After all they have beaten the Mavs 6 out of the last 7 games they've met. And how many of those games were played in the post-season? None. While the Pacers finished in 9th, just outside of the playoffs, I would still forecast their future as brighter than the GSW. I will take the front office of Donny Walsh over Chris Mullin any day of the week, and twice on Sunday. This is the same GM who overpaid Dunleavy and Murphy only to get back 2 head-cases in Jackson and Harrington in return. Enjoy the first round, unless Mullin gets creative this off-season, the GSW won't even be sniffing it for awhile.
Nellie has done a great job this year I wouldn't call it a *great* job, but he's done well. The Murphy/Dunleavy trade for Harrington and Jackson played right into his hands. He's done this year what he's done since he started out some 30 years ago at Milwaukee and every stop he's had since before I was born. Baron and Rich and Harrington play right into his hand. I do question his heart as a coach given the circumstances he left Dallas. I know he had some beef with Cuban, and he even had Del Harris approach Mark regarding (the inevitable) transistion of retiring v. firing and letting Avery take the reigns. I thought he'd be content with retiring in Hawaii with a giant bowl of Maui-Wowie. Turns out not so much. That said, this is a very sexy first round series. Nellie comes back to a franchise that he (and his son, who is still the Mavs GM) helped rebuild from the absolute worst franchise of the 90's to a contender. This (along with the Lakers/Suns -- Kobe v. Raja) is going to be a fun series. I'll be at game two. I also have a ticket to game 7. Tacos to tugrugs I won't use it.
That said, this is a very sexy first round series. Nellie comes back to a franchise that he (and his son, who is still the Mavs GM) helped rebuild from the absolute worst franchise of the 90's to a contender. I'd give Donnie a bit more credit than Don on that account. Don't get me wrong, Nellie is a hell of a coach, but Donnie not only helped turn the franchise around, he's really beat the bushes to find talent to keep the Mavs contending.
