Full-Court Press

Kind of silly

The Times of London recently published a Q & A with Steve Nash, and one of the questions was whether he would consider playing in Texas in the future. First of all, why not ask him about playing in Los Angeles or Chicago or New York?

Anyway, this was Nash's reply, which was to be expected. What was he going to say? No, I wouldn't ever go back, even if they offered me a better contract than anyone else?

Here's Nash:

First of all, I'm happy in Phoenix. But I'd have no problem going back and playing for a team in Texas, even the Mavericks! It's not as though there was some irreconcilable divorce with Dallas, it was just best for me to move on at that time. I was wanted more in Phoenix, that's the way it is in sports. But if Phoenix doesn't want me one day, I have nothing against considering one of the Texas teams.

-- Jan Hubbard

Take a break

With Friday's home game against Portland kicking off a back-to-back with a big intra-division matchup at New Orleans on Saturday, coach Avery Johnson sent his big-minute players home early on Thursday.

Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard, Devin Harris, Jerry Stackhouse, Jason Terry and Erick Dampier -- not DeSagana Diop -- left after film session while the other players went through a light shootaround and some running.

The back-to-back is already the fourth of the season and one of two coming up this week.

-- Jeff Caplan

Hassell up, then down

Just when it seemed Trenton Hassell was catching on to coach Avery Johnson's system defensively as well as making his shots, he took a step back on Wednesday. Johnson did not play Hassell at all.

In a perfect world, Hassell would have been able to step right into Eddie Jones' spot as the starting two-guard, which would have allowed Jason Terry to remain in his new role as sixth man and backup point guard.

But, that just isn't happening. And in almost a desperate move to get a win on Wednesday against the T'Wolves, Johnson went against what he's been preaching and started Jason Terry. Hassell didn't get off the bench, coach's decision.

"Right now, he's still trying to get acclimated to what we're doing," Johnson said. "He hasn't played the type of defense that he wanted to and, again, his offense is coming around. So, he's still in play, still in the mix, it's just coach's decision last night. He could play 20 minutes the next game, who knows?"

-- Jeff Caplan

Avery weighs in on Cowboys-Packers

Now it's official, Avery Johnson has broken down tonight's big Cowboys-Packers game. No need to even watch it now.

"That's really easy," the Mavs coach said. "Romo is going to have one of his better games of the year, maybe not the best game, but he's going to have one of his better games, probably throw for about 320 [yards], T.O., three touchdowns. Cowboys 28-16."

For the record Avery has NFL Network and he'll be watching.

-- Jeff Caplan

T'Wolves gave it their best

Young rebuilding teams have two tendencies. One is that they are prone to getting blown out. The second is they play hard.

The Timberwolves lost for the 11th time in 13 games tonight, but they did not embarrass themselves, and actually they haven't done that much this year. Only four of those 11 losses have been by double digits and they played reasonably well against the Mavericks.

Dallas still won the game 109-103, but the Wolves reduced a 20-point deficit midway through the third quarter to three points midway through the fourth quarter. Avery Johnson is not going to be that happy, but then neither are the Wolves.

-- Jan Hubbard

It's happening

The Mavericks didn't do a great job of blitzing the Wolves early, but they've taken control of the game in the second quarter. Dallas led by only two points with 2:01 left in the first quarter, but closed with a rush and led 30-22 after one.

With 4:20 left in the second period, the Mavericks have taken a lead at 47-34 so they are taking advantage of their superior talent.

-- Jan Hubbard

Jet takes off early

Avery Johnson said after the morning practice that he had not been happy with the starting lineup this season, and he did something about it.

For the first time this season, Jason Terry and Erick Dampier were in the starting lineup.

One problem has been injuries. Eddie Jones is still out with a high ankle sprain and if Johnson had his way, Jones would be the starter. Jones is a good defender and three-point shooter and he is ideal in Johnson's system.

Avery said that he wanted to bring Terry off the bench all season, but it is a coach's prerogative to change his mind and Johnson did exactly that.

-- Jan Hubbard

Let's see how they do

The Mavericks can say all they want about respecting the Timberwolves, but the reality is they should be able to end that three-game losing streak tonight. The plan is simple. With a Minnesota roster void of a star and full of young players, the Mavericks have to send a message immediately.

When asked if they needed to jump on the Wolves early, Devin Harris said: Definitely. You don’t want to give them confidence. You got to jump on them early and try to run the out right away."

We'll see how they do.

-- Jan Hubbard

 

Getting to know...the Minnesota Timberwolves

After losing three straight games to Eastern Conference teams, the Mavericks will try to end their woes against the Minnesota Timberwolves. And what better team to get back on track through than the second-worst team in the NBA? The Mavericks have won their last five against Minnesota, but history is a bit irrelevant in previewing a matchup with the current T'Wolves squad. Because...

KG out, youngsters in
Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that Kevin Garnett was traded to Boston this off season, leaving the T'Wolves in full-fledged rebuilding mode. Of all the offers that were rumored to be floating around out there, the one they accepted from Boston was likely the one that fit their organizational direction best. In case you forgot who was involved in the trade:

Timberwolves send to Boston: Kevin Garnett
Celtics send to Minnesota: Forwards Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green; guards Sebastian Telfair; center Theo Ratliff, two future first-round draft picks

Jefferson developing nicely
Fourth-year power forward Al Jefferson was the biggest piece Minnesota received, and he's a very promising big man with loads of potential. Jefferson made a huge jump from his second year in Boston to his third with his production going up almost 220 percent. Since moving to Minnesota, Jefferson has stepped up even further and is putting up solid numbers and developing quickly. He even boosted his free throw percentage from 67.4 percent in his last season with Boston to 79.4 percent so far with Minnesota.

McCants starting to pan out
Minnesota's first rounder in 2005 (and their second first-round pick since 1999) Rashad McCants has also started to come into his own after two seasons of slim playing time and low production. McCants is the Timberwolves second leading scorer behind Jefferson and scored a career-high 33 against Sacramento earlier this season.

'Toine with another home
Just when you thought Antoine Walker might have landed on one team for the rest of his career, he gets traded again. From Boston to Dallas to Atlanta, then back to Boston then Miami and now Minnesota, Walker has bounced around quite a bit in the last five years. Traded just before the beginning of the regular season for Ricky Davis, Walker comes into a situation he was familiar with in his short stint with Atlanta. He's started to step up as a team leader and will likely work as a mentor to many of the T'Wolves' young forwards. He is the team's leading three-point shooter and third-leading scorer. Look for him to be amped up against his old team.

Video evidence

• Corey Brewer yucking it up in Istanbul
• You ain't a team, until you look like a team.
• There was a time, when people weren't sure about Kevin Garnett. Isiah Thomas' comments are...interesting.
• Marko Jaric has since figured out which way his jersey is supposed to go.

J-Ho frustrated with refs

Josh Howard picked up his fourth foul Monday night against the Wizards 21 seconds into the third quarter when the Mavs trailed by three points. He immediately took a seat on the bench and didn't return until the start of the fourth quarter when the Mavs trailed by 13.

He said he believes had he been on the floor, he could have prevented the Wizards' 38-point onslaught and helped the Mavs seize momentum.

He also said that the refs need to cut him a break now and again. He said he's not fouling as much as they're calling and that they need to let him play defense.

-- Jeff Caplan