Mavericks Practice Report (03/04/10)
There's a bitter sweet feeling in the Dallas Mavericks' locker room right now. That's because there will be a gaping hole in the Mavericks' rotation the next time they take the court.
(Photo by Danny Bollinger/NBAE via Getty Images)
Though the Mavericks tallied their ninth consecutive win after Wednesday's 112-109 home victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, it came with a price. The health of the reigning Sixth Man of the Year was the price tag.
Terry suffered a blow to the face off of an unintentional elbow from Wolves swingman Corey Brewer in the third quarter of the win. Though the Mavs' deadly sharpshooter and unquestioned leader of the second unit returned to the court and finished the game en route to a 26-point performance, the news on Thursday was not good. Terry is scheduled for a surgery on Friday to address facial injuries from the incident. It is unclear when he'll return to game action.
"(Terry) has got some things going on in his facial area," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said after the team's Thursday practice. "I can't get specific on it, because they're going to check it out when they get in there...We'll know more probably after tomorrow.
"In the meantime, it's definitely a tough loss for us. But (backup shooting guard) is a deep position, and we're going to have to fill it by committee. We're going to have to have other guys step up. It presents opportunity for other guys."
If Terry is out for a substantial amount of time, the Mavs will have to make up for his output. The veteran is the only Maverick that has played in all 62 games for the team this season, averaging 17.0 points, 3.8 assists, 2.0 rebounds and knocking down 36.4 percent from 3-point range.
"It's not easy when you lose a guy of that caliber, but it's opportunity. When you face this type of adversity as a team, how you handle it continues to define who you are. We've got to make the most of this," Carlisle said.
If replacing Terry's production is a duty for a full committee, then J.J. Barea, DeShawn Stevenson and rookie Rodrigue Beaubois are each going to be asked to elevate their games.
(Photo by Danny Bollinger/NBAE via Getty Images)
"There's a lot of guys that can fill that position...Stevenson is certainly going to play some there, Beaubois can play some there and J.J. can play some at that spot," the coach added. "The different guys that we have available all bring something a little different. Stevenson's a tough, physical defender who plays well in our system. Beaubois can bring us some athleticism and quickness. Barea brings some play-making. All those guys are going to be certainly involved in the thought process, and a lot of them will be playing quickly." "We're going to miss a great player in JET (Terry)," Barea said of his teammate's likely absence. "He'll be back soon, he's a fighter. We can't wait to have him back -- a great off the bench player. He's one of the main guys on this team, so we've got a bunch of guys that's got to step up and play for him."
While the injury undoubtedly is a depressing topic, it does allow Stevenson to crack the rotation. The swingman has seen limited time as a bench contributor, and even started during Caron Butler's two-game absence after a bad reaction to medication. If his number is called, No. 92 is ready to step up to the plate.
"(Terry) has been a real vocal guy for me. I've been trying to crack the rotation, but at the same time Coach has been talking to me. It's hard to get mad when you're winning. As long as we're getting the wins...I've been getting in, sometimes starting, so I've been getting my opportunities. I've just got to go out there and do the things that I know I can do," Stevenson said.
While Stevenson looks for his role with the team, especially with Terry out, point guard Jason Kidd returns to the squad after taking a night off to rest. The 36-year-old Kidd played heavy minutes coming out of the All-Star break, so having the opportunity to watch the team from the comfort of his home allowed the future Hall-of-Famer to see the team from a new perspective.
"I think it was a great thing for me," Kidd said of the much-needed rest. "The unfortunate thing was JET getting hit in the face, but that happens. But it was good watching from a different seat."
Kidd watched as the rookie Beaubois ran the show at the lead guard spot in the fourth quarter. He also looked on as Barea began the game at the point for just the second time in his 18 starts this season. Kidd says the experience for the two cat-quick guards will be valuable as the team creeps towards the postseason.
(Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
"It was good for my teammates, for Roddy (Beaubois) and J.J. to get some time under their belt...It was great for (Beaubois) to be in a close game, to have to make plays, to have to read and react in a game situation. You can simulate that situation in practice, but with the crowd and understanding what was at stake, I think it was great for him to be in that position," Kidd said.
Now with Kidd back, and Terry possibly on the shelf, the Mavericks focus on the task of playing basketball. That begins with matching up with the Sacramento Kings on Friday night at the American Airlines Center.
"The big thing is we've played with injuries and guys missing a couple games, so this isn't anything new to us," Kidd said. "It's something that we look forward to getting some guys some minutes, and look at it like JET gets some rest because he's been logging a lot of minutes, too.
"It's a two-way street, it gets the other guys an opportunity and it also gives JET a time to catch his breath and be ready to go once the playoffs start."
The Mavs try to run their winning streak to double digits, hosting the Kings on Friday night. The game will air locally on Fox Sports Southwest at 7:30 p.m. CT. The Mavs lead the season series 2-0. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling (214) 747-MAVS.
For up to the minute news on the Dallas Mavericks, visit Mavs.com. Follow Earl K. Sneed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/EarlKSneed.
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