Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

Mavericks Fire Avery Johnson

Regular-season prowess, postseason pratfalls defined rookie coach's Dallas tenure

By Jesse Andrews,  Newser User

Posted Apr 30, 2008 10:03 PM CDT

(Newser) – From the start, Avery Johnson was a perfect fit as coach of the Dallas Mavericks. At the end, it was pretty obvious he wasn't. Johnson lost his job Wednesday, a move the team referred to as "relieving him of his duties."

The softer tone made sense considering that in three-plus seasons Johnson guided the Mavericks to the finals for the first time and to a club-record 67 wins the following season. Yet for all the high points, there were some serious lows—blowing a 2-0 lead in those finals, getting dumped in the first round of the playoffs after that 67-win season and then, the final straw, getting knocked out in the first round again this season.

Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson watches his team's 99-94 loss to the New Orleans Hornets.
Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson watches his team's 99-94 loss to the New Orleans Hornets.   (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson watches the action near the end of a 99-94 loss to the New Orleans Hornets.
Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson watches the action near the end of a 99-94 loss to the New Orleans Hornets.   (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Dallas Mavericks' Josh Howard smiles as he comments during a news conference.
Dallas Mavericks' Josh Howard smiles as he comments during a news conference.   (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Mavericks Beat LeBron's Heat, Win NBA Title

NBA Scores Through Social Media

Facebook Has a Bullseye on Its Back

Mark Cuban Takes His Ref Gripes to Twitter

New Economic Saviors: Marc Cuban and You


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne