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
Eight out of the 10 guys in our rotation were in a quote-unquote insurmountable situation last year when we played against Houston. For us, that's something that's sunk in, that we talk a lot about. We've got some guys who know how to respond. Is this game any bigger than Game 3 in Houston last year? ... I don't think so.
We've had a pretty good year up to this point. So we don't want to let all of that go down the drain because we got four guys injured.
We've had some guys out for long periods of time. We've got to whip those guys back in shape. We're waiting on (Keith) Van Horn to come back, which we think he can come back in about a week to 10 days. Hopefully, that other series will stretch to seven games.
Both of those guys are out indefinitely. I trusted some different situations (before), but now I'll bring them back when I want to.
Even the times we were in their face, they still seemed to make some shots. Our season is not over ... but we know where we are going to finish now. The only thing that really matters is to get guys healthy mentally and physically.
You got to be able to go to guys one through 12. We're not afraid to go to D.A. (Darrell Armstrong). We're not afraid to go to D.J. It's a good positive.
I've never really gotten excited about games too much in February. But at the same time, obviously the guys are doing a lot of positive things on the court. You'd be crazy not to think so.
This gives our assistant coaches a chance to show what they can really do. Basically we're down to about eight guys in the rotation. It's not like we have two at each position. We're just trying to make adjustments.
You're concerned any time a guy is injured and you have a timetable and are not able to hit those kind of goals.
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.
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 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.
We're excited to get out of here with a win. Those guys play physical, and they play hard.
I told the guys if they have any guts, they'll pick Southern to get out of that region.