Avery Johnson will be named coach of the year

At least one major piece of hardware is headed the Mavericks’ way.

Avery Johnson will be named NBA coach of the year on Tuesday, according to league sources, for his performance in his first full year on the job.

Johnson guided the Mavs to a 60-22 record, tying the 2002-03 team for the best record in franchise history. The Mavs had the third-best record in the league and, as the fourth seed in the Western Conference, opened the playoffs with Sunday’s 103-93 victory over Memphis.

Johnson is the fastest coach in league history to 50 wins, his 66-16 record after 82 games is the best all-time and his overall record of 76-24 is the second-best after 100 games.

Johnson is the first Mavs coach to win the award. Former coach Don Nelson was a three-time winner in Milwaukee and Golden State.

Johnson may have some company once all of the league’s honors are handed out. Dirk Nowitzki is one of the Most Valuable Player award favorites, along with former teammate/reigning MVP Steve Nash and LeBron James. Jerry Stackhouse is in the running for sixth man of the year.

The Mavs resume the best-of-seven first-round series against Memphis on Wednesday night at American Airlines Center.
http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/14419094.htm

I want to hear the acceptance speech, LMFAO.

He sounds like Gary Payton or Ice Cube with his anunciation.

speechless........................................ .................and the mavs are so much better how?

Making the Mavs a top 10 defensive team is a big deal. I don't have a problem with him getting the award. It's not like anyone clearly did a better job than him this year.

he deserves it. made mavs legit. flip would have got it if pistons won ~ 5 more games. but its not like anyone owned it this year.

You could make a case for D'Antoni again, but Avery winning is not an outrage.

I think whatever chance Flip may have had for COY was killed with Big Ben's antics in Orlando. What Avery did to kick Dumpier's ass needs to be applauded, and I certainly don't mind him winning at all.

Flip reportedly finished 3rd, behind Avery and D'Antoni.

i was skeptical that Flip could win.....but 3rd?

Flip reportedly finished 3rd, behind Avery and D'Antoni.

I can live with that.

Flip had no chance. Affirmative action, and all.

Doesn't Dallas have like 15 coaches anyway? WTF.

LMFAO@realistic

In my humble opinion the Coach of the Year should've gone to Dunleavy with Avery Johnson & D'Antoni finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively.

In my humble opinion the Coach of the Year should've gone to Dunleavy with Avery Johnson & D'Antoni finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Won't be a popular opinion here after his repeated "Hack-A-Ben" attempts.

I didn't see alot of Clips games this year, maybe 5, but how much did Dunleavy's coaching have to do with their turnaround, and how much was due to Brand/Cassell and the emergence of Kaman?

I'd rather have nobody win the award than let that piece of shit dumbleavy walk off with it.

He was handed Sam Cassell, Elton Brand, Kaman, Livingston, Maggette, Mobley, Wilcox/Radmonovic.....

The CLippers have an EXCELLENT roster. Fuck him for making the playoffs with it. He underacheived if you ask me. That's a 50+ win team.

Corey Maggette missed a significant amount of time, which has something to do with their "underachieving". And how did they underachieve? The only team worse than them seeded higher are the Nuggets and maybe Grizz.

Avery is the man. Well deserved. He taught that team some D.

Corey Maggette missed a significant amount of time, which has something to do with their "underachieving".
The Clips had a winning record without Maggette this year, as they have had for previous years. The Clips do better when he's -not- starting, something they've just gotten around to figuring out.

In my humble opinion the Coach of the Year should've gone to Dunleavy with Avery Johnson & D'Antoni finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Won't be a popular opinion here after his repeated "Hack-A-Ben" attempts.

I didn't see alot of Clips games this year, maybe 5, but how much did Dunleavy's coaching have to do with their turnaround, and how much was due to Brand/Cassell and the emergence of Kaman?

Yeah, I know it won't be a popular choice. I actually forgot about that Hack-a-Ben approach. Good memory on that one. Can I change my vote now? LOL.