Mavs Notebook: Fin's return? Trade Talk?

[MavsFanFinley]

Notebook: Mavs missing Don Nelson because of the flu
Donnie Nelson subs for his father in loss to the Clippers

Saturday, December 20, 2003
By CHUCK CARLTON / The Dallas Morning News

The short-handed Mavericks took another hit Saturday – on the bench.

Coach Don Nelson missed a home game against the Los Angeles Clippers because of the flu.

Assistant coach Donnie Nelson, the team's president of basketball operations, subbed for his father despite battling laryngitis. He and assistant coach Del Harris talked before the game, with the decision for Donnie Nelson to serve as head coach.

"Our coaching staff has got no ego or pride," Donnie Nelson said. "It's all about getting the job done. We have a lot of guys that are competent coaches."

It was the 26th game that Don Nelson had missed in seven seasons with the Mavericks. The longest stretch came when the elder Nelson was sidelined 21 games by cancer surgery during the 2000-01 season. Donnie Nelson is 15-9 as the acting head coach after Saturday's 115-105 loss.

Finley, Bradley sidelined:

Although Michael Finley missed his fifth consecutive game with a sprained right big toe, the Mavericks were hoping he would accompany the team on this week's road trip to Portland and Sacramento.

"Good, really good," Finley said, when asked how felt.

Shawn Bradley missed his fourth game with back spasms, leaving the Mavericks smaller than usual. The 7-6 center said he suffered the injury Dec. 12 in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers and spent the next 24 hours flat on his back.

Trade talk:

With trade rumors heating up, the Mavericks' name has surfaced around the league. But nothing is imminent, president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said.

"We're aware of things and we're not afraid to make a trade," he said. "But we like the guys we have and aren't looking to pull the trigger."

Clippers gain respect:

The Mavericks aren't the only team surprised by the Los Angeles Clippers. Los Angeles had won four consecutive games before a Friday night loss in Houston.

"They're a good team," assistant coach Del Harris said. "There's just no free lunches in the West. They have a losing record because they're out here. I don't think they would have a losing record in the East."

[EricaLubarsky]

I watched the Los Angeles broadcast of the game and I knew they said he had the flu. A certain someone was full of Crap saying he was ejected.