The unveiling of Avery Johnson’s preferred starting lineup won’t happen until Nov. 3 at the earliest, as Josh Howard serves his two-game suspension. Depending on how Howard’s sprained left wrist checks out from this morning’s MRI, the timetable could actually be a bit longer.
Johnson isn’t even tipping his hand on what starting 5 he’ll use when the Mavs open at Cleveland on Halloween Night. We do know four of the starters once Howard does get back: Dirk Nowitzki, Devin Harris, Gana Diop and Howard.
The guessing game throughout camp has been at that shooting guard spot opposite Harris in the backcourt. Jerry Stackhouse, Eddie Jones and Trenton Hassell all started there during preseason. It appears more likely that Stackhouse and Jason Terry, last year’s starter, are coming off the bench.
So that leaves Jones or Hassell. Jones has been through the wars, has 3-point range, but is still working his way back into shape. Hassell is a dogged perimeter defender, but doesn’t have the shooting range of Jones or offensive history. If I had to guess, I’d go with Hassell, but that’s just a guess.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Hassell or Jones at the 2?
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1 comment:
Neither......the season may begin with one of them at the 2 guard position but in due time the position will go to Josh Howard and he's been there all along.
The reason is obviously the emergence of Brandon Bass who will provide the missing front court link the Mavs have needed all along. He brings the power, rebounding and inside scoring missing all these years. This will make Dirk even better than he has been with another "twin power" type to take more of the load and open up more room for Dirk to roam.
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