Pitiful

- The worst 1st half performance of the year. The starters gave them nothing. No engery, no flow on offense, no defense. Kidd plays his worst game since the trade. And then they mount a furious comeback in the 2nd half, led mostly by Dirk and bench players.

- What was Josh Howard's plus/minus last night? Just curious, because he was absent during the comeback.

- Dirk's back is about to give out from carrying this piece of crap team. He has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING around him. Without him, this team is not even close to the top 10 in the West. There is only one #2 scorer on this team, Jason Terry, and he's being sorely misused right now. Put Stackhouse back on the bench and give me 25 minutes max from him. Put Howard back in his place, that #3 guy on the floor who does dirty work and doesn't have plays run for him.

- All in all, the bench players outplayed the starters. The starters didn't even look like they cared half the time. When Dallas was down 25, I couldn't believe the body language on the team, it was like they're were still playing Miami, absolutely no sense of urgency. It was like a picnic out there, no one but Dirk yelling and showing emotion. The only urgency came when JET, Malik Allen, and Tyron Lue came into the game.

- Year 4 of Avery, year 4 of no title. This team is on its way out with Avery. When you have a guy who yells out plays on offense AND defense every time down the floor, for 82 games, for 4 years........there's no way these guys listen to him anymore. He's too overbearing. He can't let it go. Watch Phil Jackson, he picks his spots. He'll be sitting on the bench most of the time, calls plays every once in a while. But then in crunch time, he will get up and do some intense coaching. He knows if he yells nonstop, calls plays all game, the message won't be as clear and concise come crunch time.

- A lot in basketball is instinct and basic. Avery doesn't let things flow organically. These aren't college players, they don't need plays every time down the floor. Let them play.

- Dirk almost single handedly saved the game. He did all he could. We now officially have a front row seat to a superstar wasting his prime due to the ineptitude of his surrounding teammates. It's sad to watch.

- Vladimir Radmonavich. Friggin Vladimir Radmonavich. They get within 5 and the guy pulls a Steve Kerr and just starts launching 3's. The first one was from about 26 feet. And then the next 2 were just blind heaves that landed. Unbelievable.

- There's nothing scarier than a 3 point shooting foreigner. They have no fear of the coach or superstar. The language barrier prevents them to be scared of guys like Kobe, who you know was shaking his head as he was heaving those shots. But what does Vlad care? He has no interest in keeping it real with Kobe.

- This team is done. Howard sucks. Stackhouse sucks. They all suck.

Two little, too late for Dallas Mavericks in 102-100 loss

Furious rally falls short vs. Lakers

09:17 AM CDT on Wednesday, March 19, 2008
By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News
esefko@dallasnews.com

To be taken seriously in the NBA, one of the rules is you have to beat the occasional contender.

Right now, the only thing serious about the Mavericks is their condition, which is in danger of being downgraded to critical.

They were on their way toward perhaps the ugliest night in American Airlines Center history. That they saved face in the second half was fine. But they couldn't save a game that truthfully was lost before halftime.

The Mavericks fell behind by 25 points, made a spirited rally, then couldn't close the deal, dropping a 102-100 decision to the Lakers on Tuesday evening in front of a sellout crowd that booed loud and long, but was poised for unbridled passion during the comeback.

They left unfulfilled.

Dirk Nowitzki had a chance to tie or win in the final four seconds. After Derek Fisher hit the second of two free throws for a two-point LA lead, the Mavericks got the ball to Nowitzki, who had a huge night with 35 points and 11 rebounds.

But Josh Howard's poor pass went near Nowitzki's ankles, and the forward had to gather himself and fire an off-balance 3-pointer that missed badly at the buzzer.

With that, the Mavs' five-game winning streak against flimsy competition ended. They haven't beaten a team over .500 since the All-Star break (0-6). They have only one such win (over Portland at AAC) since Feb. 4 at Orlando.

No wonder they were booed off the court after a 9-0 LA finish to the first half that put the Lakers ahead, 59-38.

"The fans were booing a little there in the first half," Nowitzki said. "It wasn't pretty there.

"When we showed some energy and some heart, they came alive and pushed us."

By then, it was too late. The Mavericks missed a chance to make any sort of statement against one of the teams ahead of them in the compact Western Conference playoff picture.

"It's not the time now to hang our heads," Nowitzki said. "You got to keep fighting and keep swinging."

Dallas did neither for 2 ½ quarters against the Lakers. Not surprisingly, Kobe Bryant put his unmistakable stamp on the game.

In an epic move, Bryant finished a third-quarter fast break with a whirling, over-the-shoulder shot that somehow found the basket and put the Mavs in a 76-51 hole.

By then, the Mavericks didn't look like the team that couldn't wait to get one of the West's big boys in their crosshairs. When they finally did, not only could they not pull the trigger, they couldn't even find their gun.

"They played early like their basketball lives depended on it," coach Avery Johnson said of the Lakers. "And we didn't. We played like we were in apologetic mode, like we shouldn't even be here."

The comeback was highlighted with a pair of Nowitzki 3-pointers, the second of which came with 41.3 seconds left and cut LA's lead to 98-97. Dallas had trailed by seven with 70 seconds to go.

When Sasha Vujacic missed a jumper, the Mavericks got the rebound with 29.8 seconds to go, but Jerry Stackhouse was called for a loose-ball foul.

Lamar Odom, who had 17 points and 17 rebounds, hit both free throws for a three-point lead.

The Mavericks worked the ball around the perimeter with Kidd launching an off-balance 3-point attempt that missed badly. Vujacic hit one free throw with 14.1 seconds left, but Terry's outrageous trey with 4.9 to go set up Nowitzki's late chance.

"It was a triple-pick for him," Johnson said. "We didn't get him open enough, and he couldn't get the ball cleanly."


KIDD EFFECT
The Mavericks with Jason Kidd:

• 0-6 record vs. winning teams

• 6.8 points avg. margin of loss

• 9-0 record vs. losing teams

• 18.4 points avg. margin of victory


- This team sucks. Blow it up. This summer, it's time. Marc Stein.



Mavericks now 0-6 against winning teams since Kidd's return

By Marc Stein
ESPN.com

DALLAS -- This is not American football. So don't even go there.

The Mavericks can't blame this one on the city's so-called Jessica Simpson Jinx.

Simpson was indeed spotted in a baseline seat at American Airlines Center on Tuesday night, which undoubtedly would have spawned a wave of local panic had the venue been Texas Stadium.

But in the basketball arena? Rest assured that this Dallas sporting institution preserved its perfectly blemished record against winning teams since bringing back Jason Kidd -- which is now 0-6 -- without any help or interference from the courtside presence of Simpson and boyfriend Tony Romo.

The Mavs did a lot of damage to themselves against the wounded Lakers. Combine that with all of the first-half and crunch-time problems caused by the edgy, aggressive visitors and the result was a wild, frustrating 102-100 defeat for Dallas.

"My confidence is not shaken," Mavs coach Avery Johnson insisted after watching his team fall behind by 25 points to an L.A. team playing without Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum and then fall just short with its second-half rally.

"I think, more than anything, it showed what we could do when we play the right way," Johnson continued.

If that's what happens from here for the Mavs, they'll eventually forget that they came out and played so flatly and meekly for a half in their first big game at full strength since March 3 in Salt Lake City. If they can somehow rebound Thursday with a victory over mighty Boston, there will be less of an urge to torture themselves with the details of what so nearly became a historic comeback.

For now, though, it's strictly Torture Time.

Only the Mavs can tell you why they looked so unprepared to take advantage of the Lakers' high-profile and long-limbed absentees after five double-digit victories over the dregs of the East.

Only the Mavs can tell you how doubly deflating it is to fall behind, 76-51, with 5:44 to go in the third quarter on Kobe Bryant's over-the-head, off-the-glass, can't-do-it-justice-without-the-aid-of-TV layup . . . and still have a shot to tie it or win it on the game's final possession.

Only the Mavs can describe the despair of seeing Josh Howard throw the final inbounds pass too low, causing Dirk Nowitzki to fumble the ball before drawing no rim on his 3-point heave at the buzzer, wasting what might have been the best fourth-quarter defense on Bryant that the Mavs can expect to play.

The Mavs forced the ball out of Bryant's hands frequently in the final period by sending over a second defender to harass him. With some decent one-on-one coverage in spots by Devean George and Kidd and with no Gasol or Bynum to draw attention inside and open up the perimeter, Bryant managed only five of his 29 points in the final period.

Yet Dallas couldn't capitalize. The Mavs got back into the game with a 23-3 run that was sparked by A) Bryant getting hit with two fouls in the third quarter to force him to the bench and B) Tyronn Lue running the offense in Kidd's place, but they couldn't overcome the no-show in the first two quarters that Johnson described as his team's "apologetic mode."

"Like we shouldn't even be here," Johnson said.

It's true. For two quarters, Simpson and Romo saw a surrender. Not even the hosts' playmaking savior could generate any offense; Kidd had one point, two assists and two rebounds at halftime. It got so bad that Nowitzki -- who was actually vintage Dirk for most of the evening with 35 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks -- and the Mavs were subjected to MVP chants for Bryant from a loud pocket of Laker fans.

The Mavs fumed in the final minute -- owner Mark Cuban especially -- when Jerry Stackhouse was called for an over-the-back foul that sent Lamar Odom (17 points, 17 rebounds) to the line, only for the 67-percenter to drain both free throws. Yet this was probably not the night to quibble over calls, since Dallas didn't really start its comeback until Bryant left the floor with foul trouble . . . and since Dallas did go to the line 18 times in the third quarter.

There were more problems. Dallas couldn't stop Vladimir Radmanovic from hitting three huge 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. The Mavs watched helplessly as Sasha Vujacic tossed in a clutch jumper of his own near the end, which had Vujacic -- yes, Vujacic -- following up with a Dikembe Mutombo-style finger wag. Worst of all, Dallas had to concede that it played its best ball on this night with Kidd off the floor, after its only previous loss to a playoff-bound team since Kidd's return to Big D came when Nowitzki was suspended for the March 6 game against Houston.

"We won five games in a row and didn't move up a spot [in the conference standings]," Nowitzki said. "That's the way it is out here in the West right now."

But Nowitzki stressed that Kidd shouldn't get the blame, either, even if things aren't quite as all-new for the Mavs as they were when they lost in overtime to the Lakers in L.A. on March 2.

"To play with Jase is a blast," Nowitzki said. "But I don't think everything is totally natural to him yet."




- Big game tonight with Dallas sitting 1 point behind Anaheim. Locking up #2 in the Pacific is an absolute must right now.



Stakes high for Dallas Stars, Anaheim Ducks

Battle should be fierce between Pacific rivals in possible playoff preview

10:00 PM CDT on Tuesday, March 18, 2008
By MIKE HEIKA / The Dallas Morning News
mheika@dallasnews.com

FRISCO – The great thing about tonight's battle between the Stars and the Anaheim Ducks is that it is a playoff primer in many ways.

One, the teams should be fighting at their most intense as they jockey for playoff positioning and potential home ice in the first round of the postseason. Anaheim (90 points) and Dallas (89) sit fourth and fifth, respectively, in the West. If the Ducks and Stars finish the regular season in those spots, they would meet in a first-round series with the Ducks enjoying home-ice advantage.

Two, the Stars have had a 5-1-0 run against the Ducks this season. That should create some bad blood between the teams.

And three, linemates Brenden Morrow and Mike Ribeiro are going to get to see just what it's like to face an inspired Ducks team bent on shutting them down.

Ribeiro and Morrow have combined for 15 points in six games against Anaheim, and their line is plus-6. They have scored on the power play and at even strength, and they have sent a clear message to the Ducks that they are a top line in the NHL.

"It's definitely going to get tougher because you are going to draw attention," Morrow said Tuesday. "But I think that's just part of the game. We're doing a lot of right things, and I think we need to continue to do that. But as much as that's important, this is a new game. This is a playoff-type situation; it could be a preview of that first round, and we need to step it up and respond."

The Stanley Cup champion Ducks are saying the same things. Anaheim's best defenders have dialed up their performances in recent games, and they will be tested against a Stars team that has added Brad Richards since they last met Feb. 15.

Of course, the Stars have seen a Ducks team that has been trying to blend in defensemen Scott Niedermayer and winger Teemu Selanne – and both are now fully integrated. That said, Anaheim is without suspended defenseman Chris Pronger (who is out eight games after stepping on Vancouver's Ryan Kesler), and the Stars are still missing injured blueliners Sergei Zubov (foot) and Philippe Boucher (shoulder).

But the focus tonight won't be on players not in the lineup. It will be on ones who could be part of a vicious battle. Ribeiro said he understands the pressure that comes with being a targeted player.

"I know it's going to be tougher and that I have to be tougher," said Ribeiro, who has a goal and two assists in Dallas' recent 1-5-0 slump. "That's the same for everyone, but it's important for me because I need to be better."

Part of Ribeiro's challenge is finding new ways to create scoring chances. The 28-year-old center played much of his career in the Eastern Conference with the Montreal Canadiens. So Western teams weren't as familiar with Ribeiro, who brought some fresh moves to the Stars early in the season that helped push him to 27 goals and 77 points (11th in the league in points). But teams are starting to pick up on those moves.

"I think he definitely expects the pressure now, and he's trying to fight through it," said teammate Stephane Robidas. "But he has done this at every other level of his career. He's been the guy that everyone was watching, and he's simply found a new way to score. He's ready for it, and he's going to come out and push his game."

But he can't do it alone. Stars coach Dave Tippett has spread his lines out in hopes of forcing the opposition to make some tough choices on whom they want to check. Tippett will get the last line change since tonight is a home game, so he should be able to find favorable matchups.

Even if he does, however, the Ducks will have another chance to figure out the Stars on March 30 in Anaheim. And the teams could have the ultimate battle in the first round of the playoffs.

"We need to remember this in every game but especially this one," Robidas said. "For us to play our best, we have to do all of the little things right. We need to understand that any play can win a game and that any play can lose a game, and you have to think that way the second you step on the ice."




- How long can an elite player like Michael Young take this crap?



Texas Rangers' Young, Catalanotto don't want playoff 0-fer

12:25 AM CDT on Wednesday, March 19, 2008
By EVAN GRANT / The Dallas Morning News
egrant@dallasnews.com

SURPRISE, Ariz. – Frank Catalanotto and Michael Young were back-to-back in the Texas Rangers' lineup Tuesday. It's the other list on which they are back-to-back that angers them.

They are two of 10 active major leaguers with at least 1,000 games played and no trips to the postseason. Catalanotto ranks eighth with 1,075. Young is ninth.

"It's surprising and it's disappointing," Catalanotto said before going 0-for-3 in the Rangers' 11-6 win over Oakland. "I would have thought there were more guys in the same situation, but there aren't. My brother saw some list and I had the fourth-most service time among guys who haven't made the playoffs. You don't want to be on a list like that."

It is why Catalanotto, who is one day shy of 10 full years in the majors, is willing to accept whatever his role becomes with the Rangers this year. A left-handed hitter who struggled against lefties, he long ago realized he'd probably only be a platoon starter in the big leagues.

Now, he's willing to accept that, despite a .294 career batting average, he could be the least-used member of the Rangers' quintet of outfielders who will split four jobs (designated hitter in addition to the outfield spots) this season.

Catalanotto could lose playing time to David Murphy, who has been the Rangers' secondary spring hitting sensation behind Josh Hamilton (batting .556). The Rangers expected their "regular" outfield was to consist of Marlon Byrd in left, Hamilton in center and Milton Bradley in right. But Bradley is still recovering from knee surgery, and if he does start the season on the active roster, it's likely to be as DH. Catalanotto, who was expected to be the primary DH against left-handed pitching, could move to the outfield to replace Bradley.

Murphy, a left-handed hitter like Catalanotto, is hitting .410 this spring and is considered a superior defender. He could end up taking away at-bats from Catalanotto.

"At this point, my main goal is to make the playoffs before my career is over," Catalanotto said. "I want to say I was able to get a taste of what that's like. And so, if there is a better lineup to put out there than one with me in it, so be it. I'll do whatever is asked of me in whatever role. I don't care where I hit in the order. Winning is what's important. That's all I want to do at this point."

The lack of playoff appearances and the seemingly constant rebuilding process the Rangers have endured is what has frustrated Young. He is entering his eighth season in the majors, all with the Rangers, and he's had exactly one winning season.

"You want to win," he said. "It stinks to have to watch the playoffs every year. I don't want to do that. I see a clutch situation in October and I want to be in it."

Mendoza line: Perhaps the most important thing coaches and managers want to see from young pitchers is the ability to learn from mistakes and adjust.

Right-hander Luis Mendoza may have clinched himself a spot in the rotation by doing just that Tuesday. Mendoza held Oakland to a run on two hits during a 61-pitch, five-inning outing. He became the first Rangers pitcher to go five innings this spring, then needed to throw another 15 pitches in the bullpen just to reach his pitch limit.

The Rangers were pleased that Mendoza more unpredictably mixed in his change up than he did Thursday against Colorado. In that game, Mendoza retired the first 10 batters, then didn't retire another. He fed the Rockies too steady a diet of fastballs. Also, Mendoza threw the change-up often to left-handed hitters with success.

"He just showed he's got some aptitude for pitching and that he learns from his mistakes," pitching coach Mark Connor said. "We told him we didn't want him to be too predictable and he wasn't."

The Rangers will have their first major evaluation meeting Friday. Mendoza appears to be the leading contender for the fifth spot in the rotation, though continued struggles by lefty Kason Gabbard could push Mendoza higher.

The mighty 'pen: Closer C.J. Wilson and setup man Joaquin Benoit each pitched an inning in a minor league game without issue Tuesday, and it appears that fears they wouldn't be ready for the start of the season have been alleviated.

Both are scheduled to pitch again in a minor league game Thursday and will pitch in the "A" game Saturday. It will be Benoit's first "A" game of the spring and Wilson's second. Also, left-hander Eddie Guardado will pitch in a minor league game Thursday, which could be his last step before returning to an "A" game.

Briefly: RHP Michael Main, one of the Rangers' two first-round picks in last year's June draft, has a stress fracture in his rib cage and is not expected to pitch until late May. The Rangers, however, don't expect it to hinder his development. The team had not planned to send him to a club until late May to keep his innings total for the season down. ... DH-OF Milton Bradley asked to be excused from playing in minor league games as he rehabs his surgically repaired knee. He wants the challenge of facing major league pitching. He is scheduled to DH on Friday against the Los Angeles Angels. Manager Ron Washington acknowledged that it would "be a close call" on whether Bradley will be ready to start the season.




- Here's the Maverick's playoff fate......


- Wow.


- Let's remember the good times...