Avery Johnson, In His Own Words

[enetric]

Courtney Lee was very inconsistent at times last season and i have a feeling that Morrow will beat him out for the starting spot...but i think avery knows exactly what to do with brook..brook is like a poor mans duncan...great comparison...

Of our wing players at the moment...I think I have a higher regard for everyone of them over Lee.


Twil, Outlaw, Morrow and James.

I like all of them more.

Would be thrilled if its Lee that gets dealt for a serviceable young big man....and we can get going with that.

Dont care about wins. I am already looking for the big trade or the big lottery pick. Any luck from GSW...two of them.

[Natebizzy127]

Avery has kept his eyes on 3 players on this team for awhile...and thats Harris, Lopez, and Twill....I Just dont see Twill being the odd man out.....I really think Courtney lee is the guy who suffers here...hes gonna utilize what we have to that dallas style he had...the only thing is hes gonna have to turn Devin loose....Twill is gonna be our at worst 6th man off the bench...hes gonna be a playmaker in this offense...sorry to say but I think Lee is out of the loop....Morrow is the better shooter anyway...Avery is just challenging these guys....he knos exactly who he wants to feature and what role he wants ppl to play...

[jerseyjac]

I ripped Lee during a huge stretch of last season, I never really thought he was a starter in this league...but I do feel he has the potential to be a very nice contributor on this team in the right role...or for someone else...but lets not forget he's capable young player who is still carving out his niche in the NBA...

If we have to sacrifice somone, it shouldnt be Twill...there are negatives to his game, but I feel its part of the learning curve...He needs more PT, not less, to really figure out where his role will be carved...Avery's lack of acknowledgement worries me...

Tough love for Brook, no problem with that...Every coach trys to motivate players in different ways, I think we're going to learn that with Avery...

[demens]

Everyone is gonna forget TWill even plays in the NBA once he gets traded. Remember that guy Nate Robinson.

[SpeedyG]

Everyone is gonna forget TWill even plays in the NBA once he gets traded. Remember that guy Nate Robinson.

LMAO what about Nate Robinson?

[NyCeEvO]

You guys are blowing this way outta proporion..all Avery is doing is challenging our players...something that hasn't been done in years.....he knows the importance of a young promising big man...he played with one in Duncan....he also knows Devin really well... He's just shaking it up...dont kill the guy just yet...he hasn't coached his first game yet...in a way he's telling this team...you wanna be playoff bound? Show me...he wants guys to battle it out...hes showing tough love...he wants to hold people accountable....he has evry right to come in and shake things up....this team won 12 games last year....let him breathe...

I agree. You guys are freaking out for absolutely no reason.

1) If you guys have seen any of the other interviews or comments by Avery about Brook, he kept saying that he believes that they believe Brook is a perennial allstar. Therefore, calm down about this disrespect crap. In the one interview that he doesn't say it you guys go nuts. They drafted Favors with the mindset of him being a complement to Lopez (which is another reason why we didn't draft

2)VC is right. Devin Harris was never a franchise or elite PG anyway. Is there any coincidence that when VC leaves, Harris is no longer able to do the things he was able to do. Why? You don't have to worry about Vince's scoring threat. Just lock up Devin and you have a great shot at stopping us. I think the fact that he gave Devin a program is great. He has been getting injured way too often and it needs to stop. Plus, he credited Devin with the projection that he could be a top 5-7 PG.

3) Team win total. You're getting on him for saying we can't make the playoffs but did we forget that we won 12 games last year. Even with the roster changes, there's no positive energy or thought that we can take from that fact. He also said that in Dallas, they won 7 out of every 10 games and they'd like to get to that level. So I'm pretty sure doing so would put you in the playoffs.

I believe that Avery is doing the right thing. He's giving players credit and is telling them what they can potentially become but is giving them ammunition to achieve that goal. If someone told Michael Jordan when he was drafted, "You're going to be arguably be the best basketball player ever", I doubt that he would have put in much work as he did to achieve that goal because he believes that it will just come naturally. If Avery tells Brook "Hey, you're a top 3-4 center in the league", that could be enough for Brook to feel that he's doesn't really need to get that much better. He doesn't have the killer instinct that says "I'm going to be the best that I can be no matter what praise or ridicule I receive IMO. Just relax and let the man do his job.

[Sharcm1]

We will know how avery feels if twill is traded. It's that simple.

I personally think he should wait till training camp to make that choice but like I said we will see what happens.

The lopez thing was a minor thing in the whole topic. I just hope he doesn't destroy Lopez with the wrong way to coach him. Each guy has a different way they learn and are motivated. A good coach finds that out and does that for each player. Some times the tough love motivation doesn't work and it backfires big time.

The only thing I was majorly concerned about with the comments of wanting a starting pf was that he is going to limit the growth of our 3 pick in the draft Pf.

[SpeedyG]

We will know how avery feels if twill is traded. It's that simple.

I personally think he should wait till training camp to make that choice but like I said we will see what happens.

The lopez thing was a minor thing in the whole topic. I just hope he doesn't destroy Lopez with the wrong way to coach him. Each guy has a different way they learn and are motivated. A good coach finds that out and does that for each player. Some times the tough love motivation doesn't work and it backfires big time.

The only thing I was majorly concerned about with the comments of wanting a starting pf was that he is going to limit the growth of our 3 pick in the draft Pf.

I think that's why this is somewhat an issue, is because of Brook's personality. If it works and Brook comes out of his shell, great. But if it puts him in more in his shell and backfires, then it's bad. To me, it's just an unnecessary comment at this point.

[Lamak]

I don't think TWill is gonna get traded. Him and Avery seemed excited to work with each other in summer league. I think Lee is gonna see the bench.

[Preludepunk27]

I don't think TWill is gonna get traded. Him and Avery seemed excited to work with each other in summer league. I think Lee is gonna see the bench.

As much as a love Twill, I still pray every day for 2 things:

1. A consistant jumper

2. He won't go all Corey Maggette on us once his jumper is developed and just care about his stats.

I love the kid, but I honestly see a little bit of that possibility in him.

[enetric]

You know I took VC4P's comments about what Averty had to say about Brook..as a btw....NOT making a big deal out of it.

And since...there are posters going out of there way to say that to big a deal is being made out of it. I think the only big deal made was by posters saying too big a deal was made.

VC....feel free to disagree with me...but I didnt have that big an issue with what Avery said or didnt say....yet I agree with you...he suffers from foot in mouth syndrome....perhaps he likes it that way...I dont know. But I didnt think your comments meant you thought wow...the sky is falling with Brook.

[S.I.C. GM]

Liked most of the interview. As been pointed out, subtle dig at Brook (and Devin actually)? He goes out of his way and calls Devin a top 5-7 PG (potentially) but eliminates him as the "franchise". Or maybe, this is more of an attempt to get Derrick in the right track, back to his dominant self in HS as opposed to his "contained" version in that GT team.

Also, ugh at not looking at Twill at 3. So Twill, who is stronger, more explosive, and longer can't play 3 but Anthony Morrow, who is shorter, less athletic, and smaller can? So Twill, who's a bad shooter at 2 but adequate at 3, is a better 2? Who's playmaking, dribbling, and passing is good to very good at the 2, but becomes exceptional if he matched-up with 3s? Makes no sense to me.

My overall take on all that I read wasnt Brook that got the bad deal...it ws TWILL. I felt after reading and moving the pieces around the board through Avery's comments...that Twill is the guy who is on the outside looking in right now. A shame.

But...I think a big part of that is...Avery has to justify Outlaw. I think Avery went to bat there. I think others liked him...and Avery used some muscle...and said...I WANT THAT GUY.

And you know how that goes with most coaches. My fear is...Twill is his next Devin. Not appreciating him enough...and then deals him...only to have him bite him in the ass. I just hope we love what we get if a deal goes down. If its for that veteran role guy...I will be pissed.

Actually, I think it is the opposite. I think Avery is setting Twill to be a Point-SG instead of a Point forward for this team. Why did Popeye (Avery) have Twill start at SG, let him take a bunch of shots(too many shots), and now Avery says he isnt a 3. Granted his jump shot is too inconsistent to warrant star SG but his overall game can be similar to a lebron type player of course with less talent. Lebron's jumper sucks too, but Lebron and Twill but they have similar skill sets (score, rebound and assist).

The other reason why I dont take all this TWILL is ODD man out is Morrow and Outlaw are very good offensive players but they need someone to get them the ball. Although Farmer was a pass first PG, on the Lakers he was a spot up shooter. These guys are shooters and Outlaw is a better scorer. What I see for Twill is an offensive threat that will easily facilitate these shooters.

As for lee, Yeah E, the new guys are interesting on the offensive side but we dont know what they could do defensively. I think Lee with the right coach will be able to do it on both ends of the floor. The problem with lee is that he isnt good scoring off the dribble. I think the is better coming off screens and catch & shoot type of plays. When he puts the ball on the floor he takes too long to decide what to do with it.

[Sharcm1]

I don't think TWill is gonna get traded. Him and Avery seemed excited to work with each other in summer league. I think Lee is gonna see the bench.

As much as a love Twill, I still pray every day for 2 things:

1. A consistant jumper

2. He won't go all Corey Maggette on us once his jumper is developed and just care about his stats.

I love the kid, but I honestly see a little bit of that possibility in him.

I don't think he will. I think he had the drive last year to get into the games and make a difference even when the rest of the team gave up. He is a fighter. I think he wants to be a star. I see that in him.

[enetric]

Actually, I think it is the opposite. I think Avery is setting Twill to be a Point-SG instead of a Point forward for this team. Why did Popeye (Avery) have Twill start at SG, let him take a bunch of shots(too many shots), and now Avery says he isnt a 3. Granted his jump shot is too inconsistent to warrant star SG but his overall game can be similar to a lebron type player of course with less talent. Lebron's jumper sucks too, but Lebron and Twill but they have similar skill sets (score, rebound and assist).

The other reason why I dont take all this TWILL is ODD man out is Morrow and Outlaw are very good offensive players but they need someone to get them the ball. Although Farmer was a pass first PG, on the Lakers he was a spot up shooter. These guys are shooters and Outlaw is a better scorer. What I see for Twill is an offensive threat that will easily facilitate these shooters.

As for lee, Yeah E, the new guys are interesting on the offensive side but we dont know what they could do defensively. I think Lee with the right coach will be able to do it on both ends of the floor. The problem with lee is that he isnt good scoring off the dribble. I think the is better coming off screens and catch & shoot type of plays. When he puts the ball on the floor he takes too long to decide what to do with it.

Sic...I dont think you are reading carefully here. I am not saying Twil SHOULD be the odd man out. I am saying...read all of Avery's comments together they start to map out...Devin/Farmar ahead of him at the one in HIS opinion. LEE/MORROW ahead of him at the two...again from the way he makes it sound...and Outlane/Jones ahead of him at the three.

When you can find 6 perimter guys on a team who got more respect from the coach this early on in the process...it reads like IF Twil is even here come next season that he is going to have the most to prove to to get in the rotation. That is what my odd man out comments were based on. That he is the odd man OUT FOR AVERY. Lets face it. There wont by 7 perimter guys getting heavy minutes.

[enetric]

I don't think TWill is gonna get traded. Him and Avery seemed excited to work with each other in summer league. I think Lee is gonna see the bench.

As much as a love Twill, I still pray every day for 2 things:

1. A consistant jumper

2. He won't go all Corey Maggette on us once his jumper is developed and just care about his stats.

I love the kid, but I honestly see a little bit of that possibility in him.

I don't think he will. I think he had the drive last year to get into the games and make a difference even when the rest of the team gave up. He is a fighter. I think he wants to be a star. I see that in him.

I dont know about drive...but talent to be a star? Absolutely. The question is...will he get that chance with Avery right out of the gate? DOesnt sound good if you listen to the coach right now. Could change though...

[vincecarter4pres]

You know I took VC4P's comments about what Averty had to say about Brook..as a btw....NOT making a big deal out of it.

And since...there are posters going out of there way to say that to big a deal is being made out of it. I think the only big deal made was by posters saying too big a deal was made.

VC....feel free to disagree with me...but I didnt have that big an issue with what Avery said or didnt say....yet I agree with you...he suffers from foot in mouth syndrome....perhaps he likes it that way...I dont know. But I didnt think your comments meant you thought wow...the sky is falling with Brook.

Nah, I wasn't trying to make to big a deal out of it, didn't mean to start the ball rolling, but I can see how my comments might have come across like that.

And I agree with NyCeEvo, Avery has mentioned Brook as a perrenial All Star in many other interviews, so no need to panic because he doesn't shower him with love and praise in this interview, just thought it was a little presumptuous to write him off as not having franchise player potential in the media for all to read. I don't necessarily think you claim him to having that type of pedigree without earning it either, it can swell his head up or demotivate him, but it's probably a subject you just leave alone and don't touch on at all, don't mention it and let things play out on their own...

[enetric]

He didnt write him off either. He was comparing to Durant...and talking franchise superstar....not fracnhise player or all star. he was talking SUPERSTAR.

He should have said Brook has that potential...but so what? He has Bosh/Gasol potenial.

And for now? I happen to disagree with VC and others jocking Bogus right now. Yes, he played better last year than previous seasons. NO...dont think he is better than Brook. Make a ft ya freak.