PORTLAND, Ore. -- That four-man rotation at the center position that Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle employed last Sunday against the Phoenix Suns is so unconventional that not even he is a fan of it.
The Mavs got away with beating the Suns 110-95 with the unusual four-man platoon strategy in the middle. But that's probably the last time folks will see that alignment."I don't like playing four guys," Carlisle said Tuesday. "I don't think you can play in this league going into each game saying, 'Yeah, I'm going to play four different guys at the center position.' That's a formula that I've never seen it work."Rookie Bernard James made his first start of the season in that game, finishing with two points and three rebounds in 11 minutes. Elton Brand subbed for James midway through the first quarter and compiled 12 points and three rebounds in 17 minutes.Less than three minutes into the second period, Chris Kaman got his shot at the center position and wound up with six points and five rebounds in 11 minutes. Brandan Wright played the final 11 minutes and collected four points and three rebounds.Kaman, who is out indefinitely with a concussion, appears to be the player most emotionally hurt by the split time, especially because he started 33 of the Mavs' first 42 games and was brought here last summer specifically to be the team's starting center.But Brand, who played with Kaman on the Los Angeles Clippers from 2003-08, said it's time for Kaman to have a reality check."I'll be honest with him -- he's a friend of mine," Brand said. "I've known him for years, and I'm like, 'Look, you had your chance, and we didn't win.'"The Mavs are 14-19 with Kaman as their starting center. Also, Kaman has played 23 minutes or fewer in the last eight games, and the Mavs are 6-2 during that stretch.Forward Dirk Nowitzki, who also was a teammate of Kaman on the 2008 German national team, said Kaman has to channel his frustrations."But you've got to take that frustration out in the right direction and keep working and in practice go even harder," Nowitzki said. "Hopefully he understands that."Wright, who had missed the previous four games because of a coach's decision prior to playing against the Suns, believes he can be productive if given the proper time."I think I'm a good enough player to be out there every night," Wright said. "I'm just waiting for my opportunities."Carlisle said positive matchups and his gut feeling are intangibles he uses when deciding which center is going to man the pivot and at what moment during the game. But for now, Kaman's status on the indefinite list at least limits his juggling act at the center spot."Everything will be taken into consideration at all times," Carlisle said. "My hope is to get to something that's a little more consistent than it's been."Dwain Price, 817-390-7760Twitter: @DwainPrice
Chris Kaman's concussion leaves Mavericks a bit short
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