NateDawg39
04-24-2006, 07:56 PM
At least one major piece of hardware is headed the Mavericks’ way.
Avery Johnson will be named NBA coach of the year on Tuesday, according to league sources, for his performance in his first full year on the job.
Johnson guided the Mavs to a 60-22 record, tying the 2002-03 team for the best record in franchise history. The Mavs had the third-best record in the league and, as the fourth seed in the Western Conference, opened the playoff with Sunday’s 103-93 victory over Memphis.
Johnson is the fastest coach in league history to 50 wins, his 66-16 record after 82 games is the best all-time and his overall record of 76-24 is the second-best after 100 games.
Johnson is the first Mavs coach to win the award. Former coach Don Nelson was a three-time winner in Milwaukee.
Johnson may have some company once all of the league’s honors are handed out. Dirk Nowitzki is one of the Most Valuable Player award favorites, along with former teammate/reigning MVP Steve Nash and LeBron James. Jerry Stackhouse is in the running for sixth man of the year.
The Mavs resume the best-of-seven first-round series against Memphis on Wednesday night at American Airlines Center.
Avery Johnson will be named NBA coach of the year on Tuesday, according to league sources, for his performance in his first full year on the job.
Johnson guided the Mavs to a 60-22 record, tying the 2002-03 team for the best record in franchise history. The Mavs had the third-best record in the league and, as the fourth seed in the Western Conference, opened the playoff with Sunday’s 103-93 victory over Memphis.
Johnson is the fastest coach in league history to 50 wins, his 66-16 record after 82 games is the best all-time and his overall record of 76-24 is the second-best after 100 games.
Johnson is the first Mavs coach to win the award. Former coach Don Nelson was a three-time winner in Milwaukee.
Johnson may have some company once all of the league’s honors are handed out. Dirk Nowitzki is one of the Most Valuable Player award favorites, along with former teammate/reigning MVP Steve Nash and LeBron James. Jerry Stackhouse is in the running for sixth man of the year.
The Mavs resume the best-of-seven first-round series against Memphis on Wednesday night at American Airlines Center.