Avery Out as Mavs Coach
Avery Johnson was let go yesterday as coach of the Dallas Mavericks. Avery coached the Mavs for a couple seasons and led them to the best record in basketball last season before losing in the first round of the playoffs to Golden St. This year the Mavs lost to the Hornets in the first round again in only 5 games and were clearly outplayed.
Is Avery deserving of this? No if you ask me but I’m more impressed with Avery as a leader of these NBA athletes and he’ll get another job. He is a shining example of accountability that we don’t see very often and it’s sad that a successful 50 win season doesn’t give him more time.
In the end it is Mark Cuban’s team and investment and he can do what he wants. He’s chosen to go the Steinbrenner way and that’s ok because it’s his money. In my opinion the Mavs shouldn’t blame Avery Johnson for this when Devin Harris defensively could have hung with Chris Paul or at least slowed him down. Instead, they acquire Jason Kidd who is getting older and give up a young player that I really like in Harris. But that’s just me. I also don’t think any team with Nowitzki will ever win a title because I don’t think he’s tough enough and I don’t think he has that edge that is needed and it has shown. Outside of Dirk, Kidd and Josh Howard this team is getting older and more expensive and they need a complete makeover. It is amazing how fast their window has truly closed.
Maybe Cuban saw the Mavs needed to rebuild and that Avery wasn’t the guy to lead them. Maybe Cuban knows something we don’t and wants to get D’Antoni from the Suns to come to Dallas. I love D’Antoni and if that’s the case i’m ok with that but have it be something good because Avery Johnson has my respect as a coach and a person for how he handled this situation and the constant praise that he isn’t afraid to hand out to opposing teams, coaches and players.
