Mavericks’ Josh Howard Plays With Sore Ankle; Team Cries Foul Over Foot Fault
By Kris Lazaro (5/8/2007)
A sore ankle did not stop Josh Howard from returning to action and the Mavericks also had benefit of Greg Buckner’s services though his left knee has not healed a hundred percent but he wanted to return to the team as many Maverick players are sitting out because of injury.
Injuries seem to be plaguing the Mavericks and testing their playing abilities. Injuries are also testing some of the players pain threshold levels. Howard was in the starting lineup for a game against Minnesota even though a week again he had twisted his right ankle.
Mavericks are screaming themselves blue by claiming that the defenders of the opposing teams are not giving Howard enough place and room to come down after making a jump shot. Mavericks say that that the players are not doing it intentional but it is still illegal.
According to coach Avery Johnson, players from opposing team should give the player making a jump shot enough space to come down and he questioned the rule on it. He further added that he does not think that the players are doing it intentional though there have been situations when a player has tried to run under another player intentionally. Avery said that the league should keep check of such incidents.
Howard said that he has been unhappy about the number of times he has ended up landing on the defender’s feet. He said that this has happened to him five times already this season and though his ankle is sore, he would continue playing. |