<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Tanking is a sensitive term in the NBA these days. Especially if you're say, Danny Ainge, and the league has already fined you $30,000 for excessive elbow-rubbing with Kevin Durant's extended family. Tanking is not what I'm suggesting. Not exactly. Not in the lottery sense, anyway. But, really, would it hurt if the Mavericks lost to Golden State tonight? Would it be so bad if it helped guarantee a Mavs-Warriors matchup in the first round of the playoffs? Would it offend sensibilities if it allowed us to write about Don Nelson and his former team? The wily old coach and his prot?g?, Avery Johnson? Nellie vs. Cuban? Nothing against the Clippers, the Mavs' other first-round prospects. Elton Brand is a fine player. Corey Maggette, too. Maybe if brassy Sam Cassell were completely healthy, a matchup with the Clips might be more appealing. But Mike Dunleavy? The guy doesn't look like he's having much fun coaching the Clippers as it is. Nellie? Here's what he told the media Sunday after the Warriors took control of their playoff destiny and reporters asked him how he'd prepare for his old team: "I'll smoke a cigar, drink scotch and form my game plan," he said. "The more scotch I drink, the better the game plan gets." Think how much fun the first round could be. If the Mavs draw the Clippers, what do we talk about? Matchups? Strategy? They get the Warriors, and it's not basketball. It's theater. </div> Source: Dallas News
