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
I don't know what I am going to have to do to get this team charged up, but I am willing to do anything. ... I'll run around a track, bench press, whatever you want me to do. I am open for any ideas.
But we are trying to figure out how to take the next step. We've got a system in place now, and we're trying to plug in the right pieces.
I wish they would take more people, but they can't. You have that every year. Every year you've got guys that's deserving. Guys that get out there every night, lay it on the line.
If we get both of those guys back by the end of the week, great. If not, we'll have to wait until they're ready.
I have been waiting for 79 games to get some internal leadership, and I haven't gotten it yet. This is one of the most disappointing games that I've been a part of as Mavericks coach. At the same time, it's my fault.
Points are hard to come by against Memphis, and it's been that way for everybody because of their tempo ... and their defensive scheme. We've got to place a premium on getting good shots.
Nick is so hungry for a championship. I remember when we lost to San Antonio in the Western Conference finals. I had never really seen Nick that emotional. All he had on his mind was trying to get back ... trying to get back. I think that's why when that trade happened he took it so hard.
My guys are pretty smart. They know exactly where they are. I kind of like that we have something to play for, playing against playoff teams.
I'm at a loss for words on our defense. We've got to have significant improvement.
I love coming back here with all the great memories I have here and great friends. And everywhere you go, there's always somebody that talks about some of the teams I played on. And because of the hurricane, I got a lot of family that lives here.
We just don't have the fire right now. We're not there mentally or physically. Hopefully we will be there in eight days.
We knew it was going to be a dogfight coming in here, playing against a well-coached team. That's the sign of a good team. ... We were kind of on our heels, but we kept battling. It was a gutsy performance by our team.
We kind of threw the first punch and kept on punching. We were fortunate enough to put together one of our better games of the (season).
This series is not over. We've been in that position (down 0-2) before and we have a lot of respect for what they do throughout the game and see why they are one of the top teams in the Western Conference.