Nelson has earned job security

For the sake of the NBA's entertainment value, here's hoping Don Nelson sticks around to continue coaching the Dallas Mavericks.

But before discussing that, let's look at some history.

Denver GM Kiki Vandeweghe resorted to a revisionist account of the making of the Mavericks to make a point recently.

Talking about the need to be patient when rebuilding a team, Vandeweghe referred to his time in Dallas as an assistant under Nelson.

"You look at Don Nelson's first year when he changed things around, he won 16 games," Vandeweghe told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "He didn't win many more than that the second year, so it takes a while."

It is true that Nelson won 16 games his first season in Dallas, and 19 the second season.

It isn't true, however — as Vandeweghe implies — that Nelson turned things around single-handedly. The fact is, Nelson looked like a burnout case more interested in getting the season over and retiring to Hawaii before Mark Cuban bought the team midway through the 1999-2000 season.

On the day Cuban purchased the team, Jan. 4, 2000, they lost, dropping their record to 9-22. They went 31-20 the rest of the way to finish a respectable 40-42.

Obviously, it was Cuban's infusion of money and enthusiasm and more money that was the biggest factor in turning the Mavericks around.

But it would be a mistake for Cuban — or anyone else — to think that he is the sole reason the Mavs have gotten good. The fact is Nelson is a good coach with an innovative basketball mind, and he just needed a little jump-start from Cuban to get his coaching act back together.

As it turns out, Cuban and Nelson have become a strong team, one supplying the capital and players, the other taking those players and using their strengths to maximum effect.

They've turned the Mavericks into an entertaining team to watch.

That's why it would be a shame if Nelson weren't coaching that team next season. There has been talk of just that happening, with Cuban refusing to discuss a new contract until after the season. Translation: until after he sees how the Mavs perform in the playoffs.

With any luck, that's just motivational hoohaw, an attempt by Cuban to give Nelson and his players some extra incentive.