01-13-2021, 01:43 PM
I can't find the quote now but Rick Pitino did everything he could to sabotage and/or take a shot at Dallas in the early-mid '90s (and beyond).
First off while he was still at Kentucky, he was the sounding board for Jamal a lot during that time -
It came to a head when Dallas traded Kidd to Phoenix. The trigger that wasn't mentioned: going into December of 96 there were rumors of Phoenix and Dallas discussing a trade and the piece discussed seemed to be Jim Jackson. However, Kidd was not happy as the video mentioned, but then Kidd got a DUI and that was the final straw for Zach the Hack - GM Frank Zachanelli. The trade to Phoenix was then made involving Jason Kidd. the most distressing piece to this trade was that Dallas did not get any of the better Phoenix PG's: Kevin Johnson (not available) or Santa Clara rookie Steve Nash. An oversight that would eventually cost Dallas a #18 pick and a future #1 that became Shawn Marion. Instead they got Sam Cassell
Jamal wanted Jackson traded and basically gave up on Dallas when it was Jason that got traded. Memory is Rick quoted himself as telling Jamal at that point, "do whatever you need to do get out of there, not every NBA team is Dallas." Nellie never got a chance with Jamal and rather quickly got his wish with a trade to Miami for Martin Muursepp. Jackson, the source of a great deal of negativity in the locker room for years, then got shipped to NJ. He was never right after the ankle injury and Dallas would have been better suited dealing him first, but Zach the Hack was completely inept. There was an Aguirre return to the role of advisor and Keith Grant eventually left the organization over his feeling undermined.
First off while he was still at Kentucky, he was the sounding board for Jamal a lot during that time -
It came to a head when Dallas traded Kidd to Phoenix. The trigger that wasn't mentioned: going into December of 96 there were rumors of Phoenix and Dallas discussing a trade and the piece discussed seemed to be Jim Jackson. However, Kidd was not happy as the video mentioned, but then Kidd got a DUI and that was the final straw for Zach the Hack - GM Frank Zachanelli. The trade to Phoenix was then made involving Jason Kidd. the most distressing piece to this trade was that Dallas did not get any of the better Phoenix PG's: Kevin Johnson (not available) or Santa Clara rookie Steve Nash. An oversight that would eventually cost Dallas a #18 pick and a future #1 that became Shawn Marion. Instead they got Sam Cassell
Jamal wanted Jackson traded and basically gave up on Dallas when it was Jason that got traded. Memory is Rick quoted himself as telling Jamal at that point, "do whatever you need to do get out of there, not every NBA team is Dallas." Nellie never got a chance with Jamal and rather quickly got his wish with a trade to Miami for Martin Muursepp. Jackson, the source of a great deal of negativity in the locker room for years, then got shipped to NJ. He was never right after the ankle injury and Dallas would have been better suited dealing him first, but Zach the Hack was completely inept. There was an Aguirre return to the role of advisor and Keith Grant eventually left the organization over his feeling undermined.