Stack shows youngsters how it's done

So there’s Jerry Stackhouse hitting the track this summer with Moe Ager and Nick Fazekas. Is there a lesson there?

“They need to see it never stops,” Stackhouse told mavs.com out in Las Cruces, N.M. “If you’re a young guy just coming on or trying to make a team or you’re a guy that’s in your 13th year, it’s still about conditioning and preparing your body for the grind.

“Playing 82 games plus the playoffs can be taxing. I had no idea it would translate into having to start or anything like that. I was just doing it for my own psyche.”

Stackhouse has started three games this preseason, including Tuesday night’s wild 101-99 win over Sacramento at the Pan American Center on the campus of New Mexico State. Stackhouse remains in the running to open the season alongside Devin Harris in the backcourt.

He’s primarily been the sixth man since arriving in Dallas and has thrived in that role. Over the last two seasons, Stackhouse has single-handedly outscored the opposing bench 18 times and another nine times in the playoffs.

His commitment to his body is a product of his age (turns 33 on Nov. 5) and the three-year contract extension signed in July. Mavericks coach Avery Johnson noted that Stackhouse “worked out probably harder this offseason” then ever before and arrived for training camp in excellent shape.

“The team made a good investment in me, and I wanted to make sure I’m strong enough to play and do what I need to do to help us achieve our goal,” Stackhouse said. “It’s about leading by example. It was great for the young guys to see it was them and me.”