Dallas coach Don Nelson might not approve if an opponent sticks his head in during a pregame or halftime strategy session. Other than then, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is quite willing to let visitors see his team's sparkling new locker room.

It's no wonder the NBA's billionaire boy is so proud. At the first-year American Airlines Center, Cuban has created the Versailles of locker rooms, although with a few less mirrors.

``Heck yeah,'' said Cuban, when asked if he wants opponents to see the facilities. ``I want them to come in and work out.''

Cuban wants to get the word out to prospective free agents that they should consider signing with the Mavericks. One look at the facilities, and it wouldn't be surprising if there is a line outside next summer of players holding ballpoint pens.

The American Airlines Center is the NBA's newest arena. The 19,200-seat facility has all the usual luxury suites one would expect. With five concourses, it is a massive facility, so it's not surprising it cost a staggering $430 million to build.

Construction already was under way when Cuban bought the Mavericks in January 2000, so he doesn't take credit for much of the arena. But he does take credit for the grandiose locker rooms.

``You've got to take care of your athletes and protect your investment,'' Cuban said. ``It always amazes me that a team will have a $50 million payroll for players and then try to nickel and dime them.''

So where should we start our tour of this NBA Taj Mahal? How about in the main section of the locker room, where players dress? Each wood-grain locker comes equipped with a flat-screen, 13-inch television, a stereo, a DVD player, a CD player and a PlayStation.

``We want players to be able to prepare individually for games,'' Cuban said. ``No more somebody yelling, `Turn that (music) off.' ''

There are plenty of other ways players can prepare. There is a sauna and a steam room. There is a weight room with every type of machine known to man, and some that nobody really knows much about. There is an elaborate practice court.

There is a lavish training room with tables that look like fine china should be sitting on them. There are hot and cold whirlpools. There is a special underwater tank in which injured players can work out while putting less stress on their bodies.

``This would be a perfect place for Zydrunas (Ilgauskas, the often-injured Cavaliers center) to get back into shape,'' one Mavericks official said.

You hear that, Zydrunas? The Mavericks already have plans for you when you become a free agent in 2005.

In the meantime, the Mavericks treat run-of-the-mill centers as if they're a guest being pampered at a luxurious spa.

``This place is awesome,'' said Evan Eschmeyer, who signed with the Mavericks after two seasons with New Jersey. ``It's incredible. I don't know what else as a player you would want. (Cuban) has come in and given us what we want. What he wants in return is our best effort every night. Everything is first-class. Everything from the towels on up.''

Interesting that Eschmeyer mentioned towels. It even is cited in the team's media guide that the Mavericks have the ``best in towels.'' Cuban is very proud of his towels, which he says cost ``four bucks more'' apiece than what most NBA teams spend.

With all the extra money Cuban has spent on the arena, you'd think he would have gotten something extra for himself. Indeed he has. Cuban had a special bunker built underneath the stands for time spent before games and during halftime.

The bunker, about as big as good-sized living room, has couches with smooth black leather upholstery. It has a giant-screen television surrounded by a half-dozen medium-sized TVs. It has a large desk with a computer, where Cuban spends time answering the many e-mails that he receives.

Maybe in future years a big-time free agent will demand his own bunker before signing with the Mavericks. Cuban just might be able to arrange that.

Trivia time

Other than Gund Arena, where the Cavs are 169-117 in eight seasons, the Cavs have a winning record in only one current NBA arena. Name it.

Short jumpers

There was sadness around the NBA last week after Toronto assistant Stan Albeck, the second head coach in Cavs history, suffered a stroke. Albeck has regained strength in his right side, where he suffered some paralysis, but he still is having trouble speaking. Albeck, 70, is a true NBA lifer. He hasn't been a head coach since 1985-86, but he has stayed on as a scout and assistant because of his great love of the game. ``He's at home with basketball,'' said Austin Carr, who played for the Cavs during Albeck's only season with the team in 1979-80. ``He was born to be a basketball coach.'' Carr said he was ``shocked'' to hear of Albeck's stroke because he ``always looked to be in good health.'' Albeck's stint with the Cavs hardly was glorious, as they went 37-45. Albeck then bolted to San Antonio, where he had the best of his seven seasons as an NBA head coach, winning three division titles in three years.

Since Darryl Dawkins and Bill Willoughby came out in 1975, there have been 18 players drafted by the NBA directly out of high school, 14 in the first round. Excluding Leon Smith, a 1999 draftee who never played in the NBA, the fewest games any of the first-rounders has played as a rookie was 21 by Al Harrington with Indiana in 1998-99. (That was during a 50-game lockout season. For an 82-game season, the low was Jonathan Bender's 24 games with the Pacers in 1999-2000). Harrington, at 2.1, also has the lowest scoring average. But Cavs rookie center DeSagana Diop, who has a microscopic average of 0.5 while having appeared in just four of his team's first 29 games, could top (or is that bottom?) both of those lows.

Heading into last night's game at Chicago, the Cavs were 6-6 since Ilgauskas returned from his latest foot injury. During the past six seasons, the Cavs are 70-53 when Ilgauskas plays. When he doesn't, they're 115-169. But if Ilgauskas, who is being restricted to 24 minutes per game, were able to play more, the Cavs might have a slightly better record since his latest return. When Ilgauskas has been on the floor this season, the Cavs have outscored foes 450-435. When he has not in the game, the Cavs have been outscored 703-699.