Abdul-Wahad the key?

[MavsFanFinley]

Abdul-Wahad was Mavs' 4th piece, but he puts defense 1st
02/28/2002

By JODIE VALADE / The Dallas Morning News

Understandably, the focus has been on the other new guys. Nick Van Exel and Raef LaFrentz were the headliners of the Mavericks' trade with Denver. Avery Johnson has been a vocal supplemental piece.

Tariq Abdul-Wahad has been relatively ignored.

But the fourth player of the four newcomers acquired by the Mavericks in last week's trade has received some of the highest praise a week after the deal was completed.

"He could be the key to the whole trade," Mavericks coach Don Nelson said. "He's a defensive kind of guy, a guy who can run the floor. He's looked very good. We're pretty excited about that for the future."

He's a player of the future, particularly considering his contract extends through 2007. That hefty contract worth another $33.8 million was the primary reason for his inclusion in the trade. But Nelson said he is excited about the defensive capabilities of the 6-6 guard and envisions Abdul-Wahad as a long and lanky defensive stopper.

But first, Abdul-Wahad (pronounced TAR-ik ab-dool WA-hed) is working on improving his game and strengthening the left knee he had arthroscopic surgery on in November. The knee has been bothersome all season, limiting him to "good days and bad days."

Injury and illness have prevented Abdul-Wahad from playing more than 61 games of the 82-game season in his five-year career.