Records shed light on Nelson/Cuban feud

[LA Warrior]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4351802

There's also testimony from Nelson in which he describes being so disgusted with Cuban that he signed a contract to stay on as coach in 2003 only after friends "got me drunk."

In support of his claim, Nelson has included in his court filings an off-the-record e-mail exchange between Cuban and a reporter in which Cuban refers to Nelson as "sleazy" and having "no concept of reality or ethics."

Perhaps the most revealing document in the public record is the transcript of the arbitration hearing, which took place in June 2008.

During the hearing, Cuban and Nelson gave their versions of how their relationship unraveled, beginning with their disagreement over whether star forward Dirk Nowitzki should play against the San Antonio Spurs in the sixth game of the 2003 Western Conference finals.

Nelson withheld Nowitzki, who had suffered a knee injury earlier in the series, despite Cuban's entreaties to play him. The Mavericks lost the game and the series.

Cuban testified that he had assurances from team doctors that Nowitzki couldn't hurt the knee any worse and believed Nelson was trying to take pressure off himself by keeping the player on the bench. But Nelson testified that he had a similar injury when he was a player and worried that playing Nowitzki could have a long-term effect.

"I didn't want to jeopardize this great young player's career for a basketball game, no matter how important it seemed at the time," Nelson testified.

@ Nellie getting drunk and signing a contract.

[Subaculta]

he said she said.

(Cuban playing the feminine role in that sentence).

[Mylie10]

I like how Cuban says Nelson has "no concept of reality or ethics", and then proceeds to know better about a fantastic young player when it comes to a knee injury.

Very Nickish.

[Twinkie defense]

I like how an arbitrator rules against Cohan and Cohan just ignored the ruling. His problem is that his ego is so big, and he's so rich, that he expects everyone to just fall in line and do his bidding.

[Coxy]

They're both putzes.

[JimmyTD3]

They're both putzes.

and both have more fame, money, success, recognition, and pretty much everything else than you ever will

[Coxy]

They're both putzes.

and both have more fame, money, success, recognition, and pretty much everything else than you ever will

Thanks. I was under the impression that I was going to be a better NBA coach or NBA Franchise owner. Thanks for squashing those ridiculous goals of mine.

[Mylie10]

It's OK, they're still putzes.

I'd prefer meglomaniac Putz, over penny pinching Putz....but that's just me.

[Twinkie defense]

The problem with meglomaniac putz though (whether of the spendthrift or penny-pinching variety), is they start thinking that because they've been good businessmen, they should be making basketball decisions, too. Bobby Rowell will a billion would no doubt be another Mark Cuban.

Cuban's original sin: thinking prime Steve Nash wasn't worth $10 mil.

[Coxy]

The problem with meglomaniac putz though (whether of the spendthrift or penny-pinching variety), is they start thinking that because they've been good businessmen, they should be making basketball decisions, too. Bobby Rowell will a billion would no doubt be another Mark Cuban.

Cuban's original sin: thinking prime Steve Nash wasn't worth $10 mil.

Thinking Dumpier is morth more than Nash is worse.

[Twinkie defense]

That's the weird part of it... he spent a lot of money on crap players, but didn't want to pay two-time in his prime $10mil per? That's because he was making a basketball decision.

[St.Nick]

I like how Cuban says Nelson has "no concept of reality or ethics", and then proceeds to know better about a fantastic young player when it comes to a knee injury.

Very Nickish.

Thats true...I've always acted like I know more than billionaire owners when it comes to knee injuries.

(Are you really that much of a woman to constantly try to get back at me with these little bitchy comments just because I criticize your often nonsensical takes? Just get smarter or deal with it like a man.).

[St.Nick]

Nelson contends that he legitimately earned the money. But Cuban believes Nelson should get nothing because he breached a contract that made him a Mavericks consultant when he took the Golden State job in August 2006. Although an arbitrator ruled in Nelson's favor, Cuban has refused to pay the money, now totaling more than $7 million.

The matter is one of several legal actions currently involving Cuban, the dot.com billionaire who has become famous for his outspoken ways, courtside antics and outbursts against NBA officials.

There's deposition testimony from Cuban in which he acknowledges that he withheld consulting fees from Nelson in 2006 because he believed the former coach had "badmouthed" the team during the NBA finals and should be made to "beg" for the money.

So, Nelson was actually in the right, as determined by a judge. Cuban acknowledges that owes this money, but won't act as ordered because he wants Nellie to "beg" for it.

Is there any question who was in the wrong here? Case closed (literally).

[warriortone]

That article somehow managed to paint Nelson as a sympathetic figure. Cuban is officially the world's biggest douche with that accomplishment.

[Twinkie defense]

[Chris Cohan]

It's all clear as soon as Nick and Twink rush in and join forces on desperate Nelson defenses like this.

[FNQ]

@ Nellie getting drunk and signing a contract.

Its like a sitcom... cue the audience's 'cute sigh followed by moderate laugh track'

I like how Cuban says Nelson has "no concept of reality or ethics", and then proceeds to know better about a fantastic young player when it comes to a knee injury.

Very Nickish.

(Are you really that much of a woman to constantly try to get back at me with these little bitchy comments just because I criticize your often nonsensical takes? Just get smarter or deal with it like a man.).

Woooooow

[warriortone]

Going thru the transcripts, there is some great stuff in here. This is the first one that I think you guys would enjoy...

This is Nelson speaking:
I went back in and addressed the team, told Damp he wasn't going to start, and he was fine
with it. Hell, he didn't want to play anyway, probably. And we won the game, and the strategy worked
great.

[Sleepy51]

If this board has taught us anything, it's that watching egotistical loudmouth jackasses tearing each other apart has tremendous entertainment value.

[Sid the Squid]

Going thru the transcripts, there is some great stuff in here. This is the first one that I think you guys would enjoy...

This is Nelson speaking:
I went back in and addressed the team, told Damp he wasn't going to start, and he was fine
with it. Hell, he didn't want to play anyway, probably. And we won the game, and the strategy worked
great.

Nellie would of been awesome in the TNT studio with Ernie and Charles