Full-Court Press

D. George working hard

Devean George is with the Mavs on the road trip even though he's still out with that stress reaction injury in his left foot.

George is mostly doing treadmill work, up to 45 minutes at a time. The running is basically to see how the foot reacts to the constant pounding.

On Monday he'll have his final bone scan. If the scan is positive, he'll begin getting back on the court and then from there monitoring progress until he can finally suit up again, which is undetermined, but George seemed to think he's finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

-- Jeff Caplan

Unofficial starting lineup

Here's your Mavs' unofficial starting lineup for tonight's opener at Cleveland:

G - Devin Harris

G - Jerry Stackhouse

F - Eddie Jones

F - Dirk Nowitzki

C - DeSagana Diop

Josh Howard is suspended for the first two games. When he returns Saturday night against the Kings, figure Stackhouse goes back to the bench, Jones moves to shooting guard and Howard takes his usual spot at small forward.

-- Jeff Caplan

What's up with Kobe?

Kobe Bryant is starting the season on the inactive list. All signs pointed that he would play in tonight's opener against the Rockets, but when the league released official rosters Monday, listing active and inactive players, there was Kobe, along with Lamar Odom, on the inactive list. He had a knee issue earlier in training camp and a wrist injury at the tail end.

So is Kobe really hurt? Or is it his feelings that are hurt after coach Phil Jackson was the latest to verbally rub the disgruntled star the wrong way?

Kobe Sweepstakes talk certainly intensified over the weekend with reports that the Lakers and Bulls were in hot talks, but couldn't come to an agreement. Detroit was listed as a possible suitor and Washington made an appearance with its star Gilbert Arenas possibly going West. Wiz president Ernie Grunfeld has since shot down those rumors.

The one team that has not been on the rumor hot plate lately has been the Mavs. Owner Mark Cuban, now free of his Dancing With the Stars obligations, is free to wheel-and-deal, but he appears to be sitting pat. At last week's owners meetings in NY, he said he had not discussed Kobe with LA owner Jerry Buss.

Asked again if all is as quiet as it appears, Cuban responded Tuesday morning: "Nothing new on Kobe."

-- Jeff Caplan

Big job for E. Jones

For Eddie Jones' first appearance as Maverick, his job is no other than to guard LeBron James, perhaps the toughest cover in the game today.

"I've been in the league 14 years; Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Ray Allen, I mean come on, man.

"I've always taken those jobs of guarding the better player on each team. I think that's the reason I've been in the league for so long because teams know I'm going to go out there and I'm going to fight my butt off."

So there you go.

In other news with newcomer E. Jones, the 6-foot-6 swingman pretty much figures he's going to be the team's starting two-guard when Josh Howard returns on Saturday and the Mavs roll out their true starting lineup. Obviously, with Howard suspended for the first two games, Jones figures to be in the starting lineup regardless, and for at least two games, he figures to play quite a bit more than the 20 minutes he'll likely typically see during the season.

So is he ready for those kind of minutes against LeBron? Remember, Avery Johnson's been harping on him about getting into playing shape.

"I'm ready," Jones said. "I've been working my butt off on the floor and off the floor to get in better shape."

-- Jeff Caplan

Howard gets good news

Josh Howard was cleared to practice Tuesday after getting his sprained left wrist re-evaluated Monday afternoon. He got the hard cast removed and now has a removable splint.

Of course Howard won't play in the first two games due to his suspension, but this clears the way for him to be in the lineup Saturday at home against the Kings.

-- Jeff Caplan

Jet's coat drive

Jason Terry is teamming up with Dave & Buster's to help benefit area shelters with the first annual Jason Terry Coat Drive.

The program will last throughout November. Donation bins will be set up at all three Metroplex Dave & Buster's locations for fans to drop of any new or gently used coach. A Dave & Buster's $10 Power Card will be give to anyone who makes a donation.

Fans can also donate at the Nov. 17 home game vs. Memphis. Bins will be set up at all four entrances to American Airlines Center. Fans that bring five or more coats and/or blankets will receive a commemorative autographed Jason Terry photo (while supplies last).

"With the colder weather right around the corner, this is a great time to collect coats and blankets for people who need them, but just can't afford them," Terry said.

-- Jeff Caplan

6A and 6B

When asked if Jason Terry is the Sixth Man, what does that make Jerry Stackhouse, who played that role the past three seasons, coach Avery Johnson said: "6A and 6B."

Johnson went on to stay that he hopes by having Jet and Stack coming off the bench that it will bolster bench production which Johnson said he felt slipped considerably last season. He said he felt he had to overextend his starters last season, which, in part, led to the problems late in the season and the first-round upset.

-- Jeff Caplan

"Delayed takeoff"

Jason Terry has taken his move to the bench as well as anyone could have hoped. He continues to preach he's all about team and it's hard not to believe him.

When asked Friday about coming off the bench now that the move is official he responded in classic Jet fashion:

"Little delayed takeoff, but the Jet is still on the runway. Just a little holding pattern, but we'll be all right. I think that energy I'll be able to provide off the bench, seeing the flow of the game, you know I'm a good, solid veteran. I'm ready to start, come off the bench, whatever it takes for this team to be successful I'm there to fill that role. It takes me back to my college days where I was coming off the bench, best sixth man in the country, so I don't want to change anything."

-- Jeff Caplan

Speedy Harris

Devin Harris has been granted freedom from Avery Johnson to push the tempo as much as he can. Avery knows Devin's speed makes him dangerous in the open floor, so he's given him the green light, and that feeds Devin's confidence.

"That's when we're at our best. We've got a lot of athletic guys who can run -- not as fast as me -- but they definitely get up there just as quick as I can and it definitely plays to our advantage."

-- Jeff Caplan

Dirk at TMS

"Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!" Dirk Nowitzki will be practices those lines over the next week. He's serving as the Grand Marshall for the Dickies 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway on Nov. 4.

Jason Terry asked: "Will he be saying it in German?"

-- Jeff Caplan