Nelson and Cuban, the long-awaited reunion

Mark Cuban, the Dallas Mavericks owner, said he wanted to get past the feud angle with his former coach Don Nelson (“I’m tired of ‘Aren’t I wonderful? Isn’t he mean to me?’ So, I’ll shake his hand. No personal animosity.”) Nevertheless, with Nelson now suing Cuban for $6 million, they somehow missed each other.

The Mavericks raised the Western Conference banner they hadn’t put up in their home opener. Nelson said he was the proudest person there.

“When I started, they were the worst team in the league and when I left, they were the best team,” Nelson said. “That’s a good thing. That’s why I’m so proud of them. I hope I can do the same thing in Golden State.”

Mavericks Coach Avery Johnson, Nelson’s old assistant, was then ejected, along with Jason Terry, who took a hard foul, as the Warriors stunned the Mavericks.

“They teach hard fouls here and I hate to see that,” said Nelson. “I don’t do that, actually.”

The two teams don’t play again until March 12. Tune in to see if the Mavericks can get 200 points.

So much for

the K.G. watch

For those still on the Kevin Garnett watch, there is no Kevin Garnett watch for another season.

“It’s sad we live in a society that’s not built off loyalty and consistency,” Garnett said before the Timberwolves’ opener. “Everybody speaks from the newsstand and the newsstand seems to be, ‘That ain’t working out for him. He needs to leave.’ But if I was to go off what everybody else wants me to do, I’d probably be broke, out of the league, living under a bridge. ...

“I would love to stay -- that’s my plan.”

Still, with little more help than he had to start the season, Garnett could miss the playoffs for the second year in a row. As they say in this loyalty-challenged society, it isn’t over till it’s over.

Here and there

Phoenix Suns Coach Mike D’Antoni on the impact of referees’ “zero tolerance” on his arch-complainer, Raja Bell. “It won’t affect him. He’d get thrown out anyway. With Raja, it’s either a carjacking or nothing -- he doesn’t behave any like a little petty thief. They want to get rid of the petty stuff. He’s either a felony or nothing.” ... It turns out Michael Jordan may have attended his Bobcats’ opener, sitting with Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter in a corporate suite. No one is sure since Bobcats officials aren’t allowed to talk about Jordan.

New York,

New York (Cont.)

A corporate filing by Cablevision revealed the big secret: former coach Larry Brown settled with the Knicks for only $18 million of his guaranteed $40 million. ... Since the team writes off losses of tens of millions annually and Brown is likely to return soon -- how about in Charlotte under fellow former Tar Heel Jordan? -- it’s nothing to worry about.

Next: Fans chanted “Fire Marbury” at Brooklyn native Stephon Marbury as the Knicks lost their home opener. Trying to soothe the press, Malik Rose confided: “You guys [reporters] do what you do, the fans do what they do. It’s kind of daunting to go out there in light of all that. I’m not looking for sympathy, I’m just calling it like I see it. Certain guys who are arguably top-10 talents in this league are shaken right now and it’s just going to take a little bit of time for them to get that confidence back.” ... Bottom line: The Knicks can’t fire the press and aren’t likely to fire any fans.

Famous last words

Garnett on Andrew Bynum’s improvement: “I’ve been there. He’s gotten confidence with some of the moves and the speed of the game. He’s a really good passer, real good hands, footwork. He’s like night and day.”

*

-- Mark Heisler