01-05-2022, 03:44 PM
(01-05-2022, 03:13 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: I usually agree with you, but in this case we're remembering different things. Not sure I'm right, 'cause it's you, but...
...I think Nash did dominate the ball, right up until he walked. I think he was the key to whole team in Nellie's mind, and I think letting Nash walk was the main reason Nellie gave up and quit. I'm not sure he ever gets fired if Nash is re-signed, and I think Nash would've continued to be featured here. Obviously, I can't say confidently that he would've reached the level he did in PHX, but I think he would've had more than enough opportunity to continue his path toward superstardom.
If anything, I think Nash staying might've hampered Dirk's growth in some ways, but I don't think it would've worked the other way around.
If we are going in that direction I kinda agree. Nash and Dirk both had a down season in 03/04. Mostly because the roster construction was completly off. Adding Walker and Jamison reduced the amount of touches for both and nuked an already mediocre defense. Maybe it would have been enough to move on from the latter two and build around Nash and Dirk. Nash&Dirk instead of Terry&Dirk with better defenders around them.
Nellie topic is even more interesting. I think the Mavs never make the defensive improvements that were needed to reach the next level in the following seasons if he stays. Just wasn´t his mentality.