Johnson: No problems with contract09:02 PM CDT on Monday, July 24, 2006By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning NewsIf there was any doubt about the Mavericks' unified front, it was squashed on Monday.Avery Johnson made it clear that he and Mark Cuban are on excellent terms and if there was any angst about Johnson's contract in the heat of the moment after the NBA Finals, those days are past.Both parties said the Maverick ocean is as smooth as can be heading into what figures to be a quiet month. Johnson, who leaves today for an extended trip to Africa, and Cuban met for more than an hour Monday and touched on numerous subjects. Johnson's salary wasn't high on the list, apparently, because it has either already been addressed or will be soon, Johnson said during an interview that was heavy on the positive vibes. It's clear he is happy with what has transpired since the NBA Finals."If I was in a situation contractually that needed to be addressed, wouldn't you think Mark would address it because of how close our relationship is?" Johnson said. "We need to give him more credit. It's been reported that he didn't address my contract? How do you know that? Let's give Mark more credit than that."In my situation, if you had the type of contract I had and it needed to be addressed ... as creative as he is, why, after what happened in the last situation, would he want to ever have any tension? Even if I was wrong about something, hypothetically, why would he want to have any tension with a coach that is as loyal as they come? So give him some credit. That's my point."Cuban has called the issue a non-issue and said via e-mail on Monday: "Avery, Donnie (Nelson) and I are partners. That's the best way I can put it." He's said on many occasions that he will always put Johnson, his staff, and the players in the best possible position for success.Johnson added that if his original contract – which is worth close to $12 million for four years and $2.5 million for the coming season – has been restructured, people may never know about it."Right now, I have a contract," Johnson said. "And if there is a time that Mark wants to revisit it, we will. But it's really nobody else's (business). Mark's not going to put me in a position where I can't do the best job. He's just not going to do it. He's too smart for that."But everything we do around here, we do it on our own timing. And whatever we're doing, we're headed in the right direction."In his first full season as a head coach, Johnson led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. That success ensured that his original contract would be guaranteed for four seasons.Johnson's predecessor, Don Nelson, had a difficult relationship with Cuban at the end of his coaching tenure. When Nelson led the Mavericks to the Western Conference finals in 2003, his contract was expiring. It took protracted negotiations for him to get a three-year extension.There is no such frostiness between Johnson and Cuban."Instead of criticizing him, let's give him some credit, because he's smarter than what you think," Johnson said of Cuban. "Mark is not going to do anything that is going to be a detriment to our players or our coaches or our fans. So give him credit."All is good in Mavs-land."George on the way: The Mavericks are working on details of a contract that will lock up former Los Angeles Laker Devean George.The 6-8, free-agent forward was a vital part of the Lakers' championship teams with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. That experience is what has the Mavericks excited about the possibility of landing him with a veteran's minimum contract, about $1.2 million, guaranteed.The Mavericks on Monday finalized the trade that brings backup point guard Anthony Johnson to the team for Darrell Armstrong, Josh Powell and Rawle Marshall. Even if Powell and Marshall are waived by the Pacers, they will not be returning to Dallas, apparently.The Mavericks, according to Johnson, believe that a veteran with NBA Finals experience will better serve them at this point than young projects. George would fit that billing.Briefly: The Mavericks' coaching staff may have at least one more addition coming. While Del Harris, Joe Prunty and Larry Riley appear to be set to return as Johnson's assistants, the role of Rolando Blackman has not been determined. Sam Vincent, who coached the Fort Worth Flyers of the NBA Developmental League last season, is believed to be on the short list of possible replacements. Blackman would remain with the team in another capacity ... The Mavs Foundation has teamed up with Glidden, Office Expo and DeVry University to create the Dallas Mavericks Reading & Learning Center at Buckner Vickery Wellness Center in North Dallas. The renovated facility was provided computers and infrastructure by the Mavs. This is the fifth Mavs' Reading & Learning Center opened in the Metroplex.E-mail esefko@dallasnews.com[url="http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/072506dnspoaveryjohnson.1c38e6a5.html"]http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...n.1c38e6a5.html[/url]
That's a lot of depth now. Good thing the game isn't 12 on 12 or the Mavs would have a perfect record.
That was Dallas's only weakness left. Backup SF. They are loaded now and shouldn't add anyone except maybe Pops as a 3rd string PF.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>That was Dallas's only weakness left. Backup SF. They are loaded now and shouldn't add anyone except maybe Pops as a 3rd string PF.</div> Yep, Avery made it clear that it seemed like Rawle and Powell, even waived would not be back. So expect Pops to be the final player to be added in what has been a great offseason. I thought it started off slow of course with Buck, but man did we get the pieces we needed, Buck, Croshere, Ager, Johnson and now George.
George on the way: The Mavericks are working on details of a contract that will lock up former Los Angeles Laker Devean George.The 6-8, free-agent forward was a vital part of the Lakers' championship teams with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. That experience is what has the Mavericks excited about the possibility of landing him with a veteran's minimum contract, about $1.2 million, guaranteed.The Mavericks on Monday finalized the trade that brings backup point guard Anthony Johnson to the team for Darrell Armstrong, Josh Powell and Rawle Marshall. Even if Powell and Marshall are waived by the Pacers, they will not be returning to Dallas, apparently.The Mavericks, according to Johnson, believe that a veteran with NBA Finals experience will better serve them at this point than young projects. George would fit that billing.LinkWow, me and rok were talking about him going to dallas and now he's actually heading there.
Gump?Anyway, George is another solid addition to the bench and will fill the void left by Marquis Daniels going to the Pacers. Good Signing.
He wasn't a "vital" part of the Laker's championships with Shaq and Kobe as the article states but this is a pretty good signing for Dallas.George is very good rebounder with his leaping ability and has a nice mid-range jumpshot.The only bad thing with Devean George is that he is very injury prone and is known to take bad shots.Besides that,I have no doubt in my mind that he will fit right in with with the Mavs.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Anyway, George is another solid addition to the bench and will fill the void left by Marquis Daniels going to the Pacers. Good Signing.</div> What void did Daniels leave? Also, how did he get the nickname Gump? I don't get it.
Maybe he's fast. Or maybe they thought he was mentally retarded because of the bad shots he takes. Forest Gump was a great movie.
George offered contractThe Mavs have offered free-agent small forward Devean George a one-year, $2 million contract, sources said.However, George's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said he's still exploring other options, including Phoenix, New Jersey and Cleveland. Bartelstein said there's no firm timeline to complete a deal.George has played all seven of his NBA seasons with the Lakers.Earlier this summer, the Mavs signed free-agent swingman Greg Buckner to a five-year contract worth -- including incentives -- $19 million. Buckner's first-year salary of $3.2 million covered a huge chunk of the $5.2 million mid-level exception, and the remaining $2 million was offered to George.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Haha, Dallas can take Gump. Just have him back by contract year, that's when he starts performing.</div> For the price and position he would fill, it's a bargain. Also, it's a one year deal, so wouldn't it be the contract year this year?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Rok @ Jul 26 2006, 01:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>For the price and position he would fill, it's a bargain. Also, it's a one year deal, so wouldn't it be the contract year this year?</div>Than that would be a solid deal for Dallas if it's only a year.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mavsfan1000 @ Jul 26 2006, 11:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>George offered contractThe Mavs have offered free-agent small forward Devean George a one-year, $2 million contract, sources said.However, George's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said he's still exploring other options, including Phoenix, New Jersey and Cleveland. Bartelstein said there's no firm timeline to complete a deal.George has played all seven of his NBA seasons with the Lakers.Earlier this summer, the Mavs signed free-agent swingman Greg Buckner to a five-year contract worth -- including incentives -- $19 million. Buckner's first-year salary of $3.2 million covered a huge chunk of the $5.2 million mid-level exception, and the remaining $2 million was offered to George.</div>Someone just posted that on another board I go on. I don't like George too much but it would be nice to take him away from Dallas. We can get him cheap and expiring contracts are what we need. With James Jones on the team and D'Antoni liking putting out small line-ups I could see him being the back-up power forward....I don't no if he'd be good there so I'd prefer Reggie Evans.
Yeah that would hurt if Phoenix gets Devean George. They are already loaded like Dallas is. It looks like a rematch in the WCF next year.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jhowardfan @ Jul 26 2006, 04:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>and also another rematch in the 2nd round, to me it seems SA would be penciled in to that 4th spot</div>They changed it so the division winners get the top 4 spots, not top 3 so San Antonio should be at #3. The Suns and Mavs with the Spurs will battle it out for the #1 seed. Maybe the Suns can take it since the Mavs division should be even tougher this year....I do think the Mavs are the best and there are some ?'s on the Suns so we'll see.
We can give more for one year then Phoenix can, so hopefully he sticks with our initial deal. But honestly if he doesn't come, I'm not worried. Jumaine Jones is out there and is a much better pickup then George is.
2 mil. is what you're offering. That's not much. Yeah, Jumaine Jones is better so maybe the Suns should let you have George, heh.
