DALLAS -- When it comes to percentages, center Chris Kaman doesn't put any of those statistics on his chances of playing in the Dallas Mavericks' home opener against the Charlotte Bobcats.
"I don't do that crap,'' Kaman said after Friday's practice at American Airlines Center. "If I play, I play, if I don't play I'm hoping to play and I'm wanting to play.
"But at the same time if it's not something I'm able to do, then I'm not going to do it. I'm going to do what's best for the team and also what's best for myself long-term, because if I play now and set myself that much farther back that hurts the team and it also hurts me.''
Signed to a one-year, $8 million free agent contract this past July, Kaman missed the first two games while nursing a strained right calf. The Mavs missed his inside scoring presence, especially during Wednesday's 113-94 loss to the Utah Jazz.
"He went through almost everything today, so we’ll see how he is tomorrow,'' coach Rick Carlisle said. "He did well so far today.
"We’re hopefully. This is a very positive thing. We've got to see how he comes out of it tomorrow.''
The Charlotte game, of course, has bene the goal Kaman set for himself to play. That time is just a day away.
"I can't guarantee it at this point, but I've got to see how I feel,'' Kaman said. "I'm off the medication now, so hopefully it feels good and the swelling stays down.
"I felt pretty good today, and I'm going to see how good I feel tomorrow after a day of hard work on it.''
-- Dwain Price
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