azdad1978
Championship!!!!
David Vest
The Arizona Republic
May. 17, 2005 12:00 AM
DALLAS - Mavericks coach Avery Johnson and his top assistant Del Harris took a day off Monday while their players watched game film, then had a shootaround-like workout at American Airlines Center.
Perhaps the Dallas brain trust feels confident that the way the Mavericks beat the Suns in Game 4 - let Steve Nash score all he wants but keep his teammates out of the offense - is the way to go for the rest of what has become a best-of-three series, and that no more major strategizing is needed.
Several Dallas players said Monday that they think the Mavericks are on to something good.
"We found a solution that worked for us," center Erick Dampier said. "We're going to stay with it and see what happens in Game 5."
The Mavericks chose not to provide defensive help on Nash when he drove to the basket or to an open spot for a jump shot, opting instead to stick with their men and clog Nash's passing lanes.
Although Nash scored a career-best 48 points, he had just five assists to go with nine turnovers - and Dallas won by 10 points.
"I don't expect Nash to try and get 48 again," Mavericks swingman Jerry Stackhouse said. "We made him take shots, and he said to himself that if they're going to allow me to do this, then I'm going to take advantage of it. But we know that's not the best way for them to play, so we've just got to keep trying to force him to make plays."
While Nash's passes may be the focus of the Mavericks defense, keeping Dampier involved in the offense also will be key to their success when the series resumes with Game 5 on Wednesday at America West Arena.
The Mavericks are 2-0 when Dampier avoids early foul trouble and contributes more than 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The 7-footer scored just four points combined in the two losses, including zero in Game 1. That performance prompted teammate Dirk Nowitzki to challenge Dampier in the media.
Nowitzki said he and Dampier "are over" their feud, but he reapplied some pressure Monday.
"He's got to find a way to stay out of foul trouble early," Nowitzki said. " . . . He has to be a presence for us."
Stackhouse, who teamed with other Dallas reserves to outscore the Phoenix bench 36-3 in Game 4, disagreed and said the Mavericks can survive if Dampier gets saddled with early fouls.
"I don't think it's life or death," Stackhouse said. "We like to have our biggest player and our quote, unquote, enforcer on the floor, but we've shown we've had success with other (smaller) lineups."
Dampier got into foul trouble Sunday night, but not until the second half when the Mavericks held a 16-point lead.
He finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks.
"There's no pressure at all," Dampier said. "I know I'm capable of going out and achieving these numbers on a consistent basis. It's just a matter of finding a way to get myself involved."
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/0517mavs0517.html
The Arizona Republic
May. 17, 2005 12:00 AM
DALLAS - Mavericks coach Avery Johnson and his top assistant Del Harris took a day off Monday while their players watched game film, then had a shootaround-like workout at American Airlines Center.
Perhaps the Dallas brain trust feels confident that the way the Mavericks beat the Suns in Game 4 - let Steve Nash score all he wants but keep his teammates out of the offense - is the way to go for the rest of what has become a best-of-three series, and that no more major strategizing is needed.
Several Dallas players said Monday that they think the Mavericks are on to something good.
"We found a solution that worked for us," center Erick Dampier said. "We're going to stay with it and see what happens in Game 5."
The Mavericks chose not to provide defensive help on Nash when he drove to the basket or to an open spot for a jump shot, opting instead to stick with their men and clog Nash's passing lanes.
Although Nash scored a career-best 48 points, he had just five assists to go with nine turnovers - and Dallas won by 10 points.
"I don't expect Nash to try and get 48 again," Mavericks swingman Jerry Stackhouse said. "We made him take shots, and he said to himself that if they're going to allow me to do this, then I'm going to take advantage of it. But we know that's not the best way for them to play, so we've just got to keep trying to force him to make plays."
While Nash's passes may be the focus of the Mavericks defense, keeping Dampier involved in the offense also will be key to their success when the series resumes with Game 5 on Wednesday at America West Arena.
The Mavericks are 2-0 when Dampier avoids early foul trouble and contributes more than 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The 7-footer scored just four points combined in the two losses, including zero in Game 1. That performance prompted teammate Dirk Nowitzki to challenge Dampier in the media.
Nowitzki said he and Dampier "are over" their feud, but he reapplied some pressure Monday.
"He's got to find a way to stay out of foul trouble early," Nowitzki said. " . . . He has to be a presence for us."
Stackhouse, who teamed with other Dallas reserves to outscore the Phoenix bench 36-3 in Game 4, disagreed and said the Mavericks can survive if Dampier gets saddled with early fouls.
"I don't think it's life or death," Stackhouse said. "We like to have our biggest player and our quote, unquote, enforcer on the floor, but we've shown we've had success with other (smaller) lineups."
Dampier got into foul trouble Sunday night, but not until the second half when the Mavericks held a 16-point lead.
He finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks.
"There's no pressure at all," Dampier said. "I know I'm capable of going out and achieving these numbers on a consistent basis. It's just a matter of finding a way to get myself involved."
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/0517mavs0517.html
