Mavericks’ Harris making gradual strides from toe injury
When pressed, Dallas Mavericks guard Devin Harris didn’t have an answer on whether he’ll be able to play immediately after the All-Star break.
“If the medicine works, then yes,” Harris said. “If it doesn’t ...”
Harris has missed the past nine games with a sprained left great toe. He’s taking new medicine with minimal success.
“I’m in shoes, so that’s improvement,” Harris said. “I’m still not able to move like I need to or want to, but it’s definitely improving in small amounts.”
Harris sustained his injury Jan. 24 in Houston. The Mavericks, who are 4-5 since Harris went down, missed the 12-year veteran’s defensive tenacity.
I’m in shoes, so that’s improvement. I’m still not able to move like I need to or want to, but it’s definitely improving in small amounts.
Mavericks guard Devin Harris on his toe injury
“My understanding is that he’s doing better and getting better, on the one hand,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “On the other hand, he’s got a foot that’s got some things going on.”
It’s the same foot — but a different toe — that Harris had surgery on nearly two years ago.
“We’re hoping for the best,” Carlisle said. “I know that he does really want to play, I know that he’s working extremely hard on it.
“The break will be a good period of time to get some rest, and for him to continue to do rehab things and hopefully coming out and be available. It would really help us a lot because he’s a very, very important part of our team.”
The All-Star Game is Sunday in Toronto, and the Mavs’ first game after the break is Feb. 19 in Orlando.
Energy boosts
The Mavs have been receiving a huge boost lately from rookie forward Justin Anderson and second-year forward/center Dwight Powell.
They help us, and the thing that they bring constantly is just boundless energy. When you get guys that have an athletic impact on the game like that, and they bring that kind of energy, it’s a positive.
Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle on Justin Anderson and Dwight Powell
In two contests prior to Tuesday’s game against Utah, Anderson had 19 points and seven rebounds and was 6-of-12 from the field in 31 minutes. And Powell had 18 points and nine rebounds and was 4-of-6 in 27 minutes.
“They help us, and the thing that they bring constantly is just boundless energy,” Carlisle said. “When you get guys that have an athletic impact on the game like that, and they bring that kind of energy, it’s a positive.”
Shot for president?
Among his many business ventures, Mavs owner Mark Cuban has now dropped his name in the hat as a candidate for president.
And he insists he’s serious.
“I’m running as a candidate for the write-in vote,” Cuban said. “I’m announcing my presidency as part of the shot and beer party.
“You write my name in and after the election I’ll buy you a shot or a beer. And I propose that we have another debate — with all candidates — but you have to do a shot before every question.”
Vote for hacking
Cuban is a strong advocate for the strategy of intentionally fouling players and sending them to the free throw line.
Cuban claimed he still would have been behind the rule even if the Mavs had signed free agent center DeAndre Jordan, who is one of the NBA’s worst free throw shooters.
Cuban said the Mavs benefit from the fact that they have Gary Boren, the team’s free throw shooting coach.
Consistency needed
The Mavs were 36-19 last year at the All-Star break. So, would Cuban have taken this year’s 29-26 mark at the break had he known what he knows now?
“I never make predictions, so I don’t know,” Cuban said. “Let’s just say I think we can get a lot better and get a lot more consistent.”
Dwain Price: 817-390-7760, @dwainprice
This story was originally published February 9, 2016 at 10:07 PM with the headline "Mavericks’ Harris making gradual strides from toe injury."