Practice report (10/28/12): 15-man roster deadline looms; Mavs prepare for season opener
Earl K. Sneed reports from the Dallas Mavericks' Sunday practice, as the team prepares for a back-to-back on the road to begin the season while the front office weighs roster decisions.
Practice report (10/28/12): 15-man roster deadline looms; Mavs prepare for season opener
DALLAS – There are decisions to be made for the Dallas Mavericks in the coming days.
Sunday, just 22 hours after the Mavericks announced the additions of big man Melvin Ely and swingman Chris Doublas-Roberts following waiver claims, the organization cut ties with the two roster hopefuls as Monday’s 4 p.m. CT deadline looms to trim down to a 15-man roster.
Still, with the addition of center Eddy Curry on Thursday, the Mavs currently sit with 16 players to fill 15 spots, as owner Mark Cuban and the front office continue to weigh the indefinite suspension of eight-year veteran guard Delonte West.
“We’ll decide tomorrow,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said as his team rounds into shape before Tuesday night’s season opener. “I think we inch closer every day, but there’s still things we’re considering and we’re gonna take our time.”
One of the things the Mavericks will have to consider is the future of Curry, a 7-footer who at 295 pounds could help a banged up Dallas front line.
Sunday, after missing the team’s final four preseason games due to a strained right calf, projected starting center Chris Kaman returned to practice but only participated in non-contact drills. Meanwhile, fellow big man Brandan Wright (sprained left ankle) and rookie standout Jae Crowder (right hamstring) went through the full practice, which is an encouraging sign as the short-handed squad prepares for a daunting road back-to-back against the Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz to open up the regular season.
And with Kaman’s availability still in question to start the season, Carlisle admits that Curry could help the Mavs against two physical teams to open play, after the newcomer posted 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting and seven rebounds in a 99-82 preseason finale win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday night.
“He’s doing OK. He’s a force in the paint offensively. We’d like to get him more active defensively and rebounding a little bit more, but his attitude has been good. He’s worked to get himself in pretty good shape and he’s given himself a chance,” the coach said of Curry’s first impressions since arriving in Dallas.
“It’s hard to say,” Curry said of his chances of making the team. “I’ve only been here for two days, but I’m just trying to soak in as much as I can and try to apply it to the games and the practices. And I think Tuesday will be a great test for myself and for this team, so it’s something I’m looking forward to and we’ll see what happens .”
Note: The Mavericks tip off the regular season in Los Angeles on Tuesday night against the Lakers in the first game of a back-to-back. The game will air nationally on TNT at 9:30 p.m. CT.
