[Dallas Morning News] Johnson takes out frustration on officials

[wireonfire]

Johnson takes out frustration on officials

Mavericks coach upset at physical play near end of game


11:42 PM CDT on Saturday, April 23, 2005


By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News


Mavericks coach Avery Johnson was relaxing in a Plano barbershop getting a haircut and calmly talking basketball on Friday afternoon.

Saturday afternoon, after the Mavericks lost Game 1 of their first round series, 98-86, to Houston at the American Airlines Center, Johnson was yelling at referee Joey Crawford and needed to be restrained.

Johnson's first playoff game as a head coach didn't go as planned. He gets another chance for his first playoff victory Monday night in Game 2.

Johnson tried to make light of his screaming at Crawford when asked about it after the game.

"Joey was the ref in our final game in 1999 when we won the title and I just wanted to tell him how much I appreciated that," said Johnson, who won the title with San Antonio.

Johnson apparently was upset at the physical play toward the end of the game.

In the closing moments, Johnson walked toward midcourt and yelled at Crawford: "Joey you swallowed your whistle."

Crawford appeared to dismiss the comment.

At the final buzzer, Johnson, still steamed, was walking off the court yelling at Crawford. Johnson then turned around and went after Crawford near midcourt, until he was restrained.

"Well I think we're upset we didn't get some calls down at the end," Mavericks forward Keith Van Horn said. "When you lose you have a tendency of getting on officials a little more than when you win. We will get those calls. We just have to stick with it."

Van Horn didn't believe the game was any more physical than most playoff games. The Mavericks were called for seven fewer fouls than the Rockets and went to the foul line 22 more times.

Yet, it was the start of the game that hurt Dallas as it shot 31.6 percent from the field in the first quarter and trailed 26-16.

"This wasn't one of the best games we've played over the last three or four weeks," Johnson said. "I can't remember a game where we didn't score and play good defense. Give Houston credit. They played good, tough physical defense. We got to the line, but we didn't make enough field goals."

After his promotion from assistant coach to head coach in March, Johnson has stressed defense more than offense.

Houston's perimeter players got open looks because of penetration by Tracy McGrady. The Rockets shot 47.4 percent from the field with McGrady leading the way with 34 points and Mike James adding 16 points off the bench on 7-13 shooting.

E-mail cwatkins@dallasnews.com

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont....3f5f92e1.html

[Davidoff]

NO ONE in Dallas should ever open their mouth to say anything bad about the way the game was called... WE WERE ON THE SHORT END OF THAT STICK!!!!

[pippendagimp]

What's in the water over there in Dallas? These people are delusional

[lost_elephant]

he needs to get taken out back and beaten a little with a stick that says stupid on it.

[franchise23]

What the hell is Johnson smoking?? The Mavs go the free throw line 22 more times than the Rockets and THEY are the ones who got bad calls??

[Willis25]

Originally posted by pippendagimp What's in the water over there in Dallas? These people are delusional

looks to me like it was the coach - even the players and the writer seemed to think it was a non-issue

[longrangesniper]

Avery Johnson is way overrated. Just because he had a good record during the final stretch of the regular season means almost nothing. Look at the star depth on their team, I'd say that is the reason why.

Bottom line is that in my opinion, Avery Johnson can't even coach...hes probably the equivalent of a low tier college coach.

[vwiggin]

If you want to complain about the refs you need at least a shread of plausibility. When a cream puff like Van Horn disagrees with your assessment, you know you are in trouble.

[peleincubus]

Originally posted by longrangesniper Avery Johnson is way overrated. Just because he had a good record during the final stretch of the regular season means almost nothing. Look at the star depth on their team, I'd say that is the reason why. Bottom line is that in my opinion, Avery Johnson can't even coach...hes probably the equivalent of a low tier college coach.

ive remember quotes from players and coaches saying the opposite quite a few time even before he retired that he was going to make a great coach.

i hope your right though for at least this series.

[DieHard Rocket]

What a joke. I know it is tendancy for a person to feel like their team was shorted by the officials, but this game wasn't even close.

It seemed like every time we made contact with another person a whistle was blown. Dirk had that stretch where he got 6 or 8 free throws in a row on all very questionable calls.

Avery should be thanking the officials. They were the only reason the Mavs were IN the game.

[fya]

Avery johnson can kiss my ass. I hate that guy

[R0ckets03]

That ugly ass chimp wont be in the league in about two years.

[canoner2002]

it is a joke. Wesley got called for an elbow about 1:00 left in the game. Replay showed there was no contact. Wesley was moving his arms one direction and that mavs flopper yanked his head the other direction. It doesn't take a physics major to figure out that was a flop, yet they got the call and possesion.

Avery Johnson is on some serious drug.

[KeepKenny]

Originally posted by canoner2002 it is a joke. Wesley got called for an elbow about 1:00 left in the game. Replay showed there was no contact. Wesley was moving his arms one direction and that mavs flopper yanked his head the other direction. It doesn't take a physics major to figure out that was a flop, yet they got the call and possesion. Avery Johnson is on some serious drug.

Not to mention the fact that Wesley was passing the ball. How can you possibly get called for an offensive foul for going through a passing motion? Mind-boggling. The nerve it takes for the Mavs to say anything bad about the officials is incredible. They didn't even have to make shots for a looooooooooong stretch, they simply ran into us and fell down to get their parade to the freethrow line. Tmac is an example of how it should be done. Stop trying to get calls, bitches, and make some shots.

[Mr. Mooch]

Originally posted by R0ckets03 That ugly ass chimp wont be in the league in about two years.

I'd say AJ looks more like Jaws:

[rockergordon]

AJ is a good coach. But coasting at the end of a season is much different than the post season, where every play will be scrutinized the next day. welcome to the bigtime dude!

[superden]

you have to be kidding me....

The Mavericks were called for seven fewer fouls than the Rockets and went to the foul line 22 more times.

what was wrong AJ? didnt play the refs enough money for them to giftwrap the game for yall? give me a break. we were the ones who got shafted and we STILL came away with the victory.

[RocketFire]

do you guys think avery did the bad mouth to ref so they can get another Foul calling/FT shooting advantage over Rockets in next game?

[RHU525]

How can they be the ones complaining?
Did anyone see Wesley's offensive foul with like 1 minute left in the game? I don't think i've ever seen such a horrible call in all my years of watching basketball. He tried to pass the ball and terry flopped. TERRIBLE!

[olliez]

When the round 1 is over, I am going to write to Avery Johnson & the refs:

Blow me

& Blow Me again !