The Mavericks’ performance this season wasn’t impressive; they were at the bottom of the league.
Nelson recruited players like Mike Finley, Eddie Jones, Jim Jackson, Jamal Mashburn, all of whom were talented guards and forwards.
After an unsuccessful coaching career with the Bucks, Lakers, and Warriors, he came to the Mavericks seeking change by pursuing an aggressive offense.
As both coach and manager, he focused on collecting tall, high-scoring swingmen, hoping to build a powerful offensive machine.
However, in the late ’90s NBA environment, a lineup without defense couldn’t win. Despite their explosive offense and impressive stats, the Mavericks couldn’t achieve good results.
This season, Nelson faced a lot of criticism, but he stuck to his team-building philosophy, believing this was just the beginning and there was no need to rush.
"The Portland Trail Blazers are the best example, they’re a powerful offensive team; that’s the ultimate form of basketball."
After repeated failures, Nelson was interviewed by reporters about his offensive basketball style and used the Trail Blazers as an example.
"But... the Trail Blazers have Ah Gan."
"I know the Trail Blazers have Ah Gan! Isn’t it just that we’re missing an Ah Gan?"
Speaking of this, Nelson seemed somewhat exasperated.
The regret of the 1984 draft still pangs faintly.
Back then, Nelson once coached the All-Star Team for an Olympic tryout, serving as sparring partners for the U.S. Olympic Team.
Gan Guoyang was on the All-Star Team then, giving Nelson the pleasure of coaching an ideal player.
Later, at the draft, Nelson tried everything to trade for the 2nd pick from Stu-Inman.
Unfortunately, Inman wasn’t foolish; no matter what Nelson offered, he wouldn’t trade, so Nelson could only watch as Ah Gan established a dynasty in Portland.
Don Nelson told himself more than once that if he had gotten Ah Gan back then, the ’80s would have belonged to the Bucks.
Even 14 years later, Don Nelson still couldn’t forget, so much that he still looked regretful during interviews.
With no hope of making the playoffs this season, Nelson and management were already discussing that they must draft a big man in the 1998 draft.
"Not to defend, but to attack, attack is a must."
Nelson continually emphasized to the scouts that he wanted to continue the team’s offensive strategy, not pursue defense.
In fact, Nelson already had an ideal candidate in mind, the young German Dirk Nowitzki, who performed impressively at the "Apollo Basketball Summit" held by Avia a week ago.
This young German guy scored 33 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, leading the World All-Star Team to an upset victory over the U.S. All-Star Team.
Americans weren’t familiar with this German lad, and the DJ always called him "Nowitzki" when announcing his name.
Actually, a year ago at the Avia Apollo Youth Camp, this young German had already made a name for himself, leaving a deep impression on NBA stars like Charles Barkley and Scottie Pippen.
After the camp, Charles Barkley said if Nowitzki wanted to enter the NBA, he could just come to find him, and Barkley would surely help.
In reality, with Nowitzki’s talent, he didn’t need Barkley’s help; wise teams had already started planning to acquire this German talent.
Don Nelson was among them, seeing the enormous offensive potential in Nowitzki, and although he would never be as outstanding as Ah Gan defensively, having 70% of Ah Gan’s offensive potential still made him exceptionally gifted.
Nelson hoped this young player could somewhat make up for the regret from 14 years ago.
On the court, Nelson came up with a strategy to counter the Trail Blazers’ fierce offense.
The idea was simple: counterattack.
Nelson removed all restrictions from the players, demanding that if the Trail Blazers were fast, they had to be faster.
The Trail Blazers executed all sorts of passing, moving, and backdoor plays in a set offense, but the Mavericks kept it simple; Nelson demanded immediate assaults.
"You must make a decision within 8 seconds, don’t overthink, don’t hesitate, throw the ball towards the basket, that’s your job."
Nelson required players to make an offensive decision within 8 seconds; many teams take 6 or 7 seconds to pass half-court, and making a decision by 8 seconds?
The Mavericks’ players didn’t care; they couldn’t win anyway, so they went all in. Who knows, maybe there’s a chance to win?
Unexpectedly, the Mavericks really played with an ultra-high offensive efficiency in this game.
Finley, Mashburn, and Jackson attacked right after crossing half-court, disrupting the Trail Blazers’ rhythm.
"Unorthodox punches beat experts," as the saying goes; the Mavericks led 71-63 at halftime, 8 points ahead of the Trail Blazers.
The 71 points also set the Mavericks’ halftime scoring record for the season, as well as the Trail Blazers’ halftime point concession record.
The Trail Blazers, unsettled in the third quarter, regained their composure, but Bird didn’t change strategies and shifted to set or slow-paced play to match the Mavericks’ tempo.
"If they want to attack with us, we’ll attack all the way."
The Trail Blazers weren’t so obsessed with winning as they had won enough; the key was to play satisfyingly and beautifully.
Thus, in the second half, both sides engaged in an even crazier offensive battle than the first half.
Bird expanded the rotation, using a 12-man rotation, constantly adjusting players to retaliate against the Mavericks.
During halftime, Nelson thought the Blazers would change strategy to grind out a slow-paced game with the Mavericks.
He didn’t expect Bird to demonstrate his unique thinking and extraordinary courage, going all out to attack the Mavericks.
As a result, they delivered a rarely seen super offensive showdown this season, with scores skyrocketing.
The Trail Blazers and Mavericks played similarly; you attack in 8 seconds, and I’ll launch an attack in 7 seconds, like a hot potato, hurling it as soon as they crossed half-court.
In this freewheeling offensive conflict, the Mavericks gradually fell behind because their hard power wasn’t as strong.
Moreover, after the Trail Blazers expanded their rotation, their players ran wildly, causing the Mavericks’ main players to fall behind and outpace.
By the fourth quarter, the Mavericks’ players were exhausted and started missing shots frequently.
The Trail Blazers, with a sufficient rotation and abundant stamina, delivered a 12-0 scoring run in the final stages, widening the gap completely.
Ultimately, the Trail Blazers won 148-135, a 13-point advantage, using their exceptionally high scoring to defeat the Dallas Mavericks.
They scored an astounding 85 points in the second half.
When the game ended, Nelson shook hands and hugged Gan Guoyang.
Gan Guoyang scored 37 points in this game, and his teammates also scored high, everyone truly enjoyed the game.
Nelson held Gan Guoyang’s hand and said, "Sonny, it would be great if you played in Dallas."
Gan Guoyang chuckled, "It’s okay, soon you’ll have my substitute!"
Nelson was stunned, wondering who this guy was referring to? That German lad?
No way, the Mavericks targeting Dirk Nowitzki was a pretty secret thing, an internal secret.
How did this guy know? Just as he wanted to ask clearly, Gan Guoyang mumbled something and headed back to the locker room.
Nelson grew anxious, remembering the 1996 draft when the Trail Blazers traded away their draft rights for Kobe, wondering if the Portland folks were eyeing Dirk again?
Ah Gan was well-known for his insider knowledge and extensive connections.
Up until the 1998 draft, Nelson’s heart remained heavy, never truly at ease.