Avery Johnson retires this year and immeaditely becomes one of Dallas' assistant coaches and basically named the replacement once Nelson's coaching contract expires. Now it was announced that Nelson will be out 3 weeks because of shoulder surgery, and Avery will take over the team during that time. Here's the question: Is this not a slap in the face to all of the other assistant coaches? AJ instantly becomes the top assisnt head coach and basically gets the job once Nelson is done. If you were an assistant coach, why would you stay on the staff? Aren't most assistant coaches there to gain experience for the big gig once? I find this weird that AJ can come in for not even half a year and be named the top assistant coach Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I don't find that fair for the rest of the coaching staff at all
if i was the owner, i'd choose who i thought was the best man for the job - regardless of how long they've been "waiting for the job." if that means that i slap you in the face, than i guess you have a red cheek for a bit - but i got the guy i want in charge of my players.
exactly my thought. this is a business and whatever is best for my team, goes. if that's a slap to their face, here's one more..... **SLAP**
What makes AJ so qualified? He's tasted the coaching style for less than HALF a year -- I don't see why they are so ready to just give him the reigns.
maybe he is really good at it? Avery has long been held iin high regard for his smarts and basketball IQ....he is also reportedly a good(great?) motivator of his teammates...a real coach on the floor... personally...give Avery the job...I wouldnt mind getting Donny Nelson for the Rockets job....
I have the same questions... I think that he will be a RudyT type of coach... very player friendly and will love the ISO...
I know a lot of the coaches on that bench are not interested in being a head coach in the league (anymore). You wouldn't join such a large staff if you had ambitions to take over. At least a few of the assistants were previously head coaches that know the misery and stress that comes with being number 1. I only wonder about the former heir to the throne: Donnie Nelson. It seems as if Cuban knocked him out of position to take over a couple years ago. Evan
I don't know for sure, but I get the feeling that Donnie Nelson is more interested in being a GM/head of scouting than being a head coach. I know he was one of the first guys to really start scouting overseas, and I think he'd like to continue focusing on those kind of things (though maybe with a more prestigious title).
That argument doesn't stand. The one who even dare not to shoulder "the misery and stress that comes with being number 1" simply doesn't qualify to be an NBA coach, imo. Who got the links on the resume/background of Avery Johnson, I'd like to know it.
Yes, as far as I know from reports, Donnie Nelson is keen on scouting job than being a coach, he spends 3-4 months every year to seek for promising young players, investigate the bbll system & philosophy in Euro League/CBA all over the world.
Larry Bird, Doc Rivers, Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson (OK, bad example), Bill Cartwright, Nate McMillan... who says you need any assistant coaching experience to be qualified to be a head coach in the NBA? Some guys are naturals. I think Avery will do fine.
Larry Bird was much more of a figurehead than a coach - Rick Carlisle was running the Xs and Os while he was around. Isiah's not a great example, either. He earned loyalty from a couple of the Pacers (including O'Neal), but they underachieved a little under him, most notably in the playoffs. Bill Cartwright wasn't successful at all, but he was also put in an impossible situation. I'd give him an INC. Nate and Doc have been above average as coaches, and they come from the same mold as Avery - former PGs with BBall IQ that exceeded their skills. Evan
