bob_barron Posted March 19, 2005 Report Posted March 19, 2005 Johnson to replace Nelson immediately ESPN.com news services Don Nelson has resigned as Dallas Mavericks coach and been replaced by Avery Johnson, ESPN.com's Marc Stein reports. A press conference is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban told ESPN.com that Nelson resigned Saturday "for family and other reasons." He will stay with the Mavericks as a consultant. Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history, has missed several games in recent weeks to be with his wife while she recovers from surgery. Nelson had been grooming Johnson to become his successor. Johnson has run most practices this season and has coached several games, sometimes with Nelson serving as an assistant. Johnson also had a 10-game stint in charge while Nelson was out following shoulder surgery. The Mavs went 7-3 in that span. The Mavericks host the Charlotte Bobcats on Saturday (8:30 p.m. ET).
2GOLD Posted March 19, 2005 Report Posted March 19, 2005 Well, Avery hasn't sucked when he has coached so I remain confident that the Mavs will be dunked in the second round like every season. Even as a Mavs fan, I've grown to accept that they will be slammed out in round two every year.
kkktookmybabyaway Posted March 19, 2005 Report Posted March 19, 2005 I like Avery -- go do your thing...
Steviekick Posted March 19, 2005 Report Posted March 19, 2005 I hope Nelly's ok. I would have thought he would have gone the whole season, than retired. Well, since the Jazz have been clobbered and the 76rs look clueless, this is the usual part of the season where the Mavs carry all my hope.
razazteca Posted March 19, 2005 Report Posted March 19, 2005 Say goodbye to the Point Forward and hello to a more traditional line-up with a true Center? Only good things can come from this.
MARTYEWR Posted March 20, 2005 Report Posted March 20, 2005 I like Avery Johnson, but damn, him becoming a head coach makes me feel REALLY old.
A Happy Medium Posted March 20, 2005 Report Posted March 20, 2005 I took a nap today after doing some yard work, wake up...and suddenly Don Nelson resigns. I think he was just getting tired of winning 55 games a year then the team not having the toughness to make it in the playoffs. They had a shot in 2003, but then Steve Kerr of all people shot three pointers into their heart. Then they had one of the worst offseasons in history. Trade away Nick Van Exel, who was their best post season player. Brought in two forwards who could never really get going, meanwhile having no center. The whole area right now is tired of the Mavericks being good but not good enough. They're almost a mediocre 50 win team.
The Czech Republic Posted March 20, 2005 Report Posted March 20, 2005 aw man Don Nelson is like the coolest coach in the league, too Is it pretty much a given that Jerry Sloan is gonna call it quits at year's end?
Matt Young Posted March 20, 2005 Report Posted March 20, 2005 I like Avery Johnson, but damn, him becoming a head coach makes me feel REALLY old. Same here. but he's only been retired for 2 years and he won't even be 40 for another week, so he (we) isn't (aren't) really that old.
alfdogg Posted March 20, 2005 Report Posted March 20, 2005 Jerry Sloan will never quit. He's like the Ric Flair of basketball coaches. Except for the 16 World titles, of course.
Steviekick Posted March 20, 2005 Report Posted March 20, 2005 The Jazz' owner, Larry Miller said in a recent interview that there will only be a new coach once Sloan decides he doesn't want the job any more.
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