Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

New heights: Dallas Mavericks' Nowitzki playing at special level - even for him

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November 20

Dallas Morning News

"It wasn't completely shocking. He's done it before. But when crunch time cometh, great players tend to stay in their wheelhouse, not stray toward plan B. But that's the way Nowitzki rolls. "Some guys approach the game by getting to the basket first," he said. "I usually try to open my drive up by making a couple jump shots, so I got it all messed up." Or, maybe, he's got it all figured out, and it's the rest of us who have it all wrong, because it's hard to argue Nowitzki's logic given the results. "I was able to make a couple [of jumpers] in the second half and they were really pushing up on me, so I was able to get to the basket for some and-ones," he said. "I always approach it the ..."

Tim Thomas' presence will give Dallas Mavericks a boost

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November 20

Dallas Morning News

"The Mavericks got Tim Thomas back on Wednesday, and I can't stress how important this could be for them before the season is done. Thomas was just knocking the rust off after September knee surgery, but at the end of the first half, he made the kind of hustle play - digging a ball out of a scrum, then hitting a jumper that was just a shade after the buzzer - that fans love and coaches are even more fond of. Thomas' worth will be as a spread-the-floor shooter and a post-up threat. But he's bigger than virtually every other Maverick except Erick Dampier and Dirk Nowitzki. And he's a tough player. There may be times when he doesn't play a whole lot. But there's going to be other stretches ..."

News encouraging on Mavericks' Dampier, source says

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November 20

Dallas Morning News

"All major medical issues that would be considering life- or career-threatening have been eliminated in regard to center Erick Dampier's health, an NBA source said Thursday. The Mavericks have breathed a sigh of relief with the results but are still waiting on the returns from more tests, the source added. Dampier became ill in pregame warm-ups Sunday against Detroit and was transported to a hospital in Pontiac, Mich."

Mavs outplay Spurs in OT

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November 19

San Antonio Express-News

"An hour before his team was set to tip off a key Southwest Division game at American Airlines Center on Wednesday night, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was talking about the giant chemistry project he'd undertaken. Long story short, there is no pushing fast-forward when it comes to the integration of seven new players. "Over 50 percent of the team is new," Popovich said. "That's a lot of new bodies. Just people-wise, relationship-wise, people understanding the system - it's a real work in progress." What the Spurs have learned over the past week, leading up to Wednesday's 99-94 overtime loss to Dallas, which sunk them below .500: Chemistry projects are even more difficult when some of the most ..."

This is Dirk's team, pure and simple

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November 19

Dallas Morning News

columnist Eddi Sefko

"Win, lose or draw, the Mavericks' fate lately always seems to come down to Dirk Nowitzki. And as long as he's on, the Mavericks can lack all the style points in the world and still have a great chance to win. The game in Milwaukee proved it. Wednesday night's 99-94 victory over the Spurs reaffirmed it when Nowitzki tipped in the basket that ended up getting the Mavericks to overtime. The Mavericks slogged around for three quarters, couldn't find the basket with a GPS and basically looked like they should be losing instead of up by four points, which they were. But while the Mavericks go along through this early season, the only real constant has been Dirk. No matter who's hurt or who's ..."

Mavericks race by Spurs 99-94 in overtime win

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November 19

Dallas Morning News

"Dirk Nowitzki made play after play, frustrating the San Antonio Spurs and Tim Duncan as he did. And then he went to the offensive end. Nowitzki had 41 points, including 11 of the Mavericks' 15 points in overtime as he led them to a hard-earned 99-94 victory over the Spurs on Wednesday night at American Airlines Center. But what people wanted to talk about most was his defense on Duncan. Nowitzki was asked to guard the Spurs' low-post master during the final minutes of overtime, and he forced Duncan to miss close-range shots on three consecutive possessions, which allowed the Mavericks to pull away to a 97-91 lead and hang on for their fourth consecutive victory since losing to the Spurs ..."

Tim Thomas back to contribute for Mavericks

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November 19

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"While the injuries and illnesses keep taking away players, the Dallas Mavericks were happy to get what they hope to be a key contributor back Wednesday night. Tim Thomas suited up for the first time this season and entered the game against San Antonio with 3:25 left in the first quarter. It was a moment Thomas has been looking forward to for a long time. He was getting tired of being a spectator to the Mavericks' 8-3 start."

After defending Durant, Spurs' Hill wants Nowitzki

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November 18

San Antonio Express-News

"Fresh off performing yeoman's work defending Oklahoma City scoring star Kevin Durant, Spurs guard George Hill wouldn't mind an even tougher assignment tonight in Dallas. Bring on Dirk Nowitzki? "If the opportunity is there to guard Dirk, I'm going to welcome it with open arms," Hill said. "I like the challenge. I like to defend." Hill's dream matchup is probably not going to happen. Though the 6-foot-2 Hill has demonstrated considerable ability to defend players taller than he is, the 7-foot Nowitzki is probably a little out of his range. Durant, 6-foot-9, was the tallest player Hill had been asked to defend. Hill held his own, helping to limit to Durant to 6-of-18 shooting. He finished ..."

Lob from Kidd to Beaubois not just passing fancy for Dallas Mavericks

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November 18

Dallas Morning News

"Roddy Beaubois isn't even a month into his NBA career and he's already a regular on the random, nightly top-10 highlight shows. OK, maybe not a regular. But he's been on a few already, and figures to make a few more because of a play the Mavericks don't have to call or make up a fancy name for. The lob pass from point guard Jason Kidd to Beaubois has become a useful tool for the Mavericks. They have run it on the first play of at least two games that Beaubois has started. Against Milwaukee on Monday, they ran it after a timeout late in the second quarter and it worked perfectly to trigger an 11-2 Mavericks surge to finish the half with a 12-point lead. Opponents haven't figured it out ..."

With Dallas Mavericks' Dampier ailing, thank goodness for Gooden

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November 17

Dallas Morning News

"The Mavericks don't know when they'll get Erick Dampier back. Until they do, they and all Mavericks fans should be thankful for Drew Gooden. Dampier, who became ill in pregame warm-ups Sunday and was hospitalized, rejoined the Mavericks Monday night after the game in Milwaukee. As coach Rick Carlisle said, the 6-11 center "will undergo further tests when he gets back with our medical people. He's symptom-free at this time and in good spirits." Until the Mavericks' doctors and specialists determine what went wrong with Dampier, it is reassuring to have Gooden. For the second game in a row, he had a double-double, this time pouring in 22 points to go with 14 rebounds. He's a starter in ..."

Nowitzki's 'lucky' bounce lifts Dallas Mavericks in OT

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November 17

Dallas Morning News

"In billiards, they call it slop. On a Monday night in Wisconsin when the manpower shortage is critical, the legs on the healthy players are dead and it's the end of a long road trip, the Mavericks will call it a pure shooter's bounce. And in this game, slop counts. Dirk Nowitzki - given a chance to play hero because rookie Roddy Beaubois made the defensive play of the game - launched an 18-foot jumper at the overtime buzzer that hit front rim, back rim and the backboard glass before falling through the net for a 115-113 Mavericks victory over Milwaukee at the Bradley Center. It capped a 32-point night for Nowitzki, left the Bucks frustrated after a hard-fought rally and ensured that ..."

Nowitzki has the last word

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November 17

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"The Dallas Mavericks' dynamic duo was enough to end the Milwaukee Bucks' home-court winning streak on Monday night. Barely. Point guard Jason Kidd finished with 17 assists, the last one on an inbounds pass to forward Dirk Nowitzki, who sank an 18-foot fadeaway jumper to give the Mavericks a heart-pounding, 115-113 overtime victory. It was a prime-time play by the two Dallas veterans and spoiled a determined second-half comeback by the Bucks (5-3), who had their four-game winning streak snapped and fell to 4-1 at the Bradley Center. The Bucks' best defender, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, had a hand in Nowitzki's face, but the 7-footer's shot hit the back and front of the rim and the backboard ..."

Mavs snap Pistons' winning streak

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November 16

Detroit Free Press

"Dallas took advantage of a poor shooting night by Ben Gordon and used a balanced scoring attack to defeat the Pistons, 95-90, tonight at the Palace. Dirk Nowitzki led five Mavericks in double figures with 25 points, as the Western Conference crew improved to 7-3 while the Pistons fell to 5-5. Gordon, the team's leading scorer at 24.3 points per game, was 1-for-14 from the field through three quarters and finished with just five points, missing a three with 2.5 seconds left that would've tied the game. He was 1-for-16 from the field. Rodney Stuckey had 17 of his 28 points in the first half and was the only player on either side in double figures as the Pistons took a 46-40 halftime lead, ..."

Pistons hang close but can't shake Mavs

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November 16

Detroit News

"Never mind he was struggling, Ben Gordon was going to get the last shot. With the game on the line Sunday, Gordon had the ball and it was his shot to take. He would take the Pistons into overtime, or to defeat. It turned out a defeat, 95-90, to the Mavericks. Gordon's 3-point attempt at tying the game bounced off and Dallas guard Jason Terry made two foul shots with 0.5 seconds left, sealing the visitors' victory. Gordon's final stat line: five points on 1-for-16 shooting, 0-for-6 from 3-point range, and 3-for-6 from the foul line. "I had a good look. I just wasn't able to knock it down," Gordon said of the potential tying shot. "I just wasn't able to knock any down. My team was ..."

Mavericks 95, Pistons 90: Will Bynum's late run isn't enough for Pistons

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November 16

Detroit News

"This time, staying close didn't prove good enough for the Pistons. They stayed close to the Mavericks in the second half and had a chance to extend the game to overtime, but wound up losing, 95-90. Ben Gordon's three-point attempt at tying the game was no good with 0.5 second left. Dallas guard Jason Terry was fouled and made both free throws to end the scoring. Gordon struggled with five points Sunday on 1-for-16 shooting (0-for-6 from three-point range). Rodney Stuckey scored 28 and Will Bynum had 27 for the Pistons. Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 for Dallas. Bynum's two free throws cut the Dallas lead to 91-88 with 52 seconds left. But after a timeout, the Mavericks worked the ball to ..."

Dallas Mavericks' Beaubois impresses with scoring, play

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November 16

Dallas Morning News

"When working out Roddy Beaubois before the draft, the Mavericks went to great lengths to make sure they would be able to snag him late in the first round of the draft. Worried that another team might become infatuated with the young point guard from the French Indies, they suggested he allow competitors to think that he couldn't speak much English, even though he's better at the language than some Americans. When you see games like Sunday's, you know why the Mavericks were paranoid. The kid was big in tilting momentum to the Mavericks in the third quarter, hitting all six of his shots for a season-best 14 points. His perfectly timed pass to Shawn Marion for a fast-break jam was enough to ..."

Dallas Mavericks survive Pistons, Dampier scare

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November 16

Dallas Morning News

"The Dallas Mavericks survived a scary situation Sunday evening that had nothing to do with a heartfelt 95-90 win over the Detroit Pistons. When Erick Dampier left the pregame warm-ups because he wasn't feeling right, nobody was quite sure what was happening. Minutes later, with emergency medical personnel working on Dampier, he was whisked by ambulance from the Palace of Auburn Hills to a Pontiac, Mich., hospital. By the end of the game, the Mavericks had gotten news that Dampier's symptoms had subsided. No team personnel divulged what those symptoms were, but an NBA official said that doctors had ruled out any serious health issues, including H1N1. Dampier apparently was lightheaded ..."

Dallas Mavericks' defense looks to tighten up when quarters reach final seconds

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November 15

Dallas Morning News

"The Dallas Mavericks are 6-3, a massive improvement on the 2-7 record last season after nine games. But that doesn't mean they don't have issues. One of the most concerning is what's happened to them at the end of quarters, when they have too often lost momentum by giving up last-gasp buckets. Look only as far as their last two losses for proof. Five times out of eight quarters, the Mavericks were burned by 3-pointers on the opponent's last possession of a period. Three times, it cost the Mavericks the lead. Included in that bunch is the Peja Stojakovic 3-pointer that forced overtime in New Orleans. The Mavericks were sapped in the overtime and lost by seven. "They're always ..."

Wolves show fire, then crash

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November 14

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"They won't be pushed around, these Timberwolves. They won't back away from a challenge. Well, unless the challenge involves basketball. The Timberwolves showed commendable spirit and admirable solidarity when Friday's game devolved into a shoving and shouting match. Unfortunately, Dallas displayed its superior ability to turn pique into points, and the result was the Wolves' ninth consecutive loss, 89-77 at Target Center. Ryan Hollins, a Maverick himself for 27 games last season, became the first Timberwolves player to be ejected in two seasons. His feisty attitude (and errant elbows) in the third quarter earned two technical fouls, not to mention Dirk Nowitzki's fury. "Situations like ..."

Mavericks hand Timberwolves ninth straight loss

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November 14

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Perhaps when the Timberwolves become more experienced, they will get inspired by minor skirmishes and put that emotion to good use. Friday night against the Dallas Mavericks, they weren't yet ready to do that. Two flare-ups in the third quarter, the second resulting in the ejection of starting forward Ryan Hollins, triggered an 89-77 win for Dallas in front of 12,372 at Target Center and led to the Wolves' ninth straight loss. Dallas followed up the tense moments with a 16-7 run and led by 20 in the fourth quarter, when all-star forward Dirk Nowitzki, one of the Wolves' agitators, didn't even play. Nowitzki had done enough damage with a game-high 20 points, 11 rebounds and three of the ..."

Dallas Mavericks never stay down for long

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November 14

Dallas Morning News

"Resiliency is something good NBA teams have. The really great teams have next-level abilities to forget tough losses and get angry enough to take it out on the unlucky team next on the schedule. So far, the Mavericks have been outstanding at coming back from defeat. For the third time, they responded to a loss by drilling their next opponent. After the season opener, they came back to beat the Lakers by 14. After losing at New Orleans, they whacked Toronto by 28. On Friday, the Mavericks put the loss in San Antonio behind them by hammering Minnesota by 12. They were up by 20-plus for most of the fourth quarter. What the Mavericks have to show next is that they can be resilient in all ..."

Dallas Mavericks sideline Howard

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November 14

Dallas Morning News

"The one thing coach Rick Carlisle wanted to avoid with Josh Howard was having him bouncing in and out of the lineup. But that's exactly what has happened. After starting three games, Howard was put back on the inactive list and will be out indefinitely to give his surgically repaired left ankle more time to heal. "This decision is about my health," Howard said. "I want to be 100 percent. There's no in-between with me. I tried in-between, and it wasn't best for me or my team. I just want to get healthy and help this team win." Owner Mark Cuban said the timetable for Howard's return is uncertain. "Anybody who puts out a date is guessing," Cuban said. "It could be a week or a month." ..."

Howard out indefinitely

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November 13

Dallas Morning News

"Josh Howard is going back on the inactive list indefinitely, coach Rick Carlisle said after the Mavericks' shootaround this morning. The Mavericks made the decision to give Howard more time to recover from his off-season left ankle surgery after he had difficulty in the second of back-to-back games earlier this week. Howard did not re-injure the ankle. But he was limping on it during the second half of the San Antonio game Wednesday and was taken out for the rest of the game. After the game, he called it a speed bump. Howard missed the first five games of the season, returned Saturday against Toronto and played solidly in two games before having trouble at San Antonio."

Mavericks struggle to start games with aggression

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November 13

Dallas Morning News

"The Dallas Mavericks are like teenagers right now. They'd like to think they know everything. But deep down, they understand they have a lot to learn. The proof comes quickly in games. It's there when they fall behind by 16 points to San Antonio or 17 points to Houston. It seems to happen all the time, like acne on a high schooler. And it's just as irritating and ugly, but hopefully not as hard to get rid of. "Our biggest hurdle is, when we have an opportunity to seize the moment, we don't be the aggressor," Jason Terry said. "We kind of wait for things to happen. Once we get over that hurdle, then we're going to be a championship team. "But until we get that killer instinct and get ..."

Mavericks face a friendlier schedule in next few weeks

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November 13

Dallas Morning News

"As you've probably noticed, we here at the newsletter are in the overreaction business. And business is booming. Eighty-two times a season, baby. One game, the Mavericks look great and beat the ever-lovin' stuffings out of Toronto or Houston. The next game, they can't do anything unless Dirk Nowitzki does it for them. The only constant seems to be that they always are fighting from behind. They have led after the first quarter just twice in eight games. If the Mavericks can figure out a way to fix that, they'll be fine, especially when you look at the schedule coming up. Of their next 11 games starting Friday against Minnesota, six are against the Eastern Conference and three others are ..."

Ex-Bucks stop here in Spurs' victory over Mavs

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November 12

San Antonio Express-News

"Eight months ago, the Spurs and Mavericks engaged in a five-game, first-round playoff series that, for citizens of San Antonio, was pretty forgettable. For a pair of soon-to-be-former Milwaukee Bucks, meanwhile, the 2009 postseason might as well not have happened at all. Keith Bogans decompressed at his house in Orlando, Fla. Richard Jefferson returned home to California, and ignored the NBA altogether. "I was going through a bout of depression at the time, because we didn't make the playoffs," Jefferson said. "I tried to tune out basketball." On Wednesday night, Jefferson and Bogans found themselves squarely in the middle of the I-35 rivalry. There was no place else they'd rather be. ..."

McDyess and friends limit Nowitzki

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November 12

San Antonio Express-News

"As Spurs forward Antonio McDyess walked on the court for the second half against the Mavericks, one bit of recent history ran around his brain: Dirk Nowitzki's 29 fourth-quarter points against the Jazz on Nov.3. McDyess was the primary defender on Nowitzki in the first half of the Spurs' 92-83 victory Wednesday, limiting him to seven points on 3-for-13 shooting. Determined to prevent another second-half explosion by the 2007 MVP, McDyess made sure all his teammates were ready for a Nowitzki surge. "You can't overlook that," McDyess said. "I think when the fourth quarter came, we all made a conscious effort to help out on him and make it hard for him." By game's end, Nowitzki had scored 29 ..."

Spurs can always depend on defense

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November 12

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"The defensive neophytes got a look Wednesday at how the old pros do it. This really was Veterans Day. San Antonio is a crafty, nose-to-the-grindstone team when it comes to defense. The Spurs play like grizzled guys who have been there so many times, it's second nature. Even poor defenders, like Michael Finley, morph into decent stoppers, or at least hard workers defensively, when they get to San Antonio. The Mavericks found out real quick just what the difference is between a new defensive attitude and one that's been ingrained for years. They struggled to shoot 30 percent most of the night and really were fortunate to have a slim chance at pulling out a win at AT&T Center. It didn't ..."

Mavericks still demanding too much from Dirk

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November 12

Dallas Morning News

"For better or worse, Dirk Nowitzki tried to do it all Wednesday night. Nobody else was volunteering for the job, so he figured he'd go for it. On the second night of back-to-back games, and with San Antonio's dig-in defense constantly hounding him, Nowitzki's magic didn't happen this time. He had moments. But in the end, it was a hard lesson that this particular Mavericks team can't revert to the days when they asked Dirk to do it all. The 9-for-27 shooting only tells part of the story. It was a rugged night all the way for Nowitzki - and everybody else - because of the Spurs' defense. But in the end, it still looked like the Mavericks were asking for too much from their star. "It's ..."

Howard limps out of Mavericks' loss to Spurs

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November 12

Dallas Morning News

"For the second season in a row, the Mavericks made a trip to San Antonio when the Spurs were missing two prongs of their superstar tripod. And, for the second time, the news was bad for the Mavericks - on multiple fronts this time. They tried to fashion another remarkable comeback, but it wasn't going to happen against the short-handed Spurs, who made enough plays to fend off the Mavericks, 92-83, Wednesday night at AT&T Center. The game was bad enough, but the news also was grim on Josh Howard, who left the game with 8:46 to go in the third quarter. It was his third game back after off-season ankle surgery. "He was limping, so we took him out," coach Rick Carlisle said. "It's the first ..."

Rockets start fast, fade fast

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November 11

Houston Chronicle

"The Rockets fell for it. They were seduced by success, tricked and, before long, beaten. After leading by 17 in the first half, they looked the other way when the Mavericks landed a sucker punch every bit as hard as the Rockets' haymaker that came too early to score a knockout. It took the Mavericks six minutes to wipe out the Rockets' 17-point edge. Dallas spent the rest of the second half blowing them out, topping the Rockets' largest lead on the way to a 121-103 rout Tuesday night at American Airlines Center. "It was fool's gold," said Shane Battier, who made just one of eight shots. "Aaron (Brooks) was scoring really easily in the first half, and we sort of thought, 'Well, all right, ..."

Mavericks' defense gets going after slow start to rout Houston

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November 11

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"It would be nice to say that coach Rick Carlisle was peeved with the defense in the first quarter and a half Tuesday night. But for that to happen, there would have had to be some defense played by the Mavericks. If ever they needed a crystal-clear illustration of what defense means to this team, it was on display as the Mavericks pulled together late in the first half, then smothered the Houston Rockets in the second for a 121-103 victory at American Airlines Center. The Mavericks were invisible on the defensive end until a spirited finish to the first half. After that, they clamped down hard on the Rockets, who out-everythinged the Mavericks early, but were manhandled late. When Dirk ..."

Erick Dampier making things happen

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November 11

Dallas Morning News

"It's a nonissue, and don't worry. As long as the Mavericks are winning, it won't become an issue. Not when it comes to playing time split between Erick Dampier and Drew Gooden. But there's a bigger picture that needs to be examined. The more games Dampier continues to pile up like Tuesday's against Houston, the tougher it's going to be to sit him. That said, there's no way the franchise allows Dampier to get to the minutes-threshold incentive that would trigger the final year of his seven-year contract at a guarantee of more than $13 million. Ain't gonna happen. But imagine the uncomfortable situation if Dampier keeps rolling up numbers like the 14 points, 20 rebounds and three blocks ..."

Once kick-started, the Dallas Mavericks roll

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November 11

Dallas Morning News

"Asked what Rick Carlisle did to get the Dallas Mavericks' attention after what the coach called an abysmal first half, Dirk Nowitzki said he "almost broke his toe." No, it wasn't because Carlisle was trying to kick some players in the pants. A laundry bin had taken the brunt of the boot Carlisle delivered while driving home how terrible his team had been on the defensive end while falling 17 points behind. The message got through loud and clear. The Mavericks smothered the Houston Rockets and speedy point guard Aaron Brooks, wiping out the visitors in the second half for a 121-103 victory Tuesday night at American Airlines Center. The defensive turnaround was nothing short of remarkable. ..."

Mark Cuban, Tom Leppert help get 2010 NBA All-Star voting started as ballot is unveiled

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November 11

Dallas Morning News

"Dallas Mavericks players, Mavs owner Mark Cuban and Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert got the voting started today for the upcoming 2010 NBA All-Star game, which will be played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington on Feb. 14. Four of the Mavs dancers and mascot Champ helped unveil this year's ballot for the annual NBA event this afternoon at American Airlines Center. Cuban and Leppert talked about how excited they were to have the All-Star game coming to North Texas. "The entire nation - the world, really - will shine their light on North Texas," said Leppert, who voted for Mavericks Shawn Marion and Dirk Nowitzki. "This is the easiest job I've had since being in office," he said of casting his ..."

Pace about to pick up for Dallas Mavericks

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November 10

Dallas Morning News

"The Mavericks have had it easy so far. Six games, 14 days? That's practically a vacation by NBA standards. It's about to change. Starting with Houston's visit to American Airlines Center on Tuesday, the Mavericks play five games in seven nights and nine in the next 16. Four of those nine starts are against Houston or San Antonio, bitter Southwest Division rivals. Based on last season, the Mavericks had better pay close attention to this stretch. Their record against divisional foes was 7-9, including what was supposed to be the Southwest's punching bag, Memphis. So is this the NBA's toughest division? "It's pretty brutal," Dirk Nowitzki said. "The Texas triangle has always been really, ..."

Defense makes the difference for Dallas

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November 9

Dallas Morning News

columnist Brandon George

"Perhaps it's hard to believe, but the Dallas Mavericks' new mantra is strong defense. For a team that once believed the fastest way to the win column was getting to 100 points, this season's Mavericks have talked defense from the beginning and backed it up on the court. Even on Saturday night, when the offense finally found a rhythm with swingman Josh Howard making his season debut, forward Shawn Marion attributed the Mavericks' season-high point total in a 129-101 win over Toronto to defense. "Everything starts with the defensive end. We're all playing defense, and you're seeing it now," Marion said. "The more we keep playing defense and getting stops, it's going to fuel our offense." ..."

24 seconds with Jason Kidd

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November 8

San Antonio Express-News

"Kidd re-signed with the Mavericks in July, a three-year deal for $25.3 million. At age 36, he remains one of basketball's best point guards. Recently, he answered some pointed questions for the Express-News. At this point in your career, how important is it to believe your team has a legitimate shot at winning it all? Everyone's goal is always to win a title, but realistically, there are a limited number that really can do it. All you (media) guys know that. Of course, but I contend the Spurs and Mavs weren't legit contenders last year but improved enough over the summer to get back in the mix, and I wonder if you agree."

When Dampier's at his best, so are Mavs

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November 8

Dallas Morning News

columnist Brandon George

"The Mavericks have seen a rejuvenated Erick Dampier through the team's first six games, and they're a better team for it. Dampier was active again Saturday night against Toronto on both ends of the court, finishing with five points and six rebounds in only 18 minutes. Over the last four seasons, Dampier's best scoring average was 7.1 points in 2006-07 and his best rebounding average was 7.8 in 2005-06. Through the Mavericks' first five games, he was averaging 9.6 points and a team-best 10.4 rebounds. "He doesn't get a lot of credit. He's been unbelievable," guard Jason Terry said. "This year, he's been doing a phenomenal job, and he's going to get everything coming to him that he ..."

Howard's return helps Dallas

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November 8

Dallas Morning News

"The Mavericks' inconsistent offense received a much-needed shot of energy Saturday night with the return of swingman Josh Howard. Howard made his season debut and helped spark a 129-101 rout over the Toronto Raptors at the American Airlines Center in the Mavericks' most complete game of the season. Howard missed the Mavericks' first five games while recovering from off-season left ankle surgery. He started and scored 16 points in 24 minutes, fitting right in at shooting guard and into a lineup that's still adjusting to the addition of six new players. "I was nervous as hell out there," Howard said. "But after I made my first couple of free throws, I was able to tough it out." The ..."

Mavericks searching for offensive consistency

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November 7

Dallas Morning News

"Forward Shawn Marion is in his first season with the Mavericks, but he's been in the NBA long enough to easily identify a troublesome trend. Marion, who has helped the Mavericks improve defensively, said the team's offense has been sporadic. The consistency isn't there yet for a team that has added six new players, three of whom have already started. "Everybody hasn't clicked on all cylinders yet," said Marion, the 10th-year pro. "It's like one game it's one person and the next game it's somebody else. It's not all five or all 13 just yet. We're ready for that to start popping. Once that starts popping, it's going to be great." Take the last two games for example. On Tuesday in a 96-85 ..."

Remember Dallas Mavericks fans ... the beat writer is always right

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November 6

Dallas Morning News

columnist Eddie Sefko

"You might remember a week ago when somebody in this space said not to panic and wait at least another week or two before getting concerned about the Mavericks after their season-opening loss. We're not in the "told you so" business here, but let's just say you should always trust the beat writer. The Mavericks have reversed field nicely and are doing exactly what they need to do to keep the Western Conference big dogs within a leash's length. That's in spite of the meltdown/choke they suffered Wednesday night in New Orleans. Who knows, a month or two from now, we might be talking about the Mavericks with a bite that's as nasty as their bark. A full week-plus into the season, there ..."

A stinger: Dallas Mavericks let Hornets escape in OT

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November 5

Dallas Morning News

"In the space of 24 hours, the Mavericks saw it all. Good, bad, ugly - and a bit of a gag reflex. After a spirited win in which everything went right in the fourth quarter, they looked like they were ready for an encore Wednesday night at New Orleans Arena. And then, everything that could go wrong did. And the Mavericks had nobody to blame but themselves. When Peja Stojakovic - 0-for-7 to that point - flipped in a tying 3-pointer with 6.7 seconds to play, the Mavericks knew they'd botched a game they should have won. They proceeded to get drilled in overtime, dropping a 114-107 decision to the Hornets, ending a three-game winning streak. Against Utah on Tuesday? Dirk Nowitzki had 40 ..."

Dirk fouls out in encore

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November 5

Dallas Morning News

"The NBA is the ultimate what-have- you-done lately league. A day after Dirk Nowitzki's outrageous fourth quarter against Utah, everybody was still talking about it. Good thing. That way they didn't have to talk about his 4-for-15 shooting and his six personal fouls Wednesday night against New Orleans. Or his streak of 20-point games ending at 29. He finished with just a dozen, or 17 fewer than he had Tuesday - in the fourth quarter. But although Nowitzki was frustrated by the New Orleans defense, it still couldn't erase that crazy, 29-point fourth quarter he had Tuesday. Lost amid everybody trying to find adequate words to describe that game was that one of Nowitzki's new wrinkles in ..."

Nowitzki's huge fourth quarter rallies Dallas past Utah

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November 4

Salt Lake Tribune

"If it wasn't Dirk Nowitzki behind the history-making performance, maybe the Jazz would have greeted the one-man Texas twister that hit them in the fourth quarter Tuesday night with something resembling shock and awe. Instead, the Jazz seemed simply resigned to their fate as Nowitzki tore through American Airlines Center with a 29-point fourth-quarter spectacular, single-handedly erasing a 16-point deficit and sending the Mavericks to a 96-85 victory. Nowitzki scored 14 consecutive points during one stretch midway through the quarter and finished with 40 for the game. He hit 7 of 8 shots from the field in the fourth, including a three-pointer, and went 14 of 14 at the foul line against the ..."

Nowitzki destroys Jazz with fourth-quarter scoring explosion

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November 4

The Deseret News

"After they blew one game Tuesday night, the Jazz started playing another. It was shoulda, coulda, woulda, and every time they took a turn, Dirk Nowitzki kept coming up the winner. The NBA's 2007 MVP scored a Jordanesque 40 points, including a franchise-record 29 in the fourth quarter as Dallas overcame a 16-point Jazz lead in the final period and beat Utah 96-85 at American Airlines Center. It was the fourth straight time in Dallas that Nowitzki's scored 30-plus-points against the now 1-3 Jazz, and the 12th time in 13 tries — including five straight — that Utah has lost here. "Just another game, same story," said Jazz point guard Deron Williams, whose 22 points were a team-high. Asked if ..."

D-Will hopes to be All-Star in Dallas

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November 4

The Deseret News

"He was here Tuesday night, scoring a team-high 22 points in the Jazz's loss to the Dallas Mavericks, and he'll be back for another regular-season game Jan. 9. But point guard Deron Williams really would love to be in the Dallas area Feb. 14, when the NBA holds its 2010 All-Star Game at the Dallas Cowboys' new stadium in nearby Arlington. "It would mean a lot," said Williams, who feels he belonged in the 2008 All-Star Game at New Orleans. "You know, I wish I would have had one by now," added Williams, who was Texas-raised and played high school ball locally at The Colony. "But it would be special to have the first one in Dallas. Hopefully, all my family can come see me play." Williams, ..."

Nowitzki leads Dallas Mavericks in fourth-quarter blitz to beat Utah

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November 4

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"On a drab, lifeless Tuesday night at American Airlines Center, everybody found out how quickly a dud can turn into a stud. It happened with Dirk Nowitzki. And it happened with a dull game that turned absolutely mesmerizing in the final minutes. The Mavericks looked completely dead for three quarters, and Nowitzki was searching for a pulse, too. Then the Mavericks flipped a switch and Nowitzki dominated the fourth quarter as the Mavs pulled off a 27-point fourth-quarter turnaround for a 96-85 victory over the Utah Jazz. Nowitzki had 29 points in the final quarter – including 23 of 25 at one point – smashing the franchise record for points in a quarter, formerly owned by Mark Aguirre, who ..."

Nowitzki leads Dallas Mavericks in fourth-quarter blitz to beat Utah

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November 4

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"On a drab, lifeless Tuesday night at American Airlines Center, everybody found out how quickly a dud can turn into a stud. It happened with Dirk Nowitzki. And it happened with a dull game that turned absolutely mesmerizing in the final minutes. The Mavericks looked completely dead for three quarters, and Nowitzki was searching for a pulse, too. Then the Mavericks flipped a switch and Nowitzki dominated the fourth quarter as the Mavs pulled off a 27-point fourth-quarter turnaround for a 96-85 victory over the Utah Jazz. Nowitzki had 29 points in the final quarter – including 23 of 25 at one point – smashing the franchise record for points in a quarter, formerly owned by Mark Aguirre, who ..."

Mavericks showed something by beating . . . the Clippers?

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November 4

Los Angeles Times

columnist Broderick Turner

"If you needed any proof that the Dallas Mavericks are going to be good this season, consider their impressive victory over the Lakers at Staples Center last Friday. And then instead of a letdown, the Mavericks went out the very next night and defeated the Clippers. Sure, it's the Clippers, but the Mavericks could have been satisfied after the big win over the Lakers. "I like the team, but it's on paper," Dallas Coach Rick Carlisle said. "It's a long haul and I do like the team and we're going to keep working at it." The addition of Shawn Marion and Drew Gooden gives the Mavericks more depth to help Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd and Jason Terry. When Dallas gets Josh Howard and Tim Thomas back ..."

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