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
I'm not sure Nellie could tell me anything I don't already know about Pop's camps.
I think I'm gifted to do what I'm doing, that this is what I'm here for. I felt like a coach when I was a player. ... In a lot of ways, I know some things are still new to me. But in other ways, I just feel like I've been doing this a lot of time, and a lot of it just comes naturally.
Our team is not playing enough of a 48-minute game and that's the disappointing thing. We know it's tough to win road games. This was a hot team team we were playing, give them credit. But you can't play 18-20 minutes of a second half and expect to beat any NBA team.
I'm their motivation. We don't need outside opinion or perceptions to be motivation. I know how we need to play to get to the next level.
He knows it's not permanent. Stack has been one of our best hustle players. He's wrapped up in that mode of being an offensive player. Sometimes you don't notice the hustle plays.
He just still doesn't know all the ins and outs of the game. He started playing basketball so late in life that he's still catching up.
I expect him back. Josh is a warrior. If it's something that might linger, then we'll think about sitting him out.
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.
No question, this was a big win for us. I thought we showed a lot of mental toughness.
I was concerned about this game. Byron Scott has done as good a job as anybody in the league, and they have that team in playoff contention.
He had a little swelling. It's nothing serious. It's called old age. But we got to make sure we get that swelling down.
He has been a big part of what we're doing. He's a guy in our starting lineup that I don't have to call a play for, (a guy) who just plays defense and rebounds. That's good for us. We needed a guy who doesn't want the ball. We wouldn't be here without him.
I don't know what I am going to have to do to get this team charged up, but I am willing to do anything. ... I'll run around a track, bench press, whatever you want me to do. I am open for any ideas.
Even the times we were in their face, they still seemed to make some shots. Our season is not over ... but we know where we are going to finish now. The only thing that really matters is to get guys healthy mentally and physically.