Hello lottery

- No Dirk, no go-to scoring option, no crutch for his very average teammates anymore. These next 12 games could be horrific. Hello lottery.

Where they go from here, and possible lineups.....

Dallas Mavericks weigh their options without Dirk

Without Dirk, lineup will have a different look - but which one?


03:47 AM CDT on Tuesday, March 25, 2008
By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News
esefko@dallasnews.com

Dirk Nowitzki has missed one game this season, and it was a forgettable one for the Dallas Mavericks.

They were hammered by Houston when Nowitzki was benched by an NBA suspension on March 6.

Now the Mavericks are staring a lot more than just one game without their best player. The schedule, despite two games upcoming against the Los Angeles Clippers – including tonight's – is demanding. Five of the next seven games are on the road against playoff contenders.

So what do the Mavericks do without Dirk?

"We've just got to play hard as hell – every day, every game," forward Brandon Bass said. "It's got to be a team thing. No individual is going to replace him."

Bass is one of the options coach Avery Johnson has. Bass could replace Nowitzki at power forward in the starting lineup. Malik Allen also is an option.

The Mavericks could go small, with Josh Howard sliding over to power forward and Devean George, Eddie Jones or even Jason Terry filling out the starting lineup.

Jason Kidd now becomes even more of a focal point for the Mavericks than he has been since he was acquired in a Feb. 19 trade. The Mavericks are 9-8 since, and they still haven't beaten a winning team since Kidd's arrival.

"Without Dirk, we're going to have to make the extra pass and do the little things –box out, not foul as much, don't put teams in the bonus," Kidd said.

"The beauty of this is nobody's really talking about us. We have to put up wins without him."

Offensive offense: The Mavericks know where their biggest problem is. They just aren't exactly sure how to fix it.

"We've got to score," Kidd said. "And we've got to get more shots up. If you were to ask anybody if we were going to hold Boston and San Antonio to under 35 percent [shooting], we'd have a pretty good chance to win that game."

Johnson said the Mavericks don't want to change a thing about their defense. If there's any concern about players pressing to make up for Nowitzki's absence, it shouldn't have any impact on the defensive end.

Tough session: Johnson said the first practice without Nowitzki was one of the best workouts the team has had of late in at least one respect.

"This was probably one of our most physical practices in the last two to three weeks," he said.


NOW WHAT?
Some possible rotations for the Mavericks during Dirk Nowitzki's absence:


Go strong
New starter: Brandon Bass

What it does: Gives the Mavericks a more traditional power forward who spends most of his time in the paint and can make 15-foot jumpers


Go long
New starter: Malik Allen

What it does: Gives them a big man who can make longer shots, stretching opposing defenses and creating gaps for Josh Howard and Jason Terry


Go small
New starter: Devean George, Eddie Jones or Antoine Wright

What it does: Makes them better defensively, assuming George or Josh Howard can guard opposing power forwards


Go really small
New starter: Jason Terry

What it does: Gives the offense its best chance to start percolating again, as Terry and Jerry Stackhouse spread the defense better than any other healthy combination they have.




- The optimist's view.....



Losing Nowitzki can be good for Dallas Mavericks

07:42 PM CDT on Monday, March 24, 2008

Give Avery Johnson this much: He may not coax the best out of his point guards, but he sure slings a mean metaphor.

Just when Dirk Nowitzki's injury provided the rest of the Mavs an excuse to fold, Johnson magnified their dilemma.

"There's no Dirk coming out of a phone booth or anything," Johnson said. "They've got to stop looking."

Moral: If the Dirkless Mavs are going to salvage this season, they're going to have to save themselves.

And that's why Nowitzki's absence really is a good thing. Bear with me on this.

The Mavs can go one of two ways: They can close ranks and hold off Golden State and Denver, proving their mettle and getting a much-needed jolt when Nowitzki returns going into the postseason.

Or the Mavs can continue to flop-flop-flop along on a flat tire as they have since the Jason Kidd deal, a ride that should only get bumpier without Nowitzki, and slide off the road into the lottery.

Frankly, I'm not sure which is better. Tells you all you need to know about this season, doesn't it?

Consider the first possibility: No matter how much you hated the Kidd trade, he's certainly drawn the best from Nowitzki and Erick Dampier, of all people.

Nowitzki hasn't played this well since he earned all those MVP votes. He wanted a change at point guard, and he got it. Kidd's presence, particularly when he's pushing the ball, makes Nowitzki's life easier.

Question: So if Nowitzki's playing so well with Kidd, what's wrong?

Answer: It isn't the defense, despite warnings by the trade's critics.

If you think it's Kidd's shooting that's killing the Mavs, let me tell you a story.

A Mavs assistant confided after the trade that Kidd's indelicate shooting touch would keep him from succeeding.

Of course, that was the trade that sent Kidd from Dallas to Phoenix a dozen years ago. Kidd has dragged his woebegone shot through a Hall-of-Fame career.

And the assistant with the scouting report? He's been out of the league for years.

If it's any consolation, Kidd has been working on his shooting. A few media members with attention-deficit issues were distracted Monday from Nowitzki's impromptu news conference by the sight of Kidd putting up jumpers.

A few of us even counted.

"How many is that?" someone would whisper.

"Four."

Clang.

"Zero."

Bottom line: Kidd will never be a good shooter, but he can be better than he's been lately. He simply must keep shooting. And not worry that Johnson will pull him after the next brick.

Johnson could also help by letting Kidd post up smaller point guards. The concept worked for Kidd in the past, and it's time for Johnson to put it in the playbook.

Time for everyone to step up, actually. Houston did it when Yao Ming went down with an injury.

Sure, the Rockets had already won 12 in a row, and their bench is both younger and livelier than the Mavs'. But Yao's loss still could have been devastating. The Rockets simply wouldn't allow it.

"Adversity, sometimes, you can see somebody's true colors," Kidd said.

"This is just beginning. It should be fun."

Better than if he'd said, "terrifying."

Josh Howard must step in for Nowitzki like Tracy McGrady did for Yao. Brandon Bass must live up to the potential he's shown this season. Jason Terry has to come up big.

Avery Johnson? He has to find a way to make Kidd comfortable. If the former point guard can't, the Mavs won't make the playoffs.

You could argue that it won't make any difference if they do, given how poorly they've played lately. I'd counter that you never know what might happen in the playoffs, especially with the West so tight.

But for argument's sake, let's go with your pessimism. If the Mavs don't make the playoffs, the first-rounder that went to New Jersey with Devin Harris stays home instead.

Now, the Mavs in the lottery doesn't mean Michael Beasley's coming to Dallas. But an interesting point guard – Derrick Rose, O.J. Mayo, D.J. Augustin, Tywon Lawson, maybe Darren Collison – could be available. One of them could spend a year as an understudy to Kidd and perhaps provide a long-term answer.

Of course, that assumes Johnson would like any point guard, but that's a diatribe for another day.



- More lineup shuffling in response to a 1-7 stretch. At this point, any change is welcomed, since the current mix isn't working. They better find some sort of cohesiveness by April 9th when they open up the playoffs on the road.



Modano, Dallas Stars realign again

Modano is recast as the shooter on a new line with Richards, Barnes

01:26 AM CDT on Tuesday, March 25, 2008
By MIKE HEIKA / The Dallas Morning News
mheika@dallasnews.com

FRISCO – Get the Dallas Stars rewrite.

At a time when their story has taken a turn for the worse, a new script was being penned Monday on the practice ice.

Mike Modano was moved to the left wing on a line with Brad Richards and Stu Barnes. Jere Lehtinen returned to the top line with Mike Ribeiro and Brenden Morrow. Steve Ott was given the chore of leading the checking line with Joel Lundqvist and Loui Eriksson. And a new third line of Niklas Hagman-Toby Petersen-B.J. Crombeen emerged with not only energy and grit, but maybe the possibility of scoring a goal or two.

"When things aren't working, you have to expect change," Modano said.

In many ways, the line juggling represents a significant change in mindset for the Stars. Then again, that change might be needed. The Stars are in a 1-7-0 slump and about to depart on a four-game road trip that could determine whether or not they make the playoffs.

Many thought before the trade deadline that co-general managers Brett Hull and Les Jackson would get a scoring partner for Modano. In fact, Hull said that was exactly what he was looking for. However, the Stars ended up getting Richards, a playmaker, and have since been trying to make that move fit on the ice.

While Richards played right wing with Modano at center a few games back in what Tippett determined was a disappointing fit, the switch should have Modano as the shooter, Richards as the playmaker and Stu Barnes as the puck hunter on a second scoring line.

"That's fine with me, I'll look to shoot," Modano said. "Brad is a great passer and Stu is smart and does great things with the puck."

The move should allow Modano and Richards the opportunity to find answers together – and possibly take some pressure off the top line.

"The bottom line is, we need some production out of Richards and Modano," Tippett said.

Richards said he is frustrated by the Stars' 2-7-0 record with him in the lineup, but said he also is bolstered by the fact he is becoming part of the team during four weeks' worth of practices.

"I'm going to be better, and I'm going to feel more comfortable. I believe that," he said. "I don't want to look for people to do things for me. I need to hold onto the puck and help create things for myself and my linemates. That's what I do, and that's the best way to get into the game for me."




- I trust 2 people with hockey knowledge in Dallas. Razor and Mike Heika. So I must stay on board with this shuffling. He makes great points here.



Maybe Dave Tippett really does read this blog.

Or maybe you guys are just smart.

The lines today at practice were:

Morrow-Ribeiro-Lehtinen
Modano-Richards-Barnes
Lundqvist-Ott-Eriksson
Hagman-Petersen-Crombeen

Apparent scratches were: Miettinen, Winchester, Barch.

Tippett said he was just looking at a few things _ and he does have two more days of practice before he has to decide on the lines against San Jose. But quite honestly, these lines make sense (just as you guys have explained). Modano wants to play on a scoring line, so try him at a wing. Richards has been holding onto the puck more, so maybe he is getting more comfortable and could create scoring chances for Modano.

Lehtinen has been great on the top line, Barnes brings energy to the second line, Ott, Lundqvist and Eriksson each are playing well and could form a solid checking line, and the fourth line actually seems to make sense with some speed, some grit and some ability to still score a goal or two.

Zubov did not practice with the team. Boucher did and looked good. Still, Tippett said he didn't expect either to play Thursday against the Sharks. Both are close, but the Stars need to be careful and keep the long-range health of both in mind.

Big night to watch the Northwest Division. There is a chance the Stars could wake up Tuesday in sixth place (if Minnesota and Calgary both win). That said, the Stars should probably cheer for a Flames win, as it pushes Colorado further down and allows the Stars a better chance to make the playoffs or at least not finish in eighth place (and probably face the Red Wings in the first round).




- Thankfully, the Rangers look like they're going to hold on to Marlon Byrd. Good clubhouse guys and leaders are severely underrated in baseball, and he's the best one they have.



Trade of Texas Rangers' Byrd looking more unlikely

Discussions with Cubs have seen both sides unwilling to budge


02:30 AM CDT on Tuesday, March 25, 2008
By EVAN GRANT / The Dallas Morning News
egrant@dallasnews.com

MESA, Ariz. – Texas Rangers outfielder and trade target Marlon Byrd and Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry exchanged pleasantries on the field at HoHoKam Park Monday morning.

It may end up being the only thing the Rangers and Cubs exchange this spring.

With less than a week remaining until the season begins, on-and-off trade talks that started two months ago appear to be going nowhere. Hendry remains insistent that he won't give up a top pitching prospect in addition to outfielder Matt Murton for Byrd. The Rangers remain insistent that they won't deal Byrd without one of those prospects.

Normally, that would be that, and the teams would move on. But, a club source indicated that the Cubs have recently re-engaged the Rangers because Hendry hasn't been able to land the extra outfielder he has been seeking.

"I made the decision to wait until spring training to get an outfielder who could play all three positions," Hendry said. "Now, it's time for me to get something done. I'd feel better about my contributions to the club if I could get something done this spring."

The Cubs may instead turn to recently released Reed Johnson.

General manager Jon Daniels, tending to a family obligation, was not with the club Monday, but he has declined to comment on the talks with the Cubs since spring training began. In January, Daniels told Byrd he was not looking to deal him but would if he got a desirable package from the Cubs.

The Rangers have held firm on wanting one of the Cubs' top three pitching prospects, either Jose Ceda, Sean Gallagher or Donald Veal in addition to Murton.

Byrd and Murton, who was in Chicago's lineup Monday, started both meetings between the Rangers and Cubs this spring. Byrd played center the first time and right on Monday, displaying his versatility.

Byrd said he's heard nothing but rumors since his conversation with Daniels in January.

"I'll feel a lot better when someone comes up and says it's a done deal, one way or the other," Byrd said. "But I think I'll feel this way right up until opening day."




- Nebraska Spring practice notes......



NU Football Notes: Glenn a 'full go' after good winter, Pelini says

BY RICH KAIPUST AND MITCH SHERMAN
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

LINCOLN — Nebraska coach Bo Pelini delivered the first good news on I-back Cody Glenn in quite some time.

"He's full go, as far as I know," Pelini said Monday. "He had a good winter. He's doing well."

Glenn injured a foot late in the 2006 season and has never been the same since. After missing the final three games of that sophomore year, he saw his junior season all but wasted as he played in just five games with 27 carries.

"I really like Cody because he's the kind of guy who will do anything to help the football team," Pelini said. "He's really a team guy, has the right attitude, and I think he's going to be a good football player for us."

I-back Kenny Wilson also has the chance to do some limited work as spring practice starts Wednesday and runs through the Red-White game on April 19. Wilson has been sidelined by a broken leg since last winter.

"He's coming along," Pelini said. "You just don't want to put him out there and have him get set back."

Strength coach getting results

Winter conditioning looks to have worked wonders for a few Huskers. Defensive end Zach Potter and guard Matt Slauson on Monday appeared in noticeably better shape than last season.

Quarterback Joe Ganz talked of the intense workouts and running sessions directed by new strength coach James Dobson.

Pelini said the Huskers emerged well from nearly two months of work.

"I think we're a more athletic team now," the coach said. "I think they're in better shape. I think it went very well. I'm really happy with that aspect of it."

Just as important, he said, the Huskers are buying into the teachings of Dobson. His plan differs from the offseason regimen in previous years.

Potter said the Huskers prefer this system, which stresses efficiency in the weight room.

"I joked with my dad that I actually feel an ab (muscle)," Potter said. "I can't see it, but I can feel it."

Dobson, formerly an assistant strength coach at Iowa, is the first member of Pelini's staff to work with the NU players in a physical setting.

"They see themselves getting better, developing the athleticism and the flexibility necessary, along with the strength," Pelini said. "Our job is to take these guys and develop them, make them better — not just better football players but better athletes."

Only loss Slauson foresees is pounds

Slauson looked noticeably slimmer Monday. The senior has dropped to 328 pounds after finishing last season in the 345 to 350 range.

Slauson even wants to shed another 10 to 15 pounds.

"It's my last year, and I have to put on the best show I can because I can get a ring," he said. "We have to win the Big 12 championship. It's going to happen. And we're going to go to a BCS game. It's going to happen. And I have to make sure that I tie up all the ends on my side."

Christensen still suspended

Slauson said he's not been in contact with suspended teammate Andy Christensen since the offensive lineman was arrested March 8 on suspicion of first-degree sexual assault.

But some other Huskers have stayed in touch, Slauson said.

"We all like Andy a lot," Slauson said. "It's a real unfortunate deal. It'll be interesting to see how the rest of that goes."

Christensen, a senior from Bennington, is free on bond and has not gone to trial. Pelini said Monday that Christensen remains indefinitely suspended.

Players barred from some bars

As a result of Christensen's arrest and other alcohol-related problems this year, Pelini has declared off-limits several downtown bars to the Huskers for the rest of this semester, according to Ganz.

Ganz said it's a "small sacrifice" for the Huskers to make for the betterment of their team. The quarterback said he's confident his teammates will adhere to the rules.

"We're grown men," the quarterback said. "We understand what we have to do."

The players 21 and older are not restricted entirely from drinking, Ganz said.

Pelini promises no 'playing tag'

Slauson liked hearing Pelini say the Huskers could be in for a physical round of spring practices. He already was looking forward to tangling with defensive tackle Ty Steinkuhler in drills.

"It's going to be fun," Slauson said. "If I could strap it on today, I would."

Pelini hasn't gone into much detail about planned scrimmages or scrimmage time. But he reiterated that NU must become a more physical football team.

"We're not going to be out there playing tag, I promise you that," Pelini said, chuckling at his own comment.


Huskers eager to start spring practices

BY BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star
Monday, Mar 24, 2008 - 04:31:56 pm CDT

Spring football practice at Nebraska begins in two days. That’s 124 days too late, as far as senior offensive lineman Matt Slauson is concerned.

“I’ve been ready since Nov. 23,” Slauson said, referring to the date of Nebraska’s last game.

“I mean, everyone’s so stoked, especially me, coming off a really disappointing year, and this being my last year. I want to get a ring so bad.”

Slauson was among five players who spoke at Monday’s news conference at Memorial Stadium. Words like confidence, intensity and excitement were fairly abundant.

Much of that has to do with the anticipation of a fresh start under first-year coach Bo Pelini.

“It’s his drive to win,” safety Larry Asante said. “I love Coach, and I think he’s after our best interests. He wants to win, first and foremost, and I want to win. Whatever we’ve got to in order to win, I’m down for it, and I’m going to do it.”

Wednesday is the first of 15 spring practices, culminating with the annual Red-White Spring Game on April 19. More than 47,000 tickets have been sold.

Pelini promised physical practices.

“We’re not going to be out there playing tag,” Pelini said. “I’ll promise you that.”

Said Slauson: “It’s going to be straight up hitting, and it’s going to be fun. The big guys in the trenches usually like that.”

Senior defensive end Zach Potter said players aren’t using last year’s 5-7 record as motivation for this season. Rather, 2007 is forgotten.

“I think if you look at all the numbers and the record, it’s going to put you down,” Potter said. “We need to keep the confidence up, and if we look back at the numbers and stuff from last year, it’s just going to hurt us.”

Pelini said only two players — Ndamukong Suh and Anthony Blue — will be held out of spring practices because of injury. Running back Kenny Wilson, who missed last season with a broken leg, will be limited at the start of spring drills.

“He’s coming along,” Pelini said. “He has good days and bad. He worked his butt off, and he went through everything in the winter.”

Pelini also said senior running back Cody Glenn, who’s been bothered by foot problems, is “full go” heading into spring.

“He had a good winter. He’s doing well,” Pelini said. “I really like Cody because he’s the kind of guy that will do anything to help the football team.”

Pelini said it’s too early to talk about possible position changes, but said there will likely be some as spring ball progresses.

“We never make anybody move,” Pelini said. “You make somebody move to another position, and their heart isn’t in it, then it’s not good for anybody on the team. It has to be their decision.”

Have any players approached Pelini about wanting a position change?

“No, but I’ve joked around with a couple of guys, and they said they’re open to it.”