http://www.star-telegram.com/287/story/254066.html
Mavs tipping hats to Nowitzki's attitude
DALLAS -- The last time Dirk Nowitzki made an appearance at the American Airlines Center, he solemnly accepted the league MVP trophy as he shouldered responsibility of a bitter playoff collapse.
On Monday, the Mavericks' 7-foot star was back for media day. His smile was back, too, as well as a well-groomed goatee. He appeased several groups of media members with lengthy, impromptu interviews, doing one while donning a reporter's slightly undersized fedora atop the return of his shaggy blonde hair.
Nowitzki talked about his Bohemian summer travels, the decent showing of his German National team in Spain and, of course, about beginning a new season again on the heels of a monumental playoff disappointment.
But, he also signaled why this season's Mavs team, mostly unchanged from last season, could be the one to put the pieces together.
"That last step is hard, it's a beast," Nowitzki said. "Winning it all, there's a lot of factors that play into it. You can't just plan on it. You have to work and keep believing in yourself and the team."
He and coach Avery Johnson have spoken of Nowitzki taking a larger leadership role on and off the court, but Johnson emphasized that Nowitzki can't do it alone.
"It's all about him getting his team to play at a high level and everybody else stepping up," Johnson said. "What people fail to realize is superstars are double- and triple-teamed in playoff series, especially when you're the MVP, and it requires everybody else to play well."
Johnson wants set five
Avery Johnson said he'd like to develop a consistent starting five that can match up against any lineup, and that could mean a new backcourt.
Johnson said pairing the 6-foot-3 Devin Harris, who's set to take over at point guard, and 6-2 Jason Terry at shooting guard doesn't always provide enough size or defense.
With Terry at the point, Johnson often used 6-8 Devean George at shooting guard, and the recent acquisition of 6-foot-5 veteran Trenton Hassell, a solid defender, gives Johnson another option.
"I'd like to have a lineup that we can play against small, big or medium teams and let that lineup find some chemistry consistently during the course of the year," Johnson said.
That might require sacrifice from one or more players accustomed to starting.
"Absolutely," Johnson said. "And it's going to require more patience on my part."
Briefly
Trenton Hassell is attending to his ill father and will report to training camp late, Avery Johnson said.
The Pacers released former Mavs guard Darrell Armstrong on Monday and it's possible the 39-year-old could land with Mavs on a non-guaranteed contract if he's still available. The Mavs, due to owning the league's best record last season, pick last on the waiver wire.
Center Erick Dampier's surgically repaired shoulder is likely to keep him out of action into the middle of November, while third-string center DJ Mbenga, coming off major knee surgery, hopes to be at full strength for the Oct. 31 season-opener.
Mavs key dates
Training camp begins: today
Preseason schedule
Oct. 9 vs. San Antonio, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 12 at Chicago, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 13 at Washington*, 6 p.m.
Oct. 16 at Sacramento#, 9 p.m.
Oct. 18 at Houston, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 vs. Detroit, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 21 vs. New Orleans, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 vs. Chicago, 7:30 p.m.
Season opener
Oct. 31 at Cleveland, 7 p.m., KTXA/21; ESPN
Home opener
Nov. 3 vs. Sacramento, 7:30 p.m., KTXA/21
*Fairfax, Va.
#Las Cruces, N.M.
Training camp roster
No Player Pos Ht/Wt
13 Maurice Ager G 6-5/202
11 Jose Barea G 6-0/175
32 Brandon Bass F 6-8/240
25 Erick Dampier C 6-11/265
7 DeSagana Diop C 7-0/280
20 Nick Fazekas F 6-11/235
40 Devean George G/F 6-8/235
8 Darvin Ham F 6-7/240
34 Devin Harris G 6-3/185
23 Trenton Hassell F 6-5/233
5 Josh Howard F 6-7/210
28 DJ Mbenga C 7-0/255
6 Eddie Jones G/F 6-6/200
10 Jared Newson G 6-5/215
41 Dirk Nowitzki F 7-0/245
30 Jamal Sampson F/C 6-11/235
42 Jerry Stackhouse G/F 6-6/218
31 Jason Terry G 6-2/180
NBA Calendar
2007
Saturday: Start of preseason.
Oct. 29: Rosters set.
Oct. 30: Start of regular season.
2008
Feb. 17: All-Star game at
New Orleans.
Feb. 21: Trading deadline.
April 16: Regular season ends.
April 19: Playoffs begin.
April 27: NBA Draft early entry eligibility deadline.
June 16: Early entry withdrawal deadline.
June 26: NBA Draft at New York.