Mavs Practice Report (11/21/09)
In the midst of a grueling 82-game NBA schedule there are few days to simply hit the practice court and correct the mistakes made on the hardwood.
With a 10-3 record, five straight wins and a third-day break in between games, the Mavs took advantage of the kind schedule and concentrated on sharpening up their offense on Saturday. With health a concern for Dallas, as three starters (Erick Dampier, Josh Howard and Shawn Marion) sat out Friday night's 104-102 win over the Sacramento Kings, the team looked to integrate role players more into Mavs coach Rick Carlisle's system. In doing so, the team went through almost the entire offensive playbook, practicing against the assistant coaches.
"We're practicing today and taking tomorrow off, so we had to get some things done," Carlisle said after Saturday's practice. "It can be tough after a game day, but they did a good job."
"Today was offensive-oriented and then Monday will be more geared towards defense. We have some guys that need to catch up. (Tim Thomas) has been out. He's gotten some reps but now he has to be able to play three positions, so he caught up a little bit. (Marion) has been out a little bit, so he needed to get some reps. And we're just solidifying what we're doing."
With so many players in and out of the Mavs' lineup, the team has needed production from multiple sources. The contributions have come from different last names on the back of Dallas uniforms on a nightly basis. But with different players stepping up every game, Carlisle says it has caused the team to lack a true chemistry on the court.
"We have to work toward gaining a team rhythm offensively and staying persistent defensively," Carlisle said.
While the Mavs coach has liked his team's effort, and of course the results in the win column, he is still looking for consistency from the Dallas bench.
(Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
Dallas is looking for more from Kris Humphries at both ends
Despite games like Friday night's win, where the Dallas reserves out scored their Sacramento counterparts 52-14, there have also been nights where the bench scoring fell solely on the shoulders of sixth man Jason Terry. With Drew Gooden inserted into the starting lineup in Dampier's stead, Carlisle is looking for more from Thomas and Kris Humphries in the interior.
"With Damp being out, it brings other guys into the equation. Humphries has got to play well for us. Thomas is healthy now, and he's back in there playing two or three diferent positions. And so, we need everybody. We really do."
Humphries and Thomas combined for 26 of the 52 bench points for the Mavs on Friday night. While Thomas will see time both in the paint and out on the perimeter, Humphries' role is set in place as the grunt-working, hustle play-making, energy guy.
"He's kind of like a construction worker with Sunday school clothes on," Carlisle said of Humphries' ability to bang in the paint while also having a smooth jumper from the perimeter. "He's a dirty work guy, but also he has some very good skill aspects to his game."
"A construction worker dressed up for Sunday school," Humphries repeated. "The reality is, guys off the bench have to be blue-collar type of guys. You have to be willing to do the things that guys can't necessarily do if they play 40 minutes a game. I'm just a guy out there playing hard and running the floor."
If Humphries' willingness to create hustle plays continues, it can only enhance the Dallas bench, making the Mavs even more well-rounded. Despite their health situation, Dallas sits tied atop the Western Conference with the Phoenix Suns. Still the Mavs are being overlooked by many across the league as serious contenders for the title.
"You know what, it's early and as long as we can slide under the radar, we are cool with that. It's not where you are now, it's where you are at the end of the year. For us, we're not cheering because we're 10-3 and at the top off the Western Conference. We're sitting here thinking we have to keep stringing together wins and working on our stuff, and it's going to lead to a good record in the end," Humphries said.
Dallas hits the court again Tuesday night to start a stretch of four games in five nights, as the Mavs host the Golden State Warriors at 7:30 p.m. CT. The game will air locally on Fox Sports Southwest. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling (214) 747-MAVS.
The Mavericks and the NBA have introduced the official NBA All-Star game ballot, featuring Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Josh Howard, Shawn Marion and Jason Terry. For more on how to vote for your favorite Mavs for the All-Star game, to be held at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, visit Mavs.com.
Follow Mavs.com’s Earl K. Sneed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/EarlKSneed.
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