After losing their third consecutive game to the Sonics, Dallas coach Don Nelson had some choice words for his veterans.  "We need [energy] from our veteran players, and, if they don't have it, then we have to make some hard decisions whether those players can continue to play for us, and we are at that state right now," Nelson said. "They need to make a contribution in some way, and, if not, we will have to look elsewhere for other answers on how this team is going to come together."  

In that Sonics game, vets Shawn Bradley, Tim Hardaway and Danny Manning saw little court-time and Juwan Howard was replaced by Donnell Harvey to start the second half.