Avery Johnson
Avery Johnson
Avery Johnsonis an American basketball coach who is currently the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team. Johnson spent 16 years in the National Basketball Association as a player, and subsequently served as the head coach of two NBA teams: the Dallas Mavericks and New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets. He led the Mavericks to their first NBA Finals appearance and to three consecutive 50+ win seasons. During his playing days, Johnson was known as the "Little General" for his...
ProfessionBasketball Player
Date of Birth25 March 1969
CityNew Orleans, LA
It's about having a second chance, ... There are a lot of people in there that survived. So you try to let them know that they survived for a reason and you still have a lot to give this country. And if you end up staying in the Dallas-Fort Worth community, you have a chance to be an asset to our community.
It's a game we've got to go to San Antonio and play. Then we have to come back and play another game (against Charlotte on Friday). I think the big swing games will be in April. I think there's too much of the season left to call this a swing game.
I told the guys if they have any guts, they'll pick Southern to get out of that region.
Everybody's not going to play in the exhibition games, so we needed to get some work in. I don't look at training camp being the first week of October. It's the whole month of October.
That first-quarter defense probably was as good as I've seen in a long time. No matter who you do it to, when you hold a team to 10 points in a quarter, that's pretty special.
It's been great. I've been able to smile. But in the back of my mind, I know I've got to watch some film on the Clippers because we play them coming out of the All-Star break. And I know I've got to watch some film on the first half of the season. But I've been able to smile.
They were playing loose and had nothing to lose.
They were the aggressors in the first half. We really didn't get off the bus. We've got some lethargic situations here that I've got to address. It's really disappointing. Just got to crack the whip a little bit.
They made a run. They're a very good basketball team. The second half, they got it within two, and we just suggested 'stay tough-minded.' And we were able to get somewhat of a cushion.
They have two really terrific players in Shaq and Wade.
These two teams have a lot of pride. Memphis doesn't back down from anybody, and it has not played its best game yet.
The more you watch them on film, the scarier it gets. They sit on all your plays. You got to move the ball against them. They can shut down our offense if we don't play well offensively. It's going to be a very, very tough series.
The more they can do this consistently, the better off we'll be.
It's a big improvement from last year, ... He's really trying defensively. And the kid is healthy. Last year he was playing on one ankle.