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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.

Coxy wrote:They're both putzes.

Stringcheese wrote:

Coxy wrote:They're both putzes.

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

Twinkie defense wrote: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.

Mylie10 wrote: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.

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.

LA Warrior wrote: @ Nellie getting drunk and signing a contract.

St.Nick wrote:

Mylie10 wrote: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.).

warriortone wrote: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.