Mavericks send Avery Johnson packing

[OMEN]

Avery Johnson, left, posted a 194-70 regular-season mark as Mavericks coach, but was just 23-24 in the playoffs
A string of playoff disappointments led to the firing of Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson on Wednesday.

The firing is probably the first of what's likely to be many off-season moves by the NBA team, which ranks first in the league in payroll.

However, all that money produced a second straight first-round knockout from the playoffs.

Johnson leaves with an impressive resume after three-plus seasons, but Mavericks owner Mark Cuban couldn't tolerate a bottom line of being 3-12 in the post-season since blowing a 2-0 lead in the 2006 NBA final.

The Mavericks followed that disappointment by the embarrassment of being ousted by Golden State in the opening round last season in one of the biggest upsets in league history.

They were just dumped in five games by Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets. Dallas didn't win a single road game against the Heat, Warriors or Hornets, a 0-9 skid that was too much to overcome.

The final slate on Johnson's tenure: 194-70 in the regular season, 23-24 in the playoffs.
Little General takes over

A championship-winning point guard for San Antonio during his long career, Johnson became Dallas's coach-in-waiting when he joined Don Nelson's staff before the 2004-05 season. He only had to wait a few months. Nellie stepped aside in March 2005 and The Little General took over.

The Mavericks went 16-2 the rest of that season and won a playoff series. Then, in his first full season, Dallas went to the NBA final for the first time and was the league's coach of the year.

After squandering their title shot, Johnson and the Mavericks bounced back by winning 67 games, matching the fifth most in league history — only to waste it with the opening-round playoff loss to, of all people, Nelson and the Warriors.

More fodder came in the final months of this season, when he benched newly acquired Jason Kidd for the final 35 seconds of a game against rival San Antonio. A few weeks later, Johnson and Cuban had a shouting match in the coach's office following a home loss to the Lakers.

Dallas was 16-13 after Kidd arrived — 17-17 counting the playoffs. They were 35-18 before giving up young point guard Devin Harris, and a package of players and picks for the veteran superstar.

Johnson's rift with his club was apparent in the Hornets series.

Down 2-0, he said he was to blame, adding it was his fault they were missing layups, free throws and defensive assignments. The next day, Josh Howard went on local radio to talk about how much he and other NBA players enjoy marijuana.

Then, after losing Game 4, Johnson cancelled an off-day practice only to discover that players ended up putting themselves through a workout without him.

He may not be unemployed very long. The New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls are among the teams needing coaches and both might want a young, proven coach who preaches defence and discipline.

Who will Cuban hire next?
Players are aging

Paul Westphal was on Johnson's staff, and Del Harris remains on the payroll as a consultant. Jeff Van Gundy and Rick Carlisle are other experienced coaches who could be interested, if Cuban is.

Whoever takes over will get a roster of expensive, aging players.

Dirk Nowitzki is still in his prime, but he turns 30 this summer. Jason Kidd is 35 and likely will be back since his $21 million US contract is at the player's option. It's the only year left on his contract and he knows he won't get more than that on the open market.

The Mavericks don't have a first-round pick, having traded it to New Jersey in the Kidd deal.

CBC

[cyrax99]

he was a good coach, dirk is just not a leader, he is too soft