<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">They were all together in San Antonio 13 years ago -- Larry Brown, Gregg Popovich and Avery Johnson. "Back in '92, Larry was the head coach, Pop was an assistant, and I was a backup point guard," Johnson said Tuesday, fresh off a family vacation in Florida. "If somebody found that picture, it would be a great picture to show of three guys that are now head coaches. Those guys spent a lot of time together. Just as close as Pop is to Larry, I am to Pop." NBA coaches are an exclusive fraternity, though Brown and Popovich reside in an even more elite sect. They've each won NBA titles, and one is poised to add to his personal trophy case in the next couple of weeks. Brown's Detroit Pistons are defending their championship against Popovich's Spurs in the NBA Finals, which begin Thursday in San Antonio. The Spurs won the 1999 and 2003 titles under Popovich. Johnson expects to join the title-toting club before his contract with the Mavericks expires. If not, he has no problem with owner Mark Cuban looking for another coach. Johnson said as much shortly after the season ended, and he's not changing his tune now. "I'm all right with that. I'm secure with that," said Johnson, whose contract has three guaranteed years with an option for a fourth season. "Mark and I have the same vision. It's a pretty good team that we have here, and I think that's the window of opportunity. I don't have a problem with that. "I'm not going to be held hostage by just trying to make money in the NBA. I made my money. I've been on both sides. More than winning a championship, Mark has to be satisfied with the system and the job I'm doing."</div> Source
I think AJ is fooling himself to think the Mavs have a chance at winning the title in the next three years...they still have to get better defensively, and they need another big name to take the pressure of Nowitzki because he showed that, more or less, he is a follower and not a leader...to win a title, they'd have to hurdle San Antonio, Detroit, Miami, Phoenix and even Seattle, as well as up-and-coming threats such as Indiana and Houston...
As a coach, it's always good to use encouraging words to spur your players on and give them motivation for next season, as well as to help mold closer ties between players and coach. You're right in that Dallas is still a long way away from becoming legit title contenders, but I don't think that Johnson made the wrong decision in making his thoughts clear.
