Pain Game: Tariq Abdul-Wahad , F-G (injured knee, unclear if he will play this season, is rehabbing in Paris, France. Injured reserve). Evan Eschmeyer, C (back spasms, has not played since Nov. 4, day to day). Popeye Jones, F (ankle, back. Unavailable, taken off injured reserve to make room for Nick Van Exel). Raef LaFrentz, C-F (severely sprained right ankle, placed on injured reserve Nov. 9, will miss 3-6 weeks). Nick Van Exel, G (underwent arthroscopic surgery on right knee Nov. 11, will miss 3-6 weeks. Injured reserve).
Controversy: None right now – things are going too well. That doesn't keep Mark Cuban from whining, however. Because the Mavs are over the luxury-tax threshold, Cuban will have to pay double for the medical exemption. Sefko quotes the Mavs' contentious owner: "I have guys who are injured and getting food poisoning and I still have to pay the tax for another player. But what really upsets me is if the other teams that are benefiting from that money are just putting it in their pocket. I think teams should have to put that money back into the team. [...] why not cut the price of a ticket so they can get more fans in the seats?"
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