DALLAS - The boos have been replaced by thunderous cheers. But Mavericks coach Don Nelson always knew the time would come when fans would truly appreciate Steve Nash.

"He's got the mental and the physical package put together," Nelson said, in describing his mercurial point guard. "He's not real big, but he's a great athlete.

"When you think about the things he's able to do with his feet and his hands and how fast he is - and those are all athletic things - and then to be able to see the floor. He's just a solid player."

Early on in his Mavs career, fans weren't so sure what to make of Nash. Shortly after the 6-foot-3, 195-pounder signed a six-year, $36 million extension, his game suffered in part because he was playing with lingering injuries.

Mavs fans, who had seen management make numerous questionable personnel decisions for nearly a decade, booed Nash unmercifully. Nash viewed the boos as an opportunity to mature.