Should we go after Avery Johnson if he's fired?

writeous · Post #1 » by **writeous** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 2:11 pm

Seems like he would be the perfect coach for Atlanta. Thats the only downside about us winning these couple of games, its going to be allot harder to swallow from a PR perspective firing Mike. But even if we beat Boston, he has to go.

tontoz · Post #2 » by **tontoz** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 2:27 pm

writeous wrote:Seems like he would be the perfect coach for Atlanta. Thats the only downside about us winning these couple of games, its going to be allot harder to swallow from a PR perspective firing Mike. But even if we beat Boston, he has to go.

Agreed. I would love to see Avery here. Lets be real it isn't like Woody was the one who scored 20 pts in the 4th quarter or blocked 7 shots.

bottom line is that our players stepped up to the challenge and you can't coach that. Some guys step up in the playoffs and some guys don't.

conleyorbust · Post #3 » by **conleyorbust** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 2:29 pm

I think if BK is gone, Woody will be too. The new guy will want to bring in his own guy for the job.

On the other hand, I don't see BK being able to can Woody if the ASG keeps him around as GM.

I think its an all or nothing deal.

tontoz · Post #4 » by **tontoz** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 2:47 pm

Looks like Avery actually did get canned. In another story...

Party For Howard After Loss Annoyed Avery
April 30, 2008 - 9:30 am
The Star-Telegram -
A party held for the birthday of forward Josh Howard after the Mavericks' Game Four loss to New Orleans infuriated coach Avery Johnson, according to the Star-Telegram.

Johnson stressed a rule of no partying to his team, but a celebration to honor Howard's birthday was still held hours after the defeat in Dallas.

Two sources confirmed the party to the Telegram, but they differed on how many players actually attended the affair.

Johnson was so livid at the news that he reportedly canceled the team's practice on Monday, a day before they were eventually eliminated by New Orleans. [READ]

evildallas · Post #5 » by **evildallas** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 4:00 pm

I think Avery Johnson or Mike D'Antoni would be an upgrade at coach, but each has some question marks also. Avery Johnson has made some strategic head scratchers along the way like changing his lineup prior to playing Golden St. last year and adapting to Warriors style rather than exploit their weaknesses. On the positive side, he does have the right pedigree of influences and experiences. D'Antoni has the offensive creativity, but his downside is his reluctance to use his bench and what's up with running the offense through Diaw so much in the playoffs?

Mike Woodson has done better than I expected in this series, but when I go back to the full body of his work it's clear we need better. Almost anyone would fit that description (except Larry Brown), but an experienced coach who's had success in the league would likely be able to command the attention of the players.

td00 · Post #6 » by **td00** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 5:05 pm

Can't say the same about BK, even though the Bibby trade got us to at least a playoff team.
Most would agree there are probably 20+ coaches who would be an upgrade to Woody. But Woody is getting them to listen it appears, and maybe that is all it takes.
Maybe another GM who can bring in help would work better with Woody and his schemes.

I know I wouldn't take Flip Saunders though. He doesn't appear to be able to finish what he starts.

evildallas · Post #7 » by **evildallas** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 5:43 pm

Strangely, we have this in common with the Boston board. They are also debating if Avery or D'Antoni would be an upgrade over Doc Rivers.

Small world.

BAMABIRD · Post #8 » by **BAMABIRD** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:21 pm

writeous wrote:Seems like he would be the perfect coach for Atlanta. Thats the only downside about us winning these couple of games, its going to be allot harder to swallow from a PR perspective firing Mike. But even if we beat Boston, he has to go.

Theres no way in hell, woody should be fired if we beat Boston!

Sultanofatl · Post #9 » by **Sultanofatl** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:22 pm

no no no. Avery took over a pre-made 50 win team. And he took them to the finals and got killed by an equally talented team. Who did he develop on the Mavs? No. D'antoni now I could see this, because he found ways to make young guys better.

Post #10 » by **HMFFL** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:49 pm

It's official Avery has been fired.

LL Cool Scott · Post #11 » by **LL Cool Scott** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:03 pm

Any team would be lucky to have either one of those guys. I'd take either one in a heartbeat. I would be shocked if the Suns were stupid enough to let D'Antoni go, but Avery appears on his way out.

HoopsGuru25 · Post #12 » by **HoopsGuru25** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:48 pm

I've said all along that Avery would be my first choice. I think he would be a great fit for the Hawks.

JoshB914 · Post #13 » by **JoshB914** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:12 pm

Avery's mentality would be perfect for our young team. But I think he would have to change the way he likes his teams to play. HMFL really swayed me with his opinion of Avery, he likes to slow things down and we can't do that with this team.

I would love to have Avery. But he would have to make some compromises regarding the way he wants our team to play.

tontoz · Post #14 » by **tontoz** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:28 pm

JoshB914 wrote:Avery's mentality would be perfect for our young team. But I think he would have to change the way he likes his teams to play. HMFL really swayed me with his opinion of Avery, he likes to slow things down and we can't do that with this team.

I would love to have Avery. But he would have to make some compromises regarding the way he wants our team to play.

That may be because his franchise player isn't very fast. Dirk isn't exactly known for his fast break exploits.

conleyorbust · Post #15 » by **conleyorbust** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:34 pm

tontoz wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

That may be because his franchise player isn't very fast. Dirk isn't exactly known for his fast break exploits.

Dirk is underated on the break, he's no Josh Smith but he's got great handles and he's a crafty finisher.

evildallas · Post #16 » by **evildallas** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:33 pm

I have trouble laying the blame for the collapse against Miami on him. I do blame him for the Golden St. lose, but I rank both ahead of Woodson. If nothing else the fact he went to the finals as a player and a coach should be enough to get the young players to listen to him.

As for player development I look at the assistants for that. We need to spend some bucks on better specialty assistants to develop our number 1 asset, our young players.

markdeez33 · Post #17 » by **markdeez33** » Thu May 1, 2008 6:06 am

Yall want Avery and his isolation playbook? He would take away every bit of a fast break. The Celtics would sweep the Hawks with Avery as coach.

I'm not saying he's a bad coach I just don't see the lovefest with Avery.... I wouldn't want him as the coach of the Hawks, he'd be better somewhere like Chicago