It's become apparent that owner Mark Cuban is going to make former Mavericks' coach Don Nelson wait as long as possible to get the $7.1 million he's owed in back pay.

Whether it's out of spite or because Cuban can earn money off the amount that an arbitrator and court have ruled he owes Nelson, the owner plans to take the appeals process as far as he can.

This in spite of e-mails in court documents that were examined Monday that state in an e-mail from Cuban's attorney, Geoffrey Harper, to Nelson's attorney, Don Colleluori: "I think the team is making a business decision [I don't think anyone expects this to end differently than the current judgment; but apparently, it is cheaper to use the money and pay later. I'm not sure I understand it, to be candid].

Another of Nelson's attorneys, John O'Connor said the situation simply makes Cuban look petty.

"When you see this pattern of conduct, you wonder why any baseball owner would even consider associating with this guy," O'Connor said.

Cuban had no comment.

Turkey Dunk a huge success: The Mavericks on Monday hosted about 125 kids ages 7 through 18 from the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS).

Nick & Sam's provided turkey dinners with all the trimmings for the kids, who are all hearing- or eyesight-impaired. All of the Mavericks helped conduct a clinic on the practice court, complete with beepers on the rims.

Briefly: Dirk Nowitzki was named the Western Conference player of the week by the NBA after the Mavericks went 3-0 and Nowitzki averaged 27 points, 10.3 rebounds and shot .466 from the field (.500 from 3-point range). ... Josh Howard was re-evaluated by Dr. T.O. Souryal and is making progress from a sore left ankle. The injury was suffered against Charlotte last week when Gerald Wallace rolled over the ankle after Howard took a charge.