NBA will speak to Nelson about his contact with Warriors' Johnson

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) The NBA will speak to Dallas coach Don Nelson, who made contact with Golden State guard Avery Johnson via e-mail and offered him a position on the Mavericks' coaching staff starting this postseason.

``We're going to speak to coach Nelson and tell him that those types of actions aren't appropriate,'' NBA spokesman Tim Frank told The Associated Press on Monday night. ``I don't think the intent here was to cause a problem, but it's not allowed in our rules to have contact with players on other teams.''

It was unclear whether Nelson would face disciplinary action by the league or only receive a warning.

Before Dallas played in Sacramento on Thursday night, Nelson said he had e-mailed Johnson _ his former player with Golden State and Dallas _ and offered him a coaching job.

``He's got a standing offer from me to join my staff at any time,'' Nelson said. ``I was hoping he would join us for the playoffs if they don't make it and be a part of our organization again. I love working with the guy. I think he will be a good head coach.''

Johnson, in his 16th NBA season, has said he plans to go into coaching soon, but hasn't given a timeline.

When asked about Nelson's offer Monday before the Warriors played San Antonio, Johnson said: ``I heard about that. No comment.''

Warriors coach Eric Musselman also avoided the subject.

``I just worry about the 12 guys in uniform,'' he said. ``That's all I'll comment on. I just worry about him with the Golden State Warriors.''

The Warriors contacted the league to make them aware of the issue.

Via Associated Press

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Golden State rookie Pietrus apologizes to team

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Golden State rookie Mickael Pietrus apologized Monday for criticizing his teammates and saying he wants out of his contract with the Warriors.

``If that hurt some people, I just want to excuse myself and I would enjoy if I would stay here,'' Pietrus said before the Warriors played San Antonio. ``At least I got a chance to play in the NBA. I had a chance to get drafted by the Warriors. Sometimes some players get upset by the way they lost. That was my case and I'm very sorry about that.''

The 22-year-old Pietrus was Golden State's top pick in last year's NBA draft, getting drafted with the 11th overall selection. He signed a 3-year contract.

In an interview with the French sports newspaper L? Equipe, Pietrus, a Frenchman, said: ``It would not displease me to get out of here. The guys on my team have not understood that basketball is a team sport.''

He also said that he defends ``like a dog,'' only to see teammates ``chewing the kebabs.''

His comments came following the Warriors' 99-74 loss at San Antonio on Friday night.

Pietrus was in the starting lineup against the Spurs on Monday night because ``he did a good job against (Tony) Parker last time,'' coach Eric Musselman said.

The 6-foot-6, 215-pound Pietrus is averaging 2.6 points and 1.4 rebounds in 8.9 minutes per game. Monday marked his fifth start _ all of which have been this month.

Via Associated Press

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Nelson asks Avery Johnson to join Mavericks' staff

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) Dallas coach Don Nelson sent an e-mail to Golden State guard Avery Johnson on Thursday offering him a spot on the Mavericks' coaching staff beginning this postseason.

Nelson spoke of the e-mail when asked by The Associated Press how often he's in contact with Johnson, who played for Nelson during his first stint with the Warriors and also in Dallas.

Johnson has said he plans to go into coaching soon. He could not be reached immediately for comment.

``He's got a standing offer from me to join my staff at any time,'' Nelson said before Dallas played the Sacramento Kings. ``I was hoping he would join us for the playoffs if they don't make it and be a part of our organization again. I love working with the guy. I think he will be a good head coach.''

The 5-foot-11 Johnson, who is in his 16th NBA season, seldom plays for the Warriors. Johnson turns 39 later this month and has said he will retire sooner than later _ but hasn't given a definite timeline.

``I'm just keeping everything open and enjoying today,'' he recently told the AP. ``I don't really want to be interested in timelines, five years from now, two years, three years from now. Today is the only thing that you have.''

As a player, Johnson averaged double figures in scoring in five straight seasons, starting in 1993-94 with Golden State, which hasn't been back to the playoffs in the nine years since. His best season came the following year in San Antonio, where he averaged 13.4 points and 8.2 assists.

Johnson returned to the Warriors last August in a nine-player trade that also brought Nick Van Exel to Oakland and sent forward Antawn Jamison to Dallas. Johnson is a calming influence on Van Exel, known for his occasional outbursts.

Last May, Johnson delivered a motivational speech to the Mavericks before they beat the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 7 of their first-round playoff series. The word he used most was ``will,'' underlining it four times on a message board.

``I definitely think Avery can help us out,'' Jamison said. ``I've heard a couple stories how he ran a couple practices. He knows the game well. He knows the Xs and Os. He knows how to motivate people. If we have an opportunity to add a guy like that, it's a plus. The guys speak very highly of him.''

Via Associated Press

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