VOL. 5 - ISSUE 8 october 31 - November 6, 2012
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By Geoff Case - gcase@blitzweekly.com
Mavs open with limited options
N
o Dirk Nowitzki for 4-6 weeks means the Mavs will be behind the 8-ball offensively when the season starts. The last few weeks of preseason has seen some key players that were going to help weather the storm get dinged up and even released. What does all this mean? We may be giving Eddie Curry significant minutes? Grab a tissue Mavs fans, the injury bug just feasted on the roster. We are going to take a look at who’s missing, who’s gone and who is coming to the rescue. Let’s break down who the key players the Mavs will be missing when the season opens on Tuesday against the Lakers. (Sans Nowitzki) Chris Kaman - Center The Mavs center was deemed inactive for Tuesday night’s game in LA meaning questions are arising about the pivotal position. Throughout Kaman’s career the one thing that has kept him from being an elite player is his ability to stay healthy for 82 games. Kaman has missed the last three games while nursing a strained right calf. The 7-footer also missed a few days of practice earlier in camp due to a sprained back. Timetable to recover: Day to day Delonte West – Shooting Guard The team released the tough and feisty guard last week. “We have suspended D e l o n t e for conduct detrimental to the team,” GM Donnie Nelson said “The suspension is effective immediately and no other statements will be issued.” While the Mavs remained tight lipped about the reasons behind the departure the Mavs are losing a key veteran in their rotation. The amount of playing time for Rodrigue Beaubois and Dominique Jones will increase as a result. The Mavs are losing a solid perimeter defender and scorer. Delonte tweeted shortly after he was released: “I love the city of Dallas, I love playin [sic] in the NBA,’’ he writes. “If I’m not what u lookin 4, that’s fine. Just dont kick me in my ass on the way out the door. I didn’t do anything to deserve that...” “I’m just sittin here across from the
arena wit tear in my eyes.’’ Timetable to recover: Never. Recent Signings: Eddie Curry – Center Eddie Curry was signed by the Mavs last week after he was released from the Spurs. Curry’s NBA career has been a comedy of errors and tragedies since 2009. However, with Brendan Wright, Chris Kaman and Dirk Nowitzki down, Curry may actually see extended playing time initially. He actually looked pretty effective in his limited minutes in the pre-season. I feel I’m in a good situation,” Curry told the San Antonio Express-News. “I worked hard this summer. Every game it’s just about showing everybody what I can do. I’m trying to focus on defense and rebounding, trying to play in the system and soak up as much as I can. The 7-footer had seven rebounds and was 4 of 8 shooting, including a nifty layup to finish a break early in the third. Who can help? Jae Crowder - Forward (Rookie) This rookie has been playing like a seasoned veteran since the start of the preseason. The Mavericks got another scare Friday when standout rookie Jae Crowder left Friday’s game with an apparent hamstring injury. It doesn’t appear, however, that the injury is serious so Mavs fans can breathe a sigh of relief. Crowder, who expected to open the regular season as the starting small forward, grabbed his hamstring and walked off the court with just a minute left against Charlotte. After the game, he said he was fine and the injury scared him more than anything. “It didn’t pop or anything. It just got pulled a little bit,” Crowder said according to DallasNews.com. The fact Crowder was apparently able to escape without injury is a big boost for the Mavericks. Crowder has played well during the preseason, averaging 11.4 points per game. He will be one of the biggest surprises of the NBA season and I believe will play a big role early.
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