Dallas Mavericks Blog – Page 46 – NBA Blog

Dirk Nowitzki, still an NBA star

Here’s the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki, who is still a force in basketball:

The greatness that is Dirk Nowitzki struck again Monday night at the Toyota Center.

Nowitzki poured in a game-high 31 points and converted 11-of-18 shots while leading the Dallas Mavericks to a 111-104 victory over the Houston Rockets. Afterward, leave it to forward Vince Carter to explain why Nowitzki will go down in history as one of the greatest to ever play in the NBA.

“He’s very confident and he understands who he is and how he can dominate the game,” Carter said. “And that’s a dangerous player to me is a guy who knows, ‘Hey, I might not take you off the dribble, but at the same time, I’m going to score all day.’

“He has you at his mercy, and I think he also does a great job of just letting [the game] come to him.”

Rick Carlisle encouraging Shawn Marion to shoot three-pointers

Here’s the Dallas Morning News blog on Mavs veteran Shawn Marion:

Entering Wednesday’s home game against Memphis, Mavericks foward Shawn Marion has attempted 62 three-pointers this season and made 21, a .339 percentage.

Following Wednesday morning’s shootaround at American Airlines Center, Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle and Marion were the last people on the floor, with Marion practicing 3s and Carlisle shagging rebounds.

Why the sudden emphasis with Marion shooting treys? He attempted 73 all of last season. During Dallas’ championship season of 2010-2011, Marion attempted 33 threes and made five.

“He (Carlisle) told me to,” Marion said Wednesday, when asked why he’s shooting more threes.

“I just believe in him,” Carlisle said. “I believe he can do it. I see the stretches in his career where he’s shot it well. I understand that a coach’s belief in a player goes a long way toward the player believing in himself.”

Brandan Wright back soon for Mavericks

Here’s the Fort Worth Star-Telegram blog on the 13-10 Dallas Mavericks, who are set to enjoy some added depth:

Brandan Wright said he likely will see his first action of the season Saturday night when the Dallas Mavericks host the Milwaukee Bucks at 7:30 at American Airlines Center.

The Mavs’ center played in the preseason opener against New Orleans, then suffered a small non-displaced fracture of his left shoulder during an Oct. 8 practice session. Since then, Wright has gone through a litany of treatment sessions in an effort to get his shoulder back up to speed.

“If everything goes well tomorrow I should be able to go (Saturday),” Wright said after today’s practice. “I feel alright.

Dallas Mavericks assign Ricky Ledo to D-League

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have assigned Ricky Ledo to the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League.

Ledo (6-7, 200) has seen action in six games for the Mavericks and holds averages of 1.2 points and 2.6 minutes per game.

Ledo will join the Legends and be available for tonight’s game when they take on the Tulsa 66ers at 7:00 pm CT at the Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco.

Mavs are leading the NBA in steals

The new NBA season is still young, but here’s the Fort Worth Star-Telegram blog with a positive note on the 2013-14 Dallas Mavericks:

A mere 10 games into the season and the Dallas Mavericks are surprisingly leading the NBA in steals with 10.2 per game.

That’s a monumental accomplishment for a team that’s never finished higher than fourth in steals in its entire 34-year history.

Asked what he attributes his team’s steals’ total to, coach Rick Carlisle said: “A lot of gambling, probably. Steals can be a great thing and it also can at times mess you up if you swing and miss a lot.

“But we’ve got some guys with pretty good anticipation and quickness in (Monta) Ellis, and (DeJuan) Blair’s gotten quite a few steals. As long as we’re within our system when we”re going to for them, I’m OK — as long as we’re in a position of strength — and generally we’ve been OK with that.”

Mario Chalmers suspended for striking Dirk Nowitzki

Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers has been suspended for one game without pay for throwing a forearm and making contact with the head of Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

The incident, for which Chalmers was assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 and ejected, occurred with 5:01 remaining in the fourth quarter of Miami’s 110-104 win over Dallas on Friday, Nov. 15, at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Chalmers will serve his suspension tonight when the Heat visit the Charlotte Bobcats.

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Rick Carlisle discusses how hard it is to repeat as NBA champs

Here’s the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:

Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said that a litany of things could go wrong that can prevent a team from repeating. That list includes injuries, trades, players becoming selfish and management not willing to sign critical free agents.

“It’s just that when you’re the defending champs people are gunning for you,” Carlisle said. “And then you have to fight the letdown of being the champions.

“It’s a lot of the human nature stuff that are inherent in sports, but that’s what makes the world go round.”

In addition to missing out on a successful repeat as a coach with the Mavs, Carlisle also missed a chance with the Boston Celtics. In 1986 Carlisle was with the Celtics when they beat the Rockets in six games to win the championship, but then lost in the ’87 Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.

DeJuan Blair playing well for Mavericks

Here’s the Fort Worth Star-Telegram blog on the fine addition rugged frontcourt man DeJuan Blair has been to Dallas:

DeJuan Blair calls this his new lease on life.

Saddled at the end of the San Antonio Spurs’ bench last season, Blair has been a key contributor for Dallas after signing a one-year, $884,293 free agent contract with the Mavericks in August. The five-year veteran backup center is averaging 8.7 points and 7.4 rebounds, and is fifth in the NBA in steals with 2.43 per game.

In describing his displeasure at being mired in Spurs coach Gregg Popovich’s doghouse to where he is now, Blair said it’s like going from the outhouse to the penthouse.

“Another man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” Blair said after Tuesday’s shoot around at American Airlines Center.

Vince Carter suspended for elbowing Steven Adams

Dallas Mavericks guard-forward Vince Carter has been suspended one game without pay for throwing an elbow and making contact with the head of Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

The incident, for which Carter was assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 and ejected, occurred with 4:01 remaining in the third quarter of Dallas’ 107-93 loss to the Thunder on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Carter will serve his suspension tonight when the Mavericks visit the Minnesota Timberwolves.

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General Manager Gersson Rosas leaves Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks announced today that Gersson Rosas has resigned as the General Manager.

“I made the personal decision to resign as General Manager of the Dallas Mavericks after determining that the position was not the best fit for me at this point in my career,” said Rosas. “The decision was made solely by me, as I firmly believe this change is in my best interest.”

“Mark Cuban asked me to reconsider my decision, but graciously accepted my decision and we part as friends, Rosas continued. “I would like to thank Mark and the Dallas Mavericks for the opportunity.”

“I was disappointed when Gersson told me of his decision, but I understand and all of us wish him the best,” Cuban said.

Rosas was hired as the team’s General Manager on Aug. 1, 2013.