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#1MavsFan · 09-12-2002, 10:43 PM

3 Plan B's
Mavs Plot For Pursuit Of Power Forward

By Mike Fisher -- DallasBasketball.com
The Mavs insist they haven't placed all their eggs in the Rashard Lewis basket, and to prove it, are willing to offer thumbnail sketches of some of the alternative baskets -- including Popeye Jones, Walt Williams and Lee Nailon.

"We have different scenarios,'' Mavs boss Donnie Nelson tells DallasBasketball.com. "for different occasions.''
Nelson says the club's "No. 1 scenario'' is to first handle its own. That means re-signing Eduardo Najera.
“Getting our own guys done is No. 1,’’ Nelson says. “And we’re moving in a good direction on Eddie. With Rashard, we’d be tickled pink if something works out. Again, we feel we’re in a good position there.’’
Hey, Donnie, have you seen the rumors on DallasBasketball.com’s Message Boards about Rashard finding a Dallas realtor?
“That would be fantastic,’’ Nelson says, “if that were the case.’’
Adds Mavs owner Mark Cuban: “There’s nothing going on there, as far as we know.’’
Nelson says the Mavs have “scenarios 1 through 10 at each position.’’ But one role – that of a power forward type who can be a defensive rebounding presence while not clogging things up at the offensive end – seems to be a priority irrespective of the pursuit of Lewis.
And that role could be ticketed for somebody like Jones, Williams or Nailon.

POPEYE JONES
“It’s no secret we’re interested in him for his defensive rebounding and the fact he’s a fabulous person,’’ Nelson says. “He’s been with the Mavs before, he’s plugged into the community, he’s a fan favorite inside and outside the organization. He’s a chemistry guy, but more important, he’s a candidate to help us out in the area where we need some help.’’ But wouldn’t Popeye represent a change in philosophy, a concession that “The Greatest O On Earth’’ concept is flawed? “Not at all,’’ Nelson says. “Popeye is a perfect Nellie player. He’s skilled, he can put the ball on the floor, he’s an excellent passer, and he can hit the 17-foot jumper – extending his range is something he’s worked on every year – well enough to keep you honest.
“Popeye could be in the Danny Manning mold for us, except that he is truly a dominant defensive rebounder, so goof that he’d really address some issues for us.’’
While other NBA teams are also in pursuit of Popeye, he’s obviously a prime Mavs candidate, a fact illustrated by Nelson’s timetable.
We should know more within a week,’’ Nelson says of Jones’ future.
LEE NAILON

“We had interest in Lee in his draft, and being that he’s from TCU, we've gotten to know him. He’s gone through some hard knocks in this league and he’s put himself in good position as far as free agency is concerned.’’
WALT WILLIAMS
"Some people have him as (a player who can play all five positions), but we do not see him as much of a point guard or a center,’’ Nelson says. “But he can play a lot of 2 and 3 and some 4. He’s a fine 3-point shooter. … We’d need some things to play themselves out before we make a move.’’
Nelson, maybe not accidentally, does not include re-signing Wang Zhizhi as part of a primary scenario until prompted.
"We've got a number of teams that have interest,'' Donnie says. "I don't want to speculate as to what teams have the upper hand. And we’ll still look at the possibility of him remaining with us. We won't do anything unless we're satistfied what we'd get in return, or keeping him. But regardless, keep him or sign-and-trade, we have to feel comfortable with our end of the bargain.''
And he dismisses the chances of stealing Michael Olowokandi from the Clippers.
"We're keeping our 4.5 open for Rashard, so we’re not willing to go down that road,’’ he says.
But to Nelson, that doesn’t mean all the eggs are in the Rashard Lewis Basket to the detriment of pursing other free agents.
“We don’t look at it that way,’’ Nelson says. “The reason Rashard makes so much sense to this team is that he’s a long-term fit, a guy who can grow with Dirk and Mike and Steve and the rest of our young group. We don't want to do something just to burn up the 4.5 on some old vet who is going to be gone in a couple years.''

09-12-2002, 10:43 PM	#1
#1MavsFan Golden Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,567	3 Plan B's Mavs Plot For Pursuit Of Power Forward By Mike Fisher -- DallasBasketball.com The Mavs insist they haven't placed all their eggs in the Rashard Lewis basket, and to prove it, are willing to offer thumbnail sketches of some of the alternative baskets -- including Popeye Jones, Walt Williams and Lee Nailon. "We have different scenarios,'' Mavs boss Donnie Nelson tells DallasBasketball.com. "for different occasions.'' Nelson says the club's "No. 1 scenario'' is to first handle its own. That means re-signing Eduardo Najera. “Getting our own guys done is No. 1,’’ Nelson says. “And we’re moving in a good direction on Eddie. With Rashard, we’d be tickled pink if something works out. Again, we feel we’re in a good position there.’’ Hey, Donnie, have you seen the rumors on DallasBasketball.com’s Message Boards about Rashard finding a Dallas realtor? “That would be fantastic,’’ Nelson says, “if that were the case.’’ Adds Mavs owner Mark Cuban: “There’s nothing going on there, as far as we know.’’ Nelson says the Mavs have “scenarios 1 through 10 at each position.’’ But one role – that of a power forward type who can be a defensive rebounding presence while not clogging things up at the offensive end – seems to be a priority irrespective of the pursuit of Lewis. And that role could be ticketed for somebody like Jones, Williams or Nailon. POPEYE JONES “It’s no secret we’re interested in him for his defensive rebounding and the fact he’s a fabulous person,’’ Nelson says. “He’s been with the Mavs before, he’s plugged into the community, he’s a fan favorite inside and outside the organization. He’s a chemistry guy, but more important, he’s a candidate to help us out in the area where we need some help.’’ But wouldn’t Popeye represent a change in philosophy, a concession that “The Greatest O On Earth’’ concept is flawed? “Not at all,’’ Nelson says. “Popeye is a perfect Nellie player. He’s skilled, he can put the ball on the floor, he’s an excellent passer, and he can hit the 17-foot jumper – extending his range is something he’s worked on every year – well enough to keep you honest. “Popeye could be in the Danny Manning mold for us, except that he is truly a dominant defensive rebounder, so goof that he’d really address some issues for us.’’ While other NBA teams are also in pursuit of Popeye, he’s obviously a prime Mavs candidate, a fact illustrated by Nelson’s timetable. We should know more within a week,’’ Nelson says of Jones’ future. LEE NAILON “We had interest in Lee in his draft, and being that he’s from TCU, we've gotten to know him. He’s gone through some hard knocks in this league and he’s put himself in good position as far as free agency is concerned.’’ WALT WILLIAMS "Some people have him as (a player who can play all five positions), but we do not see him as much of a point guard or a center,’’ Nelson says. “But he can play a lot of 2 and 3 and some 4. He’s a fine 3-point shooter. … We’d need some things to play themselves out before we make a move.’’ Nelson, maybe not accidentally, does not include re-signing Wang Zhizhi as part of a primary scenario until prompted. "We've got a number of teams that have interest,'' Donnie says. "I don't want to speculate as to what teams have the upper hand. And we’ll still look at the possibility of him remaining with us. We won't do anything unless we're satistfied what we'd get in return, or keeping him. But regardless, keep him or sign-and-trade, we have to feel comfortable with our end of the bargain.'' And he dismisses the chances of stealing Michael Olowokandi from the Clippers. "We're keeping our 4.5 open for Rashard, so we’re not willing to go down that road,’’ he says. But to Nelson, that doesn’t mean all the eggs are in the Rashard Lewis Basket to the detriment of pursing other free agents. “We don’t look at it that way,’’ Nelson says. “The reason Rashard makes so much sense to this team is that he’s a long-term fit, a guy who can grow with Dirk and Mike and Steve and the rest of our young group. We don't want to do something just to burn up the 4.5 on some old vet who is going to be gone in a couple years.''