Avery Johnson Wishes Mavs Would Toughen Up, Especially Dampier
There was a pretty hilarious scene during the Mavs/Hornets series opener, during which David West tapped Dirk Nowitzki on the face a couple of times after having taken an inadvertent elbow from the big German. Nowitzki did not react, of course, and that gave his vocal legion of critics plenty of ammunition.
Though most reasonable people seem to agree that Nowitzki was smart not to retaliate, his coach wishes a teammate - namely, Erick Dampier - would’ve stepped up and let the Hornets know that face-tapping would not be tolerated.
“I think more than anything we need players to not back down from anybody,” Avery said during a chat with reporters at the team hotel. “That’s what the playoffs are all about.
“More than Dirk doing something about it, I would have liked for somebody else on the team — preferably in the center position — to do something about it.”
Poor Damp. Every year someone seems to be calling him out. Be it Shaq during the 2006 Finals, and now his own head coach.
I can only hope that being put on blast for the whole world to see will lead Erick Dampier to do something as equally silly as David West’s face tap, something like pinching Chris Paul on the arm.
44 Responses to “Avery Johnson Wishes Mavs Would Toughen Up, Especially Dampier”
Apr.22 at 12:10 pm
Ken says:
“Erica”
Apr.22 at 12:15 pm
Nguni says:
mavs are soft! aint no way No”win”ski should be getting tapped but some youngin’ on the face. i still like dallas in 7. CP3 for mvp though!
Apr.22 at 12:16 pm
Nguni says:
*by some youngin’
Apr.22 at 12:24 pm
Eboy says:
Who’s trying to steal my Nowinski trademark?
Apr.22 at 12:24 pm
riggs says:
dirk shouldve slapped his hand or something, not look like frankenstein’s monster “durr tap tap?”
Apr.22 at 12:34 pm
DP says:
The good-CP3, the Bad-Dampiera, the Ugly- Dirk”no nuts”. Ho check by David West, that was messed up man. I don’t care who you are, you put yo hand in my face, there are going to be some conflicts in this b*tch. except with Dwight Howard and Ben Wallace.
Apr.22 at 12:39 pm
Allen says:
This may be one example of why it’s good for teammates to be buddies off the floor. You can’t force Damp to be upset because his teammate gets disrespected, but it’s a lot easier to get upset and do something about it if it’s your FRIEND that gets disrespected. You can’t force that kind of stuff. Either Damp cares as a professional, or he cares personally, which do you think would be more effective?
Apr.22 at 12:42 pm
Nguni says:
i wud tend to think, yea, if they were friends, damp woulda def had his back. but, even as professionals, the mentality of sticking up for teammates to be there, unless the whole team mentality is to be soft.
@eboy: loved the phrase too much not to use it.
Apr.22 at 12:50 pm
Rasheedionics says:
Michael Cooper is telling Dirk to pimp slap David West??? Hillarious… And did he call Dirk ATM at the end of that clip. Priceless!
Apr.22 at 12:52 pm
Rasheedionics says:
And wasnt Dampier on the bench at the time of the incident. Did Avery really expected him to leave the bench and get suspended?
Apr.22 at 1:16 pm
Eboy says:
Just fuc*ing with ya, Nguni.
Apr.22 at 1:31 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
Dirk Sucks
Apr.22 at 1:39 pm
j says:
Poor damn nothing, how much is son caking in the NBA for being an over grown body w/ a small head??
Apr.22 at 1:57 pm
Toney Blare says:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3358966 anyone else see the mistake here?
Apr.22 at 2:02 pm
Maurice Garland says:
um, well with me, it wouldnt get to that point anyway, no hands neh de face… but, really, shouldn’t we be questioning D.West for practically caressing another mans face? What part of the game is that? i swear that looked like those shaving cream commercials when the womans hand is rubbing on the dudes face as he stumbles to get his words out. i thought the object was to slap or mush, not gently sweep.
Apr.22 at 2:16 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
maurice, d. west’ was psychologically beating dirk down. it was like a pimp move. he wasn’t carressing him he was basically saying ” i’m about to make you my b**ch”
Apr.22 at 2:23 pm
Rasheedionics says:
David West is my new favorite player in NBA. Psychological Warrior: beating people down with his mind!
Apr.22 at 2:24 pm
Maurice Garland says:
haha, yeah, literally…haha, i wonder if that will be a new trend…slaps and closed fists=missed games…soft caresses=ok…NBA: Wear Face Tapping Happens…no doubt, dirk got tried, but i just found that to be funny…i guess a face tap is more disrespectful in the long run. Dirk prolly that that was yet another American custom he hadnt learned…
Apr.22 at 2:24 pm
Maurice Garland says:
and OH BOY am i glad the Hawks didnt get Damp when he was on the FA market…
Apr.22 at 2:34 pm
Darksaber says:
That was no slap, Fool was looking for a kiss. Punk.
Apr.22 at 2:40 pm
h-wag says:
If Avery wants to get something from Dampier how about letting him on the floor ?
Damp is riding the bench a lot and that is always the time when Chandler is making play after play. With Damp on the floor: not so much Chandler…
Apr.22 at 3:09 pm
s2 says:
i can see where AJ is coming from this one…west made dirk look like a school boy b***h, someone should done something whether it was damp or not…i guess we’ll wait and see how the mavs react to this one tonight, go hornets! cp3 mvp!
Apr.22 at 3:16 pm
Cheryl says:
I think the issue really is about whether or not this Dallas team is together or not, you know, the “Brotherhood” and all that? If they cared about one another, someone–not just to single Damp out–should have been up in West’s face. This team’s togetherness was destroyed after the ‘06 Finals. Eventhough they came back the next season and wrecked sh!t, they did it because they individually felt like they had something to prove, but not necessarily as a group. Once the loss to the Warriors happened, they’re being professional, but I’d bet no one on that team would complain if traded to a non-lottery team. So, my guess is that West’s little intimidation move, meant nothing to the rest of the Mavs players. Oh, they’ll probably front tonight, but that’s for show, not because they care about Dirk.
Apr.22 at 3:19 pm
Blacky says:
Dirk “No nuts” and Ericka Dampier what a couple . .
Apr.22 at 4:35 pm
The Best Yet says:
Cheryl, I get what your aying 100%. However, you fail to realize that the Dallas team is filled with Nike guys. Not that they dont care bout each other…just saying.
Apr.22 at 4:37 pm
The Best Yet says:
*saying
Apr.22 at 4:54 pm
phil says:
Leave it to Avery to make another dumb storyline.
Apr.22 at 4:57 pm
The Promise says:
Look,if a guy taps me on the face,he better be ready for a fight,cause I would not take that crap…you cant…Dirk should have knocked the crap outta him…if he would have done that, D West would think twice about that bullcrap…plus,when Dirks teammates saw that he was gonna stand there and take it,they should have got right in his face and told him to keep his hands off him…or just pound his face in…either would work.
Apr.22 at 4:58 pm
Bishop1405 says:
Dirk should have rubbed his bald head and wished for some testicles!
Apr.22 at 6:29 pm
BxBaller says:
I think Avery called out Dampier because he’s the biggest guy on the team, and has to be some type of enforcer.
Apr.22 at 7:48 pm
Hursty says:
qerg
Apr.22 at 7:49 pm
Hursty says:
oops. that wasnt sposed to come through. other post didnt. So…. Bosh is like Dirk?
Apr.22 at 8:13 pm
youngmuggsy says:
why would damp get involved, everyone on the mavs knows dirk hasnt got their backs.
Apr.22 at 9:17 pm
Lakers Blog says:
This team plays with a lack of intensity. Jason Kidd looks like he’s really trying out there but it just ain’t happening!!
Apr.22 at 9:32 pm
Sesa says:
Well, West has the guts to do that because it’s only Dirk. Try Shaq for size, or maybe even AI
Apr.22 at 10:32 pm
PimpSlapWithABackhand says:
Pimpslap!
Apr.23 at 12:34 am
Jimmy G says:
Story of Dirk’s career, he’s the only one (besides Brandon Bass)that’s giving 100% on the court, putting up his number, but all you hear is that he’s soft. He should change his name to Tracy McGrady and everyone will throw a pity party for him.
Apr.23 at 2:27 am
tealish says:
Jimmy G, you are so right. I’ve never understood it, and I never will.
Would Dirk be “unsoft” if he reacted by fronting DWest? You know, the confrontational nose touching exchange with no payout like all the true gangstas in the L?
Apr.23 at 6:37 am
maio says:
Look for Stackhouse to administer a titty-twister on Peja Stojakovic next game. I’m certain this would turn out to be a series defining moment.
Apr.23 at 7:15 am
purba says:
Guys, stop bashing Dirk. He is german! Anyone who knows the reputation of the german national soccer team should know what germans are tough. Real tough. I guess, being tapped on the cheek is regarded as a challenge for a duell in the middle age, so just wait for the inexplicable Dirk explosion. From Kaiserslautern with love.
Apr.23 at 8:47 am
NB says:
Damp elbowed D West in the back last night, but its too late. West sent the message he wanted in Game 1. The refs were ready for retaliation and called the game extremely tight. I like the Mavs, but it looks like the team has no cohesion whatsoever. I’m sure major changes will be made in the off season.
Apr.23 at 11:48 am
JimmyGoodfellow says:
Flatout!!! Chris Paul is bob’n and weave’n thru the Mavs like like the ‘99 Rams. What kinda defense r they playing? 4 on 5!! There is always sumbody wide open. I gotta watch closer cause i swear they were consistantly short a man on defense. LOL!!! Them boys dunn dunn dunn dunn dunn dunn dunn dunn. lol!!!!
Apr.24 at 6:25 am
Dacre says:
maybe its some kind of german greeting?
Apr.24 at 6:31 am
Dacre says:
If Nash was still there back in Dal-land he woulda turned and freakin back slammed that west kid….see him get up on horry last year?
DIRK needs to start up with an angry stare and growl at a brother….