Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson didn't name names Monday, but he made it clear that Dirk Nowitzki should have had backup after New Orleans Hornets forward David West tapped him on the cheek during a staredown late in Game 1.
Both players were assessed technical fouls.
"More than anything we need players to not back down from anybody, that's what the playoffs are all about," Johnson said. "More than Dirk doing something about it, I would have liked for somebody else on the team, preferably in the center position, to do something about it.
"Was that clear enough?"
Since Johnson probably wasn't referring to Jamaal Magloire, it seems reasonable to assume Erick Dampier is the center Johnson called out. One problem with that -- Dampier was on the bench at the time. Had he done something about it, a forthcoming suspension for leaving the bench area would have kept him out of Game 2.
That leaves third-year power forward Brandon Bass, who sometimes plays center. Bass and West were teammates the past two seasons with the Hornets.
Three players drew technical fouls in Game 1. Hornets center Tyson Chandler got the first at the 5:36 mark of the third for shoving Nowitzki. Although the Mavs and Hornets do not have a contentious history, the finality of the playoffs always exudes physical and intense action.
"It's never going to be personal out there," Chandler said. "It's just guys playing hard, and it's going to be physical on both ends."
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Technically, who has Dirk's back?
Moderators: Dirk, HMFFL, Mavrelous
Technically, who has Dirk's back?
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HMFFL
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Technically, who has Dirk's back?
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sweet daddy
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Makes me think of a Dallas-Utah series from many years ago. Karl Malone put a cheap shot on Brad Davis. When Davis got up off the floor, you could tell he was really pissed, and he backed into Malone as he was getting up. Malone smiled and said something to him, and about that time James Donaldson stepped up behind Malone and said something to him. You should have seen the look on Malone's face. Like he had maybe bit off a little more than he could chew.
Nobody has anybody's back around here. It usually is the center that steps up for his teammates. I loved that Donaldson did that. Remember it all these years later.
I'd love to see Damp get up in somebody's face defending one of our players. Even if it cost him a short suspension. Or go get somebody big and tough who's willing to do it.
Nobody has anybody's back around here. It usually is the center that steps up for his teammates. I loved that Donaldson did that. Remember it all these years later.
I'd love to see Damp get up in somebody's face defending one of our players. Even if it cost him a short suspension. Or go get somebody big and tough who's willing to do it.
'daddy knows best'
