Avery Johnson is no longer the Mavericks coach

April 30th, 2008 Posted in Avery Johnson

Mark Stein with ESPN.com is reporting that Avery Johnson has been fired.

This site isn’t going to be going anywhere anytime soon so be sure to keep checking back.

I wish Avery the best as he moves on from Dallas.  There’s no doubt that he will be a head coach again, probably very soon.  I think he’ll make a good coach somewhere too.  It’s just that he’s not the right person for this team right now and what they need to do. 


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  1. 57 Responses to “Avery Johnson is no longer the Mavericks coach”

  2. By ThFEAR on Apr 30, 2008 at 1:17:59 pm

    Riley? JVG? Brown?

    Can we fire J-HO too?

    Dark days man, dark days…

  3. By Kirk on Apr 30, 2008 at 1:26:32 pm

    Domain name change in the works?

    It’s going to be a rough year next year. But Dirk is here to stay; his style of ball will make him effective for 3-4 more seasons before he starts to decline. The city loves Terry, and they should; he’s a good citizen and a solid player, if overpaid. Kidd will come off the books after next year. Damp will still be over paid. It might be time for Howard to go, since he has gotten away from all that made him so valuable (basically being scrappy. They never used to call plays for him, he’d just get buckets.)

    I predict another 8th seed or so next year. Go Mavs. On to jumping on the Hawks bandwagon!

  4. By Shaft on Apr 30, 2008 at 1:33:07 pm

    If they can get Pat Riley, that is a no brainer. Proven winner in mulitple systems using aged players.

  5. By David on Apr 30, 2008 at 1:37:42 pm

    Mission accomplished. I guess we don’t need to come back to this blog anymore.

  6. By German Mavs Fan on Apr 30, 2008 at 1:38:11 pm

    Avery Johnson is a great coach!
    I´m a really, really big MAVS-FAN, but I simply love him!
    I´m so disappointed the MAVS are kicked off in round 1 again, but please don´t blame it on Avery Johnson!
    He just tried to do his job!
    So please keep him in honorable memory!

    Thank you!

  7. By Ocho5 on Apr 30, 2008 at 1:38:30 pm

    Good RIDDANCE!! Don’t let the door hit you in the backside on the way out ya bumm.

  8. By Mark on Apr 30, 2008 at 1:38:33 pm

    The sweet comments are touching. I think Avery is an arrogant ignorant bastard who just dismantled a team that should have been a contending team for several years. Another team would be foolish to hire this basketball moron. I don’t wish him the best-I hope he never works again in the NBA.

  9. By Mark on Apr 30, 2008 at 1:40:49 pm

    Greg-sell the domain name to somebody in the city of the team that hires this prick. This site will surely follow him for the rest of his career.

  10. By Dez on Apr 30, 2008 at 1:41:20 pm

    I hope he gets an assistant coaching job on the Hornets bench. He sure did help the Hornets out this year.

  11. By Tommy T. on Apr 30, 2008 at 1:41:32 pm

    Thanks Avery!!!!

    But now its time to get some real things done!!! We are way too old and slow, the only players that need to be on the team next year that are here now are:

    1) Dirk
    2) Kidd
    3) Bass
    4) Terry - he can go if you can get something better!!!

    Everyone else is up for trade and is not untouchable!!! as for a new coach I dunno you have to get some sort of a big name, but also need defense and you need offense so its hard to say which type of coach to get.

  12. By Jessica on Apr 30, 2008 at 1:42:12 pm

    I agree that firing Avery is the best move, and I’ve been reading this blog since it started, but I do have to say, I’ll have a soft spot in my heart for him.

    He just wasn’t right for us anymore and it’s been awhile coming. I wish him the absolute best of luck in his. He his likely to become a phenomenal coach, but not here and not now.

    Good luck Avery!

    I’m thinking a Westphal/Harris combo.

  13. By Dez on Apr 30, 2008 at 1:45:04 pm

    The Mavs need an athletic wing to compliment Dirk and Jason Kidd style of play. Anyone available to fill the need?

  14. By David on Apr 30, 2008 at 1:46:13 pm

    I agree that the only players worth keeping are Dirk, Kidd, and Bass. Although, I wouldn’t mind trading Dirk for someone who actually has a killer instinct and can carry our team when it counts (ie. Kobe, B-Roy, Joe Johnson).

  15. By KeepingItReal on Apr 30, 2008 at 1:47:28 pm

    Call me up when some players start getting cut.

  16. By slickD on Apr 30, 2008 at 1:49:35 pm

    Can’t blame Cuban it’s so frustrating having to watch this team lose year after year. They should make a move to force Del Harris out of semi-retirement if not as a head coach he should be an assistant then make a move for Rudy T or Rick Carlisle or even Jeff Van Gundy for the Head Coach position. You can certainly count Riley out he wants to protect his name after a dismal season at Miami.

  17. By slickD on Apr 30, 2008 at 1:52:40 pm

    trade howard & stack and try to get maggette plus another solid reliable swingman off the bench.

    heck il even trade Kidd to get baron davis but i guess Mavs fans wouldnt be pleased to see BD wearing a mavericks uniform. AI is another option

  18. By Mark on Apr 30, 2008 at 1:53:56 pm

    Congrats to the Mavericks fans on another losing season. Remember, Avery was and always will be a SPUR first. GO spurs GO. yeahaa!

  19. By slickD on Apr 30, 2008 at 1:54:38 pm

    lastly they should trade damp for a better bigman. Camby maybe? then they can sign Diop again

  20. By Jeff on Apr 30, 2008 at 1:55:13 pm

    suggested new name: FireCuban.com

  21. By JaredNow1 on Apr 30, 2008 at 2:02:33 pm

    Avery-thanks for the memories.
    But finally, it’s time.
    MARK-
    good move, now get rid of J-Ho and Damp and provide another BIG STAR-and by big a mean CENTER and I mean STAR.

  22. By J - Ho on Apr 30, 2008 at 2:03:19 pm

    *cough* *cough*

    Man…….*long pause*

    Avery was like totally awesome dude.

  23. By MarkCuban on Apr 30, 2008 at 2:08:52 pm

    coach? i think i will coach the team next. I am a basketball genius.

  24. By Mission Accomplished! on Apr 30, 2008 at 2:10:56 pm

    Hire Mark Jackson! He’ll know a thing or two about running an offense.

  25. By drew on Apr 30, 2008 at 2:11:07 pm

    Seems like a lot of the comments here are now just trolls and spam like responses.

  26. By homelezZ on Apr 30, 2008 at 2:11:29 pm

    Hey guys. Oh, big gulps huh? All right! Well, see ya later.

  27. By Vic in TX on Apr 30, 2008 at 2:13:15 pm

    Now I have to start a don’t hire avery blog! I don’t want him on the Spurs bench

  28. By Inder on Apr 30, 2008 at 2:14:52 pm

    Can this website be shutdown now?

    LOL

  29. By jshcmp on Apr 30, 2008 at 2:18:22 pm

    How about Eddie Jordan if he becomes available?

  30. By BIG LJ on Apr 30, 2008 at 2:21:38 pm

    Josh Howard for Vince Carter
    Jason Kidd for Allen Iverson
    Dirk Nowitzki for Amare Stoudemire

    MAVS CHAMPIONSHIP IN ‘09

  31. By NoOne on Apr 30, 2008 at 2:25:33 pm

    Shoulda traded half the team for Kobe when they had the chance…, would have probably gone further…

  32. By nico on Apr 30, 2008 at 2:27:02 pm

    i can see kidd for AI going mabye but no way on the other two

  33. By ben on Apr 30, 2008 at 2:39:27 pm

    you guys are a bunch of idiots…yeah let’s punish the guy who got us to the finals with a worse team two years ago and who didn’t ask for this stupid trade…you want someone to blame look no further than your owner. i think it’s about time for him to step aside and go ruin some other franchise.

  34. By Derek on Apr 30, 2008 at 2:43:37 pm

    Ben, are you serious about Cuban ruining Dallas? Did you see what they were before e took over? Cuban has made a couple huge tactical mistakes recently, one being the Kidd trade, but the Mavs would be in the cellar still if not for Cuban. You need to be more careful with comments like that.

  35. By Lotterybound on Apr 30, 2008 at 2:48:58 pm

    The cellar might be more desirable, atleast they would have a chance to bring in some young talent instead of all the slow, aging guys they bring in.

  36. By ihatekidd on Apr 30, 2008 at 2:49:09 pm

    you’re right Derek but all of that doesn’t matter if he puts them right back in the cellar lol

  37. By JH on Apr 30, 2008 at 2:49:16 pm

    David-

    Joe Johnson or Brandon Roy for Dirk? Do you watch much basketball?

  38. By jp on Apr 30, 2008 at 2:57:17 pm

    Yeah, I’m sorry David, B-Roy or Joe Johnson for Dirk, how much crack are you smoking? Joe Johnson’s killer instinct that’s hilarious, how many teams have either of these guys lead to the nba finals? Kobe was stuck in the first round of the playoffs for three years after Shaq left because of his team, now that his team has developed he has a chance to win a title, same thing with dirk.

  39. By Wayne on Apr 30, 2008 at 3:15:46 pm

    Glad to see this happen! Avery is a controlling, overbearing coach that needs to be in the college ranks and not in the NBA! I wish him well but he needed to go. He made far too many blunders and over-coached virtually every game!

    Bye bye Avery!

  40. By Julian on Apr 30, 2008 at 3:16:18 pm

    ya david what’s wrong with you…hahahaha

  41. By detox the mavs on Apr 30, 2008 at 3:22:43 pm

    joe Johnson is amazing. Its a shame no one is recognizing him until now. The mavs obviously have lots of work to do but they have options depending on the takers. Why not consider a firesell? What if the mavs get offered a lot for a trade for dirk, josh Howard, terry, or stackhouse? The mavs need to get younger and more atheletic. The team had a good run but its time to move on. Dallas has no 1st round draft pick, how about making a deal for picks? Lots of talent available in this years draft. Much like the cowboys we have to wait until next year. Its going to be interesting.

  42. By David on Apr 30, 2008 at 3:28:55 pm

    Okay. What kind of award do you win for getting your team to the NBA Finals? A pat on the back? A runner-up banner? You have to win the Finals once you get there and Dirk pretty much choked after we were up 2-0 (in addition to the refs robbing us). B-Roy, Joe Johnson, and Dirk all have the same number of rings: 0. So spare me.

    And back to Kobe, do you think that if we had Kobe instead of Dirk in the Finals against Miami, that he would have let us lose 4 straight for the first time all season? I doubt it. How many times has Kobe closed us out the Mavs in close games? Too many to count. You’re the one smoking crack if you think that Dirk is a better closer than Kobe.

    As far as Joe Johnson, you obviously didn’t watch Game 4. He scored 20 of his 35 in the fourth quarter to help his team beat the number 1 seed. Every shot he made, he created for himself. He willed his team to victory. Dirk is a great player but he doesn’t have the skill or the killer instinct to do that.

    And finally, Brandon Roy. I’m a bit biased because I lived in Portland for the last two years. None of you have seen him play very much so I understand your ignorance. This guy is going to be five times better than Dirk when it’s all said and done. We will see who has a better showing over the next 5 years, Roy and the Blazers or Dirk and the Mavs? Even if we wanted to trade Dirk for Roy, the Blazers wouldn’t do it. He’s that good.

    Dirk is a great shooter and rebounder, but Brandon Roy can also shoot and rebound. However, Roy is also a better leader, a better passer, a better ball handler, a better penetrator, a better finisher around the rim, and a better defender. Watch the game film and look at their stats. There is no comparison.

    If you asked any NBA analyst to pick one person to build an NBA franchise around right now: Dirk or Brandon Roy, every single one would say Brandon Roy.

  43. By detox the mavs on Apr 30, 2008 at 3:39:33 pm

    Wowsers!!! David just educated you fools! And i agree 100%! I love basketball, if its on I’m watching regardless of who’s playing. I’ve seen both B-Roy and joe Jonson and they are incredible ballers! I’d take them over dirk. So pass that rock so I can smoke it too!

  44. By detox the mavs on Apr 30, 2008 at 3:49:48 pm

    why is pat Riley an option? He’s the gm in miami. He’s bern with the heat since the mud 90’s. He’s damn near the owner. Plus he has a chance to get beasley!! Why would he leave wade and possibly beasley for the mavs??? There are no stand out coaches! Larry brown was the best choice. I guess Paul westphaul or Rick carlie but their not winners!

  45. By detox the mavs on Apr 30, 2008 at 3:52:01 pm

    Damn iPhone. Bad grammar also. Sorry

  46. By bentono360 on Apr 30, 2008 at 3:59:26 pm

    I have nothing but respect for what Avery has done in Dallas (excluding the past season). Thanks Avery, and have fun whippin’ those young Chicago Bulls into shape.

  47. By dallasisoffensive on Apr 30, 2008 at 4:40:23 pm

    Mike D would be the best fit for Dallas. He coached a team that was awful at defense so therefor he would go right in with the Mavericks guys who can’t play defense. I think Avery tried to demand chemistry and cooperation, in the NBA guys have no reason to cooperate unless it is a contract year. Chemistry is a joke in a league that has become driven by one player on a team, not the team the player is on and his influence on them.

  48. By Briana Banks on Apr 30, 2008 at 5:22:28 pm

    Avery has the worst luck. First he gets fired. Then he gets his spleen lacerated…what a day….all I have to worry about is gag reflexes and taking too many loads….

  49. By Will on Apr 30, 2008 at 5:23:33 pm

    Well, you got what you wanted. It makes about as much sense as Jerry Jones firing Jimmy Johnson. In fact, it’s almost as stupid as Cuban’s mid-season trade. Betting the farm on an old, has-been point guard. That’s about as dumb as it gets. . . .

    Oh, well . . . at least there’s still hope for a team from Texas!

  50. By Rog Wil on Apr 30, 2008 at 5:24:48 pm

    next step might be let Jason kidd go
    I just hate this guy

  51. By Mavsfan on Apr 30, 2008 at 6:09:14 pm

    So glad to see him out. This should have happened months ago.

  52. By JaredNow1 on Apr 30, 2008 at 6:28:17 pm

    uh, to duder up there. Saying Brandon Roy is going to be 5 times better than dirk is ridiculous. So he’s gonna win 5 MVPs? And Portland may be good in the future because they always suck and end up picking top 2 every year.

    go back to portland. Wasn’t it PORTLAND with the most jacked up loss in NBA finals history, being up 18 on the Lakers in the 4th quarter and blowing it?

    oh, Brandon Roy, Mr. “gonna be”…. wasn’t there.

  53. By JaredNow1 on Apr 30, 2008 at 6:28:53 pm

    sorry, playoffs history.

  54. By Spurred1 on Apr 30, 2008 at 9:06:11 pm

    Someone sure loves Brandon Roy and Joe Johnson. Let’s think for a second-the Hawks are going to lose to the Celtics. The Hawks will have won 2 games. Congrats-I wonder if they’ll get a banner for that accomplishment. Johnson is not going to will the Hawks past the Celtics. Forget him. Josh Smith is the one who is creating problems for the Celtics.
    Moving on,sure…Brandon Roy is very good. However, you are seriously jumping the gun when you declare he’s better than Dirk now. Most guys would pick Roy if they were building a franchise, because Roy is quite a bit younger than Dirk. Franchises are built around younger players when possible. You’ve already admitted you are biased, but you are actually a homer.

  55. By David on May 1, 2008 at 12:26:46 am

    There’s nothing I hate more than people who can’t back their stuff up.

    Portland sucked for the last 6 years but before that, they had the longest playoff streak of any team in the Western Conference. And what do I care if they had the most lopsided loss in Finals history? How is that relevant? Oh wait, it’s not.

    And I didn’t say Brandon Roy is gonna win 5 MVP’s. I said he will be 5 times better. Being MVP doesn’t mean much when your team loses in the first round, am I right?

    And for the other fool, it’s not a matter of age, it’s a matter of talent and leadership. If you had to pick between Duncan and Monta Ellis to start a franchise, who would you pick? Duncan. You wouldn’t pick Monta Ellis to build a franchise around just because he is younger. Right now, Dirk is still in his prime, but I still guarantee that every person who knows basketball would pick Brandon Roy over Dirk Nowitzki to build a franchise around.

    Finally, I never said Joe Johnson was going to lead the Hawks over the Celtics for the series. All I pointed out was how outstanding he was in a tough situation against a heavily favored team. He showcased an arsenal of moves to create points for his team and refused to let his team lose. That’s all. What happens the rest of the series, only God knows.

    And if you’re going to mention that they will only win 2 games, I think winning 2 games against the probable Eastern Conference champ is MORE of an achievement for a team that’s in its first playoffs in over a decade THAN winning 1 game against the Hornets who are new to the playoffs as well. For the amount of experience we’ve had in the playoffs in the last 6 years, it is PATHETIC that we only won one game.

  56. By JH on May 1, 2008 at 9:30:43 am

    Joe Johnson had 21 pts in a blowout loss. That’s big time baby!

    Cuban-sell the team to Joe Johnson!!

  57. By Spurred1 on May 1, 2008 at 1:07:51 pm

    If someone wanted to build a franchise from the ground up,they would not take Duncan. He is closer to the end of his career than the beginning. What’s more, a veteran isn’t going to want to be part of a rebuild/franchise establishment. They would take someone who is younger like Dwight Howard or Amare Stoudamire.
    It really does not matter how many games the Hawks will win since the end result will still be a loss.
    The Mavs, with the exception of two players, were awful. Maybe if Damp or Howard cared more about the game than money or pot, we’d be better off. Maybe if the average age of the bench wasn’t 50, we’d be better off.
    You state Roy will be better than Dirk ever was in 5 years. Do you have anything to back that up? No- because you really don’t know how Roy is going to perform in the future.

  58. By jv on May 8, 2008 at 10:04:29 pm

    Avery was the best thing to happen to the Mavs. Downhill from here, You fans will get what you deserve from here on in.

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