Mavericks' most important new inside player? Avery Johnson

[MavsFanFinley]

Mavericks' most important new inside player? Avery Johnson

By DAVID MOORE / The Dallas Morning News

Erick Dampier is the latest contestant in the Mavericks' version of extreme makeover.

But when Dampier is introduced to an adoring public, don't overlook the man sitting next to him. Not only did he help put the deal together, he's changing the culture of a franchise he may one day coach.

Avery Johnson isn't on the Dallas payroll. Yet. That oversight will be corrected this week when the veteran point guard signs as a player-coach and takes part in the Dampier news conference.

Don't mistake the lack of a contract for a lack of involvement. Johnson has been working behind the scenes all summer with Donnie Nelson, the club's president of basketball operations, to reshape the roster. He didn't need a spot on Don Nelson's staff as an assistant – a role that becomes official this week – for his voice to be heard.

The elder Nelson said his son and Johnson have discussed personnel matters daily during the off-season, then filled him in on what they want to accomplish. Johnson's fingerprints are on every move the Mavericks have made.

Especially Dampier.

The internal debate over the former Golden State center was no different from what has taken place publicly. Was Dampier a classic big man who hit his stride late, or a classic underachiever who was motivated to strike it rich in his free-agent year? Is he the sort of player who puts up impressive numbers on a bad team, only to melt in the heat of a playoff race?

Johnson was Dampier's strongest advocate. He assuaged any concerns the Mavericks had about the center's attitude or ability to fit into their scheme. He pushed the idea that Dampier would give the team two vital qualities it had lacked – a physical presence on defense and a viable low-post option to improve its half-court offense.

It was Johnson who helped convince the Mavericks to make the deal.

"Absolutely," Nelson said. "We relied on Avery a lot. He knew Damp better than anybody because he played with him all last year. He had a big role in this."

A role that should grow even bigger as the franchise moves forward.

Nelson has publicly anointed Johnson his heir apparent. Skeptics will point out he did the same with his son and Sidney Moncrief.

But this is different. Nelson is 64 and in his final contract. He will coach this team for two more years, if that long.

Nelson wouldn't have been so accommodating in giving up personnel control if it didn't benefit his son and Johnson. Owner Mark Cuban wouldn't have allowed Johnson to assume this strong of a voice in the organization unless he considered him a leading candidate to replace Nelson.

Let's say for a moment that Johnson isn't the successor. No one in the league is as creative and unconventional as Nelson. The Mavericks still need to put together a more conventional roster for the next coach to have success.

That's what has gone on the last three months. Johnson, who has a good relationship with Cuban and both Nelsons, is the conduit.

"I think we're all on the same page in terms of how we have to change certain things in terms of being able to go to the next level," Johnson said. "This deal does some of that."

Johnson will have an active role in running practice, just as he did in his last tour of duty in Dallas. The guess here is that he will spend most of the season on the injured list – there is always something that hurts on a 39-year-old veteran – and devote most of his energy to weaning the Mavericks from their strictly offensive ways.

"There are not many centers out there of Dampier's caliber," Johnson said. "I'm just sorry we had to give up a guy like Eduardo Najera in this deal. That's the big thing for me. Our business is about people."

Spoken like someone who intends to be around for a while.

[EricaLubarsky]

That oversight will be corrected this week when the veteran point guard signs as a player-coach

? Is Moore clueless or does this mean we have a lot of roster spots to drop before the regular season?

Don't mistake the lack of a contract for a lack of involvement. Johnson has been working behind the scenes all summer with Donnie Nelson, the club's president of basketball operations, to reshape the roster. He didn't need a spot on Don Nelson's staff as an assistant – a role that becomes official this week – for his voice to be heard.
The elder Nelson said his son and Johnson have discussed personnel matters daily during the off-season, then filled him in on what they want to accomplish. Johnson's fingerprints are on every move the Mavericks have made.
Especially Dampier.

Who needs Donnie?

Also, do I need to reaffirm my love for Avery Johnson?

[grndmstr_c]

Between Musselman's comments and these revelations concerning Avery's involvement in targeting Damp, it's hard not to feel good about the acquisition. I'm a happy Mavs fan tonight.

[Day1MavsFan]

The sooner Avery takes over the HC job, the better.

[mavsfanforever]

EL, My question would be who needs Don?

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally posted by: mavsfanforever
EL, My question would be who needs Don?

Golden State, Seattle, and Atlanta. Those are the only teams I can really say that for without adding "....like a hernia"

By saying that AJ is a prety good talent scout, it kinda undermines the Donnie connection that seems like the only concern of Mavs fans. If AJ knows talent, then fire Nelson and ask Donnie to stay. If he's pissed, let him leave.

[mavsfanforever]

Originally posted by: EricaLubarsky

Golden State, Seattle, and Atlanta. Those are the only teams I can really say that for without adding "....like a hernia"

By saying that AJ is a prety good talent scout, it kinda undermines the Donnie connection that seems like the only concern of Mavs fans. If AJ knows talent, then fire Nelson and ask Donnie to stay. If he's pissed, let him leave.

Bottomline, Nellie please leave.
Or you are fired.

[Dirkenstien]

It's a great day to be a mavs fan when we can be comforted by the notion that our future and success rest in good hands

[fin4life]

Take it easy on the Nelsons. If everyone here feels that AJ is actually ready to take over as coach with NO EXPERIENCE... then feel free to petition to get the guy that is 2nd in NBA caoching wins fired. AJ might become a good coach and he may have a good eye for talent. He has NO experience in either field. Until he is ready to be a coach (I believe that is 2 years), then Don is the man. Whenever he proves to be a better GM/ Scout than Donnie Nelson (which I dont think will ever happen)... then we can talk about replacing him.

[Simon2]

AJ will be the HC by the middle of the season. Nellie will be in Maui sipping his margaritas

[sike]

this is all so good to hear....go get your boy AJ!!

[Drbio]

AJ Signing will give us 18 under contract players. We have to get rid of three of them. Iceman will likely go to Russia. Will someone get bought out? Is there a 2-1 or 3-1 out there?

Should be interesting and after reading this, I am damn glad that AJ is being heard.

[EricaLubarsky]

editnot as funny as I first thought

[Drbio]

I think AJ's extensive league experience gives him immediate credibility.....in any position.

[mavsfanforever]

Do not forget the quoted from AJ in Game 7 Against Portland:

"This game is not about x's and o's it is abt will etc etc."

AJ can reach out to the players better than Nellie. He was the only player that stood up to dirk's face and told him what he did was wrong. Vote for AJ.

[FreshJive]

Donnie brought us:
Dirk
Steve
Daniels
Howard
DJ
Pavel

AJ brought us:
Dampier?

I'm elated to have AJ as an assistant coach, but I think we have a pretty good talent scout.

[The Miles]

Yeah, let's not jump the gun here.

A. Let Avery learn over the next two years and it will be natural.

B. Don't burn the bridges with Donnie, he is Mr. Talent. I am sorry, but I am not ready to let go of Donnie, nor will I ever be.

C. Avery can do his thing right now as a helper to Don. Run practices, make speaches, develop Devin, JT, Benga, Dampier, etc....

I just don't want to lose Donnie Nelson. He has a keen eye for NBA Talent.

[dalmations202]

Would you rather have steve walsh or Mike Holmgren? I will take my chances with Steve Walsh.

I'll take Mike Holmgren as a coach over Steve Walsh......Now if you are talking Bill Walsh, I'd take him instead.

[madape]

If AJ truly thinks that the most important thing we gave up in this deal is Najera, I fear for the future of this franchise.

[dude1394]

Originally posted by: madape
If AJ truly thinks that the most important thing we gave up in this deal is Najera, I fear for the future of this franchise.

I know you are a little over the top sometimes 'ape but I think that it WAS a shame we had to give up najera. Anyone would do it, but he's not as easy to find in the nba as you might think.

- He was willing to go to the floor and mix it up with anyone.
- Was afraid of no one.
- There wasn't that many folks like that on the team.
- completely unselfish.

he wasn't the most talented, but he was a huge competitor. Not to mention just a heck of an exciting player. You can tell how much he made a difference by reading how happy our rivals are that he's gone.

[dude1394]

[cheesestar]

...but we got dampier, i dont see how anyone can be terribly upset.

[mavsman221]

give nelson some respect people. look at all the great coaches and players he has made and brought to our team. nelson built the foundation of this team from absolutely nothing a while back. so he gets us a great team and a good roster and you tell him "bye, your'e fired, avery johnson is taking your place." I don't know about you but my personal opinion about firing nelson is not a business decision. it is more like being a **** head

[madape]

The minute everyone starts respecting Nelson is the minute he's gone. Once Avery Johnson, or whoever, is coach of this team, people will realize how important it is to have a good coach.