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kriD · 04-06-2006, 07:29 AM

Coach A+

Avery Johnson looks like Coach of the Year, in first full year

By ART GARCIA
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

Dirk Nowitzki's MVP candidacy is justified. But is Avery Johnson the Mavericks' true MVP? Forget the tired tirade - what coach doesn't unload on his players every now and then? - and focus on what's been a remarkable and record-breaking run in Johnson's first full season as an NBA coach. Johnson can't win the MVP, but becoming the first Mavs coach to be the NBA Coach of the Year is well within reach. Or is that earshot?

WHY HE IS COACH OF THE YEAR

1. The Mavs, at 56-19, are poised to not only exceed last season's 58-24 record but break the franchise's all-time best mark of 60-22, set in 2002-03. (That's also the Mavs' last visit to the Western Conference Finals.)

2. The Little General isn't flying under the radar. He's the fastest coach in league history to 50 wins, had the best record ever after 82 games (66-16) and has been Western Conference coach of the month twice this season.

3. The balancing act can't be ignored. Not only has Johnson tweaked and enhanced the system of former coach Don Nelson, but he has held it together while injuries have threatened to take it all down.

OTHER FAVORITES

Flip Saunders (Detroit):

Larry who? Saunders has led the title-favorite Pistons

to the league's best record in his first season in Motown by keeping it simple.

Mike D'Antoni (Phoenix): Sure, last season's top coach has reigning MVP Steve Nash, but Nash has a bunch of new teammates - and no Amare Stoudemire.

Pat Riley (Miami): So what if he set up Stan Van Gundy to fail? The three-time Coach of the Year has Flash, a Diesel and that serious baggage peaking.

Wild cards: New Jersey's Lawrence Frank, Cleveland's Mike Brown and LA Clippers' Mike Dunleavy.

04-06-2006, 07:29 AM	#1
kriD Platinum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 2,039	Avery Johnson looks like Coach of the Year, in first full year Coach A+ Avery Johnson looks like Coach of the Year, in first full year By ART GARCIA Star-Telegram Staff Writer Dirk Nowitzki's MVP candidacy is justified. But is Avery Johnson the Mavericks' true MVP? Forget the tired tirade - what coach doesn't unload on his players every now and then? - and focus on what's been a remarkable and record-breaking run in Johnson's first full season as an NBA coach. Johnson can't win the MVP, but becoming the first Mavs coach to be the NBA Coach of the Year is well within reach. Or is that earshot? WHY HE IS COACH OF THE YEAR 1. The Mavs, at 56-19, are poised to not only exceed last season's 58-24 record but break the franchise's all-time best mark of 60-22, set in 2002-03. (That's also the Mavs' last visit to the Western Conference Finals.) 2. The Little General isn't flying under the radar. He's the fastest coach in league history to 50 wins, had the best record ever after 82 games (66-16) and has been Western Conference coach of the month twice this season. 3. The balancing act can't be ignored. Not only has Johnson tweaked and enhanced the system of former coach Don Nelson, but he has held it together while injuries have threatened to take it all down. OTHER FAVORITES Flip Saunders (Detroit): Larry who? Saunders has led the title-favorite Pistons to the league's best record in his first season in Motown by keeping it simple. Mike D'Antoni (Phoenix): Sure, last season's top coach has reigning MVP Steve Nash, but Nash has a bunch of new teammates - and no Amare Stoudemire. Pat Riley (Miami): So what if he set up Stan Van Gundy to fail? The three-time Coach of the Year has Flash, a Diesel and that serious baggage peaking. Wild cards: New Jersey's Lawrence Frank, Cleveland's Mike Brown and LA Clippers' Mike Dunleavy.