SB Nation User Blog: Wes Cox

Hornets fire Scott

Wes Cox — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:48:23 -0000

Hornets fire Scott

"The New Orleans Hornets have responded to their 3-6 start by making the first coaching change of the young NBA season, firing Byron Scott on Thursday, according to NBA coaching sources."

Thursday Roundup

Wes Cox — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:38:21 -0000

More photos » by Darren Abate - AP

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Behind the Box Score, where 'yeah! Go Bucks! Whoo!' | Kelly Dwyer
On Dallas' side, Dirk Nowitzki(notes) is missing good shots. He's shooting 35.7 percent over his last two games, I watched good chunks of both, and he's failing to drain makeable looks that he usually sends home. Still, if the poor marksmanship ends tomorrow, the Mavs are just 1-1 during the swoon, with a semi-close loss to the Spurs to show for it. Not bad. 29 in the loss for Dirk.

Dallas Mavericks still demanding too much from Dirk | Eddie Sefko
"It's unfortunate it comes down to having to throw the ball to Dirk every time and have him win the game on his own," coach Rick Carlisle said. "We're not going to play on a high level and win at a high level doing that."

Ex-Bucks stop here in Spurs' victory over Mavs | San Antonio Express News
Bogans clamped down, alternately, on Josh Howard, Jason Terry, Jason Kidd and J.J. Barea — none of whom shot better than 50 percent from the field. "That's what Keith Bogans does," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. Bogans also did something Keith Bogans doesn't. After totaling 16 points his first five games, he hit three first-half 3-pointers

Donuts: Spurs 92, Mavs 83 In Ugly-Ass Loss |DB.com
So the Mavs didn't play Damp much because Carlisle opted to go with the Fave Five, eh? Not exactly. I'm going through my notes, my memory and the play-by-play with a fine-toothed comb. ...and nope. Kidd, Dirk, Josh, Marion and Jet never played together. Not a minute.

Howard limps out of Dallas Mavericks' 92-83 loss to Spurs | DMN
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 back-to-back [games for Howard]. We'll evaluate it and treat it accordingly. He's had some soreness. It's no secret. There's going to be times when there's soreness, and we have to get him out of the game.

Game 8: Mavs at Spurs Open Thread

Wes Cox — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:22:44 -0000

Dallas Favored by 2 | Over/Under 196 | Pounding the Rock

Discuss the game here

GO MAVS

Wednesday Morning Roundup

Wes Cox — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:23:10 -0000

More photos » by Mike Fuentes - AP

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Mavs Get Off Their Big Fat Ballots For A Comeback/Blowout Of The Rockets | DB.com
headlined by offense but fueled by the work at the other end of the AAC floor, a 121-103 Mavs victory that establishes the difference between the Southwest Division-rival Mavs and Rockets: Houston's roster is made up of hard-working refugees from the Island of Misfit Basketball Toys. Dallas' roster really is star-powered and if the Mavs will simply match the other team's effort, they can elimnate the 17-point-deficits and start stockpiling 18-point victories.

Pace about to pick up for Dallas Mavericks | DMN
Coach Rick Carlisle has a broader sense of how tough the Southwest is. "This has been, the last two or three years, probably the most competitive division in all of sports, and I still see it that way," Carlisle says. "Every win you can get is huge for overall record, for tiebreakers down the road and everything else. They're all going to be [gut-wrenching] games."

Duncan, Parker doubtful vs. Mavs | San Antonio Express News
It appears likely the Spurs will face the Dallas Mavericks at the AT&T Center tonight without All-Stars Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. Neither player participated in the Spurs' light Tuesday afternoon practice session and were officially listed as doubtful for tonight's game. Both are nursing left ankle injuries suffered in last Thursday's game against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City.

Jason Terry's All-Star Aspirations | DMN
It might be a long shot for a sixth man to make it to the game to be played Valentine's Day at Cowboys Stadium, but Terry plans on being there no matter what. "This is going to be special," Terry said as the ballot was unveiled. "I'll announce the team. I'll put on Champ's uniform [Mavs' mascot]. Whatever I have to do, but I will be in attendance participating."

Mavs Defeat Rockets 121 - 103: Postgame Quotes

Wes Cox — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:11:20 -0000

More photos » by Glenn James - NBAE/Getty Images

BEAST

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Erick Dampier

Why are you off to such a great start?

The guys are looking for me more around the basket. A lot of it is Jason Kidd. He has the ball in his hands a lot so the only thing I can do is present myself in an open area and try to score whenever I get it. When I get fouled I just take my time at the free throw line and knock down those shots.

We've talked a lot about the chemistry this season. Do you think that has a lot to do with Jason Kidd?

It's more of everybody being willing to make the extra pass. Our defense starts our offense. We've got to go out and defend and rebound consistently each and every night - and not really worry about the offensive end. We have guys who can put the ball in the basket and we give guys different looks every night. If somebody isn't going, then someone comes off the bench and gives us the extra pep we need. We are a team, and if we play hard together good things are going to happen for us.

What is the focus for tomorrow night?

You're talking about a totally different defensive team. We know who the ball is going to go through there. Tim is going to get his touches, if he's back. If he's playing, we'll try to contest all of his shots and make him take contested shots at the basket -- keep those guys off the boards. We can't start the game the way we started tonight. We have to start the game better, so we're just going to go out there and give it a great team effort and play some great team defense -- hopefully come out victorious.

JJ Barea

You showed real commitment to stay in the game after being down 17.

They started on fire. They were making everything. They were playing harder. I think we made a good comeback in the second quarter. At halftime coach got mad, started kicking a couple things, and got us back together. We knew we were going to comeback, and we had a hell of a second half.

What was that message in the second half?

It was just to get us pumped. 'Come on we need energy, we need to hustle, they're playing harder than us...' It was just about that. It wasn't about basketball.

How do you become a more consistent team defensively?

Keep practicing, keep getting better. It's a team defense -- five guys have to be on the same page at the same time. On the pick-and-roll we have to defend a little bit better. Brooks and Lowry were getting into the paint tonight. Keep getting better. It's a long season.

Talk about Erick Dampier.

He's one of the best. I love him as a teammate. I love him as my big guy. If he can be my big guy forever, I'll take him. He sets screens. He never asks for the ball. He does the dirty work, and we love him for that.

Rick Carlisle

We were just getting our tails kicked and the guys got angry -- started playing a lot harder and with a lot more purpose. That started the turnaround. The play in the first half was really poor. We got scored on eleven straight times at one point. It was everybody. Everybody was involved. It was late first quarter to midway through the second. It's embarrassing how poorly we were playing. Give them credit, they were agressive, and making shots, and driving the ball, and persistent defensively. They had something to do with it. This kind of wild inconsistency is obviously something we've go to to work on.

Talk about Erick Dampier.

He was great He was not only a presence around the basket, he was a force. The numbers are monster numbers, so without him we would have been in real trouble tonight. but he's been playing big for us all seven games.

Defense on Brooks in the second half...

We just did a better job guarding him. And it wasn't just one guy left on an island, our whole team was reacting to what was going on. He played over 20 minutes in the first half, so maybe he wears down a little bit too. But we were a lot better. Our disposition was strong defensively, and we played better offensively. In the first quarter we turned it over eight times or something and just were disheveled. We're going to have to play a lot better.

Game 7: Rockets at Mavs Open Thread

Wes Cox — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:21:47 -0000

Dallas favored by 6.5 | Over/Under 200 | The Dream Shake

Discuss the game here.

GO MAVS

POLL: Blue or Green

Wes Cox — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:37:46 -0000

So, we've seen the new unis three times. What does everyone think?

I'm not expecting this poll to be close -- especially given the 'blues' 3-0 record.

Poll

Which uniform do you prefer?

The Monday Links

Wes Cox — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:12:47 -0000

More photos » by Tim Sharp - AP

4 days ago: Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh (4) is fouled by Dallas Mavericks center Erick Dampier, right, as he drives toward the basket during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)

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Howard returns to Mavs, finds motivation from critics | Art Garcia
"No, if anything he needs to come say something to me," Howard said. "I heard Jeff Van Gundy tried to stick up for me. [Jackson] don't know what it's like in my shoes. I had two major surgeries. I don't give a [flip] if he was Mark Jackson back in the day. "Stuff like that is just extra motivation. I just go out and play ball. I guess he's trying to live through me."

Defense makes the difference for Dallas Mavericks this season | DMN
They addressed defense in the off-season, adding Marion and his far-reaching wingspan and SMU-ex Quinton Ross, whose strength is being a perimeter pest. "Just by adding those two players, we're already a better defensive team," Dirk Nowitzki said. "We've made a conscious effort to be better defensively. We're doing well defensively, and we're rotating for each other and scrambling and the defense has been fun to watch."

DB.com |Mavs Monday Donuts: J-Ho, Nellie & 'Balls'
We're not finished with The Josh Watch, you know. Dallas will have to monitor pain and swelling and the medical team will have to listen to J-Ho, who, remember, following his successful debut Saturday in the win over Toronto, said he still "isn't 100 percent."

Game 6: Raptors at Mavs Open Thread

Wes Cox — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:01:46 -0000

Dallas favored by 7.5 | Over/Under 202 | J5 Returns | Raptors HQ

Discuss the game here.

GO MAVS

11/7 Roundup

Wes Cox — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:09:58 -0000

Mavs Afternoon Drive: Another 'Flier' On Roddy?
More injury stuff: Drew Gooden (ribs) did not participate in full contact work for most of this week and should be considered questionable at best for Saturday’s game against Toronto. Tim Thomas (knee) worked out but is not ready to make his debut. Quinton Ross (lower back) also missed the workout. Which makes me want to bounce back to TAKE 1: If the Mavs are without Ross, Gooden, Thomas and Josh on Saturday night … wouldn’t it be wise to take another "flier’’?

Dallas Mavericks searching for offensive consistency
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."

DB.com's Saturday Mavs Donuts
I bet Dallas will look for Josh Howard to test his ankle at this morning’s shootaround and then make some evaluations from there.

Gina Miller's Twitter
wouldnt be surprised if josh howard suited up tomorrow vs raptors.