COMING ATTRACTIONS

How much does Dallas owner Mark Cuban want to get back at his old coach, Don Nelson?

Cuban’s Mavericks opened the season at home against their rivals, the San Antonio Spurs, whom Cuban says he doesn’t like. But Cuban put off raising their Western Conference championship banner until Monday

Cuban and Nelson clashed for five seasons before Nelson left. Now, while saying how much he likes Cuban, Nelson acknowledges their battle of wills, criticizing Cuban’s decision to let Steve Nash go.

Cuban replied, “With Nellie, whatever, wherever, there’s always drama,” insisting Nelson was part of the decision-making.

Making it official, Nelson is now suing Cuban for $6 million, which Nelson deferred before Cuban bought the team in 2000.

Denying the obvious, Cuban told the Dallas Morning News, “First, it’s not a grudge match. If we put on sumo outfits at halftime, then maybe.... “

Look for them to shake hands before the game, just to show everyone is wrong, and then to mess with each other forever.

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-- Mark Heisler