Defense isn't part of Nelson's equation.(NBA)

Don Nelson is not like everyone else, and he seems to be going out of his way to prove it. Most NBA suits, when considering the construction of an offense, work in the realm of X's and O's. Nelson works in differential equations. He embraces the misfit player. A small forward with a power forward's body and a midrange jumper? Sounds good. A 7-footer who can post up and pop 3-pointers? Ah, bring him on. And now, a power forward who can't shoot 40 percent and whose secondary position is point guard? Perfect!

Early last week, Nelson and his cronies in Dallas added another marcher to the parade of positionless players accurately named the Mavericks. They dumped their ...