Nellies Comments - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

OzMavs · 02-20-2002, 04:35 AM

“I think we’re playing way over our heads,’’ coach Don Nelson said in a pregame conversation with our Norm Hitzges. “I just don’t think we should be talked about with these other teams. They’re better than we are.’’
Is that really Nellie’s evaluation? Or is he poor-mouthing this awfully good club – Wednesday’s sluggish 114-103 loss at Portland notwithstanding -- keeping expectations (and his own personal hyperbole machine) in check?
“Maybe I’m wrong,’’ Nelson says. “My team keeps finding ways to win, keeps surprising me. We are where we are.’’

Don Nelson, speaking on DallasBasketball.com 14/02/2002

I was really surprised to read these comments. Given, the interview was before the Blazers game, and published in the context of that loss, but I really am struggling with the thinking behind these comments.

I can see that perhaps Don Nelson feels that the the Mavs are over-hyped. Is this the way of toning down the exposure on the Mavs? Are these comments saying "guys, we've got nothing, show me more down the stretch"

Nelson seems to be unneccessarily harsh. I think it is refreshing to see a coach be frank about the outlook of his team, but after the results against Portland and then Minnesota, maybe these comments have been taken to heart by the players rather than the media, which I am sure was Nelson's intended target.

I am aware of the Mavs plight in the late 90's, although I was not around to experience that, has some of this carried through to an inferiority complex today? I mean, there is consant talk from Mavs fans, that the current team is not good enough. Talk of trading Finley or is Dirk intimidated by KG, or whoever. From where I see it, the playoffs for the second year in a row would be beyond the dreams of most Mavs fans in the late 90's.

Does the coaching staff feel that Mavs fans will deal with non-achieving (late nineties) rather than potential disappointment (if we bow out any earlier than the 2nd round of the playoffs)?

I would love to know how these comments sit you guys.