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A Blast From The Past
Authored by Jeff Stotts - December 7, 2005 - 8:18 pm
The injury bug is infesting the Dallas Mavericks. Jason Terry’s recent hamstring injury is the latest in a string of injuries that have kept the Mavericks from having a complete roster. Sixth Man Jerry Stackhouse has been plagued with knee problems that have kept him from putting on a jersey. Starting small forward and Dirk Nowitzki’s super sidekick, Josh Howard, is nursing an ankle sprain while a more severe ankle injury forced the Mavs to waive the newly acquired Doug Christie. However the Mavericks remain a dangerous team and head into Memphis with a 13-5 record. The recent success can be attributed to the reemergence of a familiar face in Dallas, swingman Adrian Griffin.
A defensive-minded swingman, Griffin, returns to Dallas after a two year stint with the Chicago Bulls. A key component of the Mavs team that made it all the way to the 2003 Western Conference Finals, the six year veteran failed to re-sign with the Bulls this offseason and instead remained under the radar and unemployed. Unemployed, that is, until Coach Avery Johnson called the swingman at his home in Houston. The Mavericks, suffering from the aforementioned injury plague, were eager to bolster a depleted backcourt and have adequately filled that void with Griffin. The Seton Hall alum is averaging a respectable 9.3 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals in the three games he has started for the Mavs, all Dallas victories. He has proved a much needed spark in the absence of Howard and has fit in quickly because of his compatibility with Coach Johnson’s system.
While it is guaranteed Howard’s impending return means a decrease in his minutes, it doesn’t diminish Griffin’s value to the team. With Christie leaving Dallas Griffin will be a valuable replacement and may eventually prove to be better than Christie. In his few games with the Mavs, Christie got the starting nod over Marquis Daniels and probably did so more on reputation than actual skill. Daniels, a player filled with potential and in desperate need of playing time, joined the starting lineup and now has a chance to flourish. Griffin doesn’t have the baggage of Christie or his sensitive ego and will quietly return to the bench and flourish in the role. He hustles, defends, and has shown an improved jumpshot and will be a vital piece of a team with championship aspirations.
While the injuries have been disturbing, the Mavericks have sustained. Newest Maverick Adrian Griffin has bolstered a lineup in desperate need of a swingman. He has effectively filled the roster spot left by Doug Christie and will continue to aid the Mavericks in whatever role he eventually ends up in. However for the time being Griffin will help shoulder some of the burden in the starting lineup, at least until the injury bug is successfully exterminated. |
