Avery Johnson
Avery Johnson
Avery Johnsonis an American basketball coach who is currently the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team. Johnson spent 16 years in the National Basketball Association as a player, and subsequently served as the head coach of two NBA teams: the Dallas Mavericks and New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets. He led the Mavericks to their first NBA Finals appearance and to three consecutive 50+ win seasons. During his playing days, Johnson was known as the "Little General" for his...
ProfessionBasketball Player
Date of Birth25 March 1969
CityNew Orleans, LA
We looked like we were a little tired. But our guys have been battling. I'm on the train with them, whether it gets rocky or not. Right now we are just sputtering.
He was one of the first coaches that came in and started talking about winning a championship and winning it with defense and don't even make apologies about it. Don't blink. Don't even blink when you talk about it. That's the goal. Don't be ashamed about it, otherwise you're just selling tickets.
He wanted to play a little bit more tonight, but I told him we're looking at the big picture.
He can't seem to get it fully healed.
He just still doesn't know all the ins and outs of the game. He started playing basketball so late in life that he's still catching up.
He knows it's not permanent. Stack has been one of our best hustle players. He's wrapped up in that mode of being an offensive player. Sometimes you don't notice the hustle plays.
Guess what? I went out on a limb for it. I stand behind it. I've done pretty much all I can do. I need to get a return on my investment. I think Damp will respond. Whatever minutes he plays, I expect him to be a terror out there on the court.
I wouldn't say it was expected but it's not acceptable. At the same time, these guys wanted to get it right. It was something we were able to fight through.
(Josh is) day-to-day. He kind of tweaked his leg a little bit but right now, talking to the doctor and Josh, I expect him back. The doctor told me (Keith) just kind of tweaked his knee a little bit and like Josh, he's pretty much day-to-day.
He's coast to coast, one of the quickest guards in the league. He causes havoc when he gets in the paint, and he's a pretty good passer. He's a one-man fast break, all by himself.
He's a young David Robinson with a better jump shot.
He has been a big part of what we're doing. He's a guy in our starting lineup that I don't have to call a play for, (a guy) who just plays defense and rebounds. That's good for us. We needed a guy who doesn't want the ball. We wouldn't be here without him.
He helped carry this franchise for a lot of years and he didn't take many nights off. I think that's what I really respected about him.
He had a little swelling. It's nothing serious. It's called old age. But we got to make sure we get that swelling down.