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Monday, July 1
 
Father's comments 'total shock' Donn Nelson

ESPN.com news services

Don Nelson and owner Mark Cuban want Donn Nelson to be the next coach of the Dallas Mavericks.

But Donn doesn't want the post at the expense of his father's career.

Donn Nelson said he doesn't want the head coaching vacancy if it costs Don his head coaching job, according to a report in The Dallas Morning News on Monday.

Nelson told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Friday that he would gladly step down as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks to keep Donn, an assistant coach, in town. Donn interviewed for the Denver Nuggets' coaching vacancy on Friday.

"That totally shocked me," Donn Nelson told the News of the reports of his father's comments. "That's a complete disservice to my father, and it's not in the best interests of the Mavericks for that to happen.

"I'd rather fall on my sword than have my dad retire early."

Donn Nelson interviewed with Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe and assistant GMs David Fredman and Jeff Weltman on Friday about their coaching vacancy.

"Nellie's not thinking about his best interests, and Mark Cuban is not thinking about his in letting me talk to (Nuggets GM) Kiki," Donnie told The News. "It makes my decision extremely difficult.

"You don't just leave a Utopia like that."




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