From Deseret News archives:
Dallas gives NBA coach Nelson extension
Nelson already was under contract as general manager through 2005-06. Now he'll keep both jobs that long, continuing a double duty he began in the 1997-98 season.
"The bottom line was I wanted to remain the coach of the Mavericks," Nelson said. "I believe I am the right person for the job and look forward to building on our recent successes."
Nelson's rehiring has been expected for weeks. It wasn't as obvious months ago.
Nelson asked for an extension early this past season when Dallas held the best record in the NBA. Cuban said he wanted to wait until after the playoffs.
The Mavericks went on to win a franchise-record 60 games, then reached the Western Conference finals for only the second time in team history. They lost in six games to the San Antonio Spurs, the eventual NBA champions.
The day after Dallas was eliminated, Cuban said he was ready to welcome Nelson back as coach. Nelson, though, said he wanted to think about it. He went to his offseason home in Hawaii for several weeks. When he returned, his lawyers were already perusing the new offer.
"When I settled back and respected his decision to wait, I chilled out and basically did my job and tried not to let it affect me. But I put more pressure on myself than I needed to at different times of the year."
The 63-year-old Nelson is the third-winningest coach in NBA history, having gone 1,096-828 in 25 seasons with Dallas, Milwaukee, Golden State and the New York Knicks. He's never coached a team to the finals.
The Mavericks are 245-199 since he fired Jim Cleamons and took over himself, months after being hired as GM. Michael Finley is the only player he inherited that's still on the roster. A renown wheeler-dealer, Nelson's team last season did not feature a single player drafted by the organization.
After Nelson's coaching and GM contracts lapse, he has a deal to be a consultant for the next five seasons, keeping him on the payroll through 2011.
Comments
- Shooting leads Jazz past Blazers 9:40 p.m.
- Woods to be interviewed today 9:39 p.m.
- Marriage definitions vary widely 9:38 p.m.
- Utahns back anti-bias laws 9:38 p.m.
- Legal battles about marriage 9:38 p.m.
- Definitions of marriage terms 9:38 p.m.
- Weir to Hall of Fame 9:37 p.m.
- Cougars honor 1984 champs 9:36 p.m.
- The AP top 25 fared 9:29 p.m.
- Aggies hold on, win wild one 9:15 p.m.
- Cave to be sealed with body inside
- Predicting the unpredictable: BYU wins
- Vegas, Poinsettia bowls or bust
- Glover gives Utes last-second upset
- BYU football: 5 keys to victory
- Cougars turn back Wildcats'
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
- Running game key to BYU offense
- Woods, wife unavailable for interview
- Idaho woman dies after fall
- Cougars beat Utes, 26-23
284 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
134 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
115 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
114 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
113 - Letters: Trump card for believers
99 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
88 - Hall's legacy measured today
75 - Hate crimes against gays rose 11%
74
It's finally time for the game that everyone has been waiting for all...
Its finally here, the big game. No matter what the circumstances are, it...
Two ranked teams, from one of the smallest states, the State of Utah should...
Have fun a the Poinsetta Bowl! If they want you after the spanking today....
Those that leave a good ball player come back a good ball player! Obviously...
To BeeReasonable: If you spent millions defending yourself then millions...
What a defensive slug fest!! I was a little disapointed with the offensive...
The Ute fans rushed the field when the best BYU last year. Goes to show, it...
"The other BYU greats (Carter, Shiede, Nielsen, Wilson, McMahon, Bosco,...
Great win team! Boozer your the man, and rest of the team awesome. Love when...
Say what you want, Talk SMACK if you want, condemn Hall if you want, cry...
I have to say as a avid BYU supporter Max's career has been mediocre and...
You can be the first to comment on this story.