<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Avery Johnson made it clear on Thursday that his role for the Mavericks will not be to score any points or dish out any assists this season. "If I'm out there starting," he said, "we're in trouble." Mavericks coach Don Nelson said Johnson is his "handpicked" replacement as coach. </div> Full Story
This could be Nellie's final coaching tenure. I dont think Cuban will be patient anymore. While Nellie has picked Avery to be his successor, the owner hasnt committed yet. So things can be interesting. Personally, if the season doesnt go well, and Cuban has to fire the Nelsons, I would like Cuban to make a run at bringing Phil Jackson to Big D for another 3 peat!!!! Avery however was crucial in the mavs run in the 2002 playoffs. He could definitely be an x-factor in bringing the best out of the players this season and surprise people...
Couldn't agree more, Dude. Nelson has always had excuses why his team can't play defense. They've traded those excuses away and brought in the players they need to play championship caliber defense. Cuban knows this, and Nellie will have to prove he can coach these guys. Avery certainly has the right idea, his job will be to motivate Dampier, and more importantly, teach the perimeter players how to play defense (ala San Antonio). I think he'll be a great head coach some day. As for Phil, yeh, I'd love to see him in Dallas. I don't want the damn triangle though. But Phil is a smart guy, and he'll make the decision to return when he knows his team will be ready to win a championship. Let's see how this next year goes first.