ducks
10-11-2007, 11:41 AM
http://www.nba.com/mavericks/news/Ma...ok_100907.html
Make no mistake, the Mavericks and Spurs are rivals. That doesn’t mean the people that inhabit both ends of the I-35 rivalry aren’t people. Or can’t be friends.
One aspect of San Antonio’s latest title touched more than a few who wear “Dallas” across their chests. The respect for teammate Michael Finley from within the Mavs organization hasn't waned.
“I was happy for him,” close friend Dirk Nowitzki said before Tuesday night’s preseason opener against San Antonio at American Airlines Center.
“He deserves it more than anyone. He worked hard his whole career and has always been a great professional.”
Nowitzki’s feelings mirror those he had when buddy Steve Nash claimed his first MVP. The Big Three hoped to experience the ultimate together, but apart they’ve continued to succeed.
Jerry Stackhouse also appreciates Finley’s path. Both were first-round draft picks in 1995 and have at least three teams on their résumés.
“We’ve all had successful careers when it comes to what’s happened between the lines, but when you can look back and say you were on a championship team, you can’t ever take that for granted,” Stackhouse said. “I was happy for Fin. I was disappointed the year we went to the Finals and him missing that, but it came full circle for him. I know he would feel the same way for guys like myself who have been on the same roller coaster of NBA life.”
Stackhouse ran into Finley’s wife during the playoffs and wished his former teammate luck, adding “we’re all family in a lot of ways.”
“That’s what it’s about. It’s about being able to persevere in this league,” Stackhouse said. “The year right after he left and he went to San Antonio and we put them out of the playoffs, I’m pretty sure that was a tough time. He just kept persevering and persevering and saw that light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully we can achieve that same thing. We’re all happy for Fin.”
As for Finley, he hasn’t stopped beaming since June. He actually slept with the game ball from Game 4 of the Finals – San Antonio swept Cleveland – for several weeks after the series.
“I wanted that ball,” he said. “I wanted to savor the moment as long as I could. It was a long time coming.”
AJ-Pop back-and-forth
Avery Johnson also couldn’t help but poke a little fun at his former team. “The coach is average,” he quipped, “but the players are great.”
As expected, San Antonio skipper Gregg Popovich shot back: “Everything I learned I learned from him, so he didn’t teach me very much.”
That sort of banter has gone on for years.
“He always likes to poke fun at me,” Johnson reminded. “That’s going to be an ongoing deal. I’m just disappointed he’s softer on Tony Parker than he was on me.”
Parker didn’t play Tuesday. He wasn’t injured, Popovich just wanted to rest his star point guard after a summer playing for the French national team. Johnson never received that kind of treatment.
“Sit out a preseason game? Are you kidding me?” Johnson cracked. “I don’t think if I would have gotten married in Paris if [Popovich] would have come.”
It wasn’t all jokes. Johnson was asked about the Spurs’ decision to retire his number in a ceremony Dec. 22 at the SBC Center.
“What a thrill,” he said. “What an honor. It’s pretty special. You often go into different arenas around the NBA and they’re not many guys whose jerseys are hanging in the rafters.”
How ’bout them Cowboys
Like most of Dallas, Avery Johnson was glued to the set last night for Cowboys-Bills. (He probably flipped over to "Dancing with the Stars" during commercials.)
“That was a pretty exciting game and the funny thing is you just had a feeling they were going to win it all along,” Johnson said. “I guess Owens said their guy [Nick Folk] kicked a 106-yarder.”
Johnson is good friends with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and made a prediction when the two had dinner last week.
“I kinda told him he was going to be 5-0, so I guess I’m right,” Johnson admitted.
So is there a lesson to learn in the Cowboy’s wild 25-24 comeback win?
“You just never give up,” Johnson preached. “Like I tell my guys all the times during our championship games with the Spurs, people talking about me hitting the shot, but I had six turnovers in the first half.
“And Tony Romo had a lot of turnovers, so you just hang in there. I like to see teams that are mentally tough. I was more impressed with their win last night than I was with the other four.”
Layups
• Avery Johnson’s goal going into Tuesday night’s “simulated game” against San Antonio was to get everybody who’s healthy some minutes. His plan for this preseason, which is always subject to change, is to get his main guys into about six or seven of the eight games.
• Gana Diop was in starting lineup Tuesday after missing Monday’s practice dealing with a head cold. The seventh-year center reported he's down to about 270 pounds from his listed 280 of last season.
• Speaking of weight, Devin Harris has dropped seven pounds since the start of camp. He had gained 15 pounds of muscle during the offseason.
• Devean George reported his rehab remains on schedule and he hopes to begin treadmill work in a couple days.
Make no mistake, the Mavericks and Spurs are rivals. That doesn’t mean the people that inhabit both ends of the I-35 rivalry aren’t people. Or can’t be friends.
One aspect of San Antonio’s latest title touched more than a few who wear “Dallas” across their chests. The respect for teammate Michael Finley from within the Mavs organization hasn't waned.
“I was happy for him,” close friend Dirk Nowitzki said before Tuesday night’s preseason opener against San Antonio at American Airlines Center.
“He deserves it more than anyone. He worked hard his whole career and has always been a great professional.”
Nowitzki’s feelings mirror those he had when buddy Steve Nash claimed his first MVP. The Big Three hoped to experience the ultimate together, but apart they’ve continued to succeed.
Jerry Stackhouse also appreciates Finley’s path. Both were first-round draft picks in 1995 and have at least three teams on their résumés.
“We’ve all had successful careers when it comes to what’s happened between the lines, but when you can look back and say you were on a championship team, you can’t ever take that for granted,” Stackhouse said. “I was happy for Fin. I was disappointed the year we went to the Finals and him missing that, but it came full circle for him. I know he would feel the same way for guys like myself who have been on the same roller coaster of NBA life.”
Stackhouse ran into Finley’s wife during the playoffs and wished his former teammate luck, adding “we’re all family in a lot of ways.”
“That’s what it’s about. It’s about being able to persevere in this league,” Stackhouse said. “The year right after he left and he went to San Antonio and we put them out of the playoffs, I’m pretty sure that was a tough time. He just kept persevering and persevering and saw that light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully we can achieve that same thing. We’re all happy for Fin.”
As for Finley, he hasn’t stopped beaming since June. He actually slept with the game ball from Game 4 of the Finals – San Antonio swept Cleveland – for several weeks after the series.
“I wanted that ball,” he said. “I wanted to savor the moment as long as I could. It was a long time coming.”
AJ-Pop back-and-forth
Avery Johnson also couldn’t help but poke a little fun at his former team. “The coach is average,” he quipped, “but the players are great.”
As expected, San Antonio skipper Gregg Popovich shot back: “Everything I learned I learned from him, so he didn’t teach me very much.”
That sort of banter has gone on for years.
“He always likes to poke fun at me,” Johnson reminded. “That’s going to be an ongoing deal. I’m just disappointed he’s softer on Tony Parker than he was on me.”
Parker didn’t play Tuesday. He wasn’t injured, Popovich just wanted to rest his star point guard after a summer playing for the French national team. Johnson never received that kind of treatment.
“Sit out a preseason game? Are you kidding me?” Johnson cracked. “I don’t think if I would have gotten married in Paris if [Popovich] would have come.”
It wasn’t all jokes. Johnson was asked about the Spurs’ decision to retire his number in a ceremony Dec. 22 at the SBC Center.
“What a thrill,” he said. “What an honor. It’s pretty special. You often go into different arenas around the NBA and they’re not many guys whose jerseys are hanging in the rafters.”
How ’bout them Cowboys
Like most of Dallas, Avery Johnson was glued to the set last night for Cowboys-Bills. (He probably flipped over to "Dancing with the Stars" during commercials.)
“That was a pretty exciting game and the funny thing is you just had a feeling they were going to win it all along,” Johnson said. “I guess Owens said their guy [Nick Folk] kicked a 106-yarder.”
Johnson is good friends with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and made a prediction when the two had dinner last week.
“I kinda told him he was going to be 5-0, so I guess I’m right,” Johnson admitted.
So is there a lesson to learn in the Cowboy’s wild 25-24 comeback win?
“You just never give up,” Johnson preached. “Like I tell my guys all the times during our championship games with the Spurs, people talking about me hitting the shot, but I had six turnovers in the first half.
“And Tony Romo had a lot of turnovers, so you just hang in there. I like to see teams that are mentally tough. I was more impressed with their win last night than I was with the other four.”
Layups
• Avery Johnson’s goal going into Tuesday night’s “simulated game” against San Antonio was to get everybody who’s healthy some minutes. His plan for this preseason, which is always subject to change, is to get his main guys into about six or seven of the eight games.
• Gana Diop was in starting lineup Tuesday after missing Monday’s practice dealing with a head cold. The seventh-year center reported he's down to about 270 pounds from his listed 280 of last season.
• Speaking of weight, Devin Harris has dropped seven pounds since the start of camp. He had gained 15 pounds of muscle during the offseason.
• Devean George reported his rehab remains on schedule and he hopes to begin treadmill work in a couple days.