Nelson through playing around
Mistakes, playing with lack of energy will lead to a quick hook
01:51 AM CST on Wednesday, December 15, 2004
By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News
Don Nelson's quick hook is at the ready, and the Mavericks know he is not shy about using it.
Jason Terry, Devin Harris and Erick Dampier all were yanked from Monday's game at Chicago after brief appearances.
The trend continued Tuesday against Golden State, when Nelson shuttled 11 players in and out as the Mavericks failed to find a groove against the Warriors.
Nelson's message: get used to being lifted if you don't perform.
The most glaring example came Monday with the rookie Harris, whom Nelson put in for Terry at the start of the second quarter. Harris had two assists in three minutes, then was quickly taken out.
"I put him in there because I was mad at JT at the time," Nelson said. "He wasn't doing what I wanted, so I gave a chance to the rookie. He passed two balls that I thought he made nice plays on. Then he did something stupid – he left his feet, and the guy [Tyson Chandler] drove around him and got a three-point play.
"I'm going to have a quicker trigger until this team starts playing the way it needs to play. It's really a team-wide thing."
Nelson has grown tired of inconsistent play from many players. They had lax efforts all over the court at Chicago, but escaped with a win. They weren't as lucky against Golden State.
"If you make a mistake, you're coming out," Terry said. "It just makes you more alert and more aware out there."
Nobody is immune: Mistakes are not confined to players.
Don Nelson said he's contributed to the inconsistent play of the team through the first 24 games. That the Mavericks came into Tuesday's game with a 15-8 record was a blessing, given what has happened.
Nelson refuses to use injuries or the new players as a reason for the erratic play. He added that he is not without culpability.
"Coaches also make mistakes," he said. "I definitely made a mistake in a game plan against Seattle that didn't work. We made adjustments at halftime and played better. But sometimes, our strategy isn't good."
Najera looks at exit strategy: He's been with Golden State only 21 games, but already it's not what Eduardo Najera expected.
The former Maverick, who remains a fan favorite judging from the rousing applause he got upon entering Tuesday's game, has seen his playing time cut to almost nothing.
Without a doubt, I expected to play more minutes," he said. "I'm trying to get into the rotation. If not, I would like to go somewhere else. This is not a team where I would like to be on the bench. I'm a little upset, not with anybody, but with the situation."
Najera said he has talked to Warriors management about the situation, but nothing has changed.
Briefly: Erick Dampier played just seven minutes Tuesday, picking up three fouls. Coach Don Nelson said the matchup with Golden State's perimeter-oriented big men was not to Dampier's strength. ... Jerry Stackhouse had 19 third-quarter points, the most in a quarter by a Maverick this season. ... Don Nelson said he plans to give Avery Johnson one more head coaching opportunity before December is finished. "I want him to prepare a whole day as a coach, not be surprised," Nelson said. Johnson took over at Minnesota, winning the game after Nelson had been ejected in the second minute.
oh yea. wazup theo
Problem with the mavericks
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