Pandaemonaeon
01-29-2006, 06:35 AM
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/012906dnspomavericks.30ef968.html
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/9677/record7zc.gif
Fastest to 50: Johnson sets mark with Mavs' win
Red Auerbach, take a back seat to Avery Johnson.
Until Saturday night, the king of all NBA coaching legends was tied with Al Cervi as the fastest to 50 wins, doing so in 63 games.
When the Mavericks knocked off Utah, 103-89, at American Airlines Center, Johnson's career record reached 50-12 with his team riding a season-best eight-game winning streak.
As usual, Johnson downplayed the moment.
"I didn't realize that," he said. "We're just worried about this game for a lot of different reasons. Coming off a road trip when we had some success [5-0], people were saying we're ready to play in the playoffs. And we're not ready for anything yet, except to play the next game."
Johnson, who has clinched the job of coaching the Western Conference All-Star team, saw his team go to 16-0 when holding opponents below 90 points and 8-0 when they limit them to below 40 percent shooting.
Johnson reaching 50 wins faster than any other coach is an achievement his peers may appreciate more than he does.
"It couldn't happen to a nicer guy," said Don Nelson, the man Johnson replaced. "He's made the most of an opportunity."
And he's done so with the team Nelson, son/president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson and owner Mark Cuban have put together. Few coaches in NBA history have started their career with a ready-made playoff team. But it was up to Johnson to mold the team mentally.
"He has been put in an ideal situation and has made the most out of it," assistant coach Del Harris said. "As much as he's done well – and he has – he didn't take mud and make a fruitcake. There's a certain humility that has to accompany this. And I think he understands that."
Johnson constantly emphasizes that any accolades coming his way are strictly a derivative of his players doing all the dirty work. If they don't, nobody gets any recognition.
Holla at your boy :)
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/9677/record7zc.gif
Fastest to 50: Johnson sets mark with Mavs' win
Red Auerbach, take a back seat to Avery Johnson.
Until Saturday night, the king of all NBA coaching legends was tied with Al Cervi as the fastest to 50 wins, doing so in 63 games.
When the Mavericks knocked off Utah, 103-89, at American Airlines Center, Johnson's career record reached 50-12 with his team riding a season-best eight-game winning streak.
As usual, Johnson downplayed the moment.
"I didn't realize that," he said. "We're just worried about this game for a lot of different reasons. Coming off a road trip when we had some success [5-0], people were saying we're ready to play in the playoffs. And we're not ready for anything yet, except to play the next game."
Johnson, who has clinched the job of coaching the Western Conference All-Star team, saw his team go to 16-0 when holding opponents below 90 points and 8-0 when they limit them to below 40 percent shooting.
Johnson reaching 50 wins faster than any other coach is an achievement his peers may appreciate more than he does.
"It couldn't happen to a nicer guy," said Don Nelson, the man Johnson replaced. "He's made the most of an opportunity."
And he's done so with the team Nelson, son/president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson and owner Mark Cuban have put together. Few coaches in NBA history have started their career with a ready-made playoff team. But it was up to Johnson to mold the team mentally.
"He has been put in an ideal situation and has made the most out of it," assistant coach Del Harris said. "As much as he's done well – and he has – he didn't take mud and make a fruitcake. There's a certain humility that has to accompany this. And I think he understands that."
Johnson constantly emphasizes that any accolades coming his way are strictly a derivative of his players doing all the dirty work. If they don't, nobody gets any recognition.
Holla at your boy :)