Kori Ellis
12-01-2004, 01:51 AM
Johnson gets lesson in time passing fast
Web Posted: 12/01/2004 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA120104.5C.BKNspurs.notebook.ac468850.html
DALLAS — Avery Johnson doesn't have any regrets ending his playing career last month. Especially not after he showed Devin Harris, Dallas' rookie point guard, film of himself running the pick-and-roll.
"I didn't realize I was that slow the last two years," Johnson said. "I may have gotten to the basket a couple of times, but not with the same quickness I did in the past.
"I think when I watched that film it confirmed to me that my time was up."
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has few doubts that Johnson will become a great coach.
"We all enjoy Avery, we respect Avery, we love Avery, we want him to be famously successful," Popovich said. "But I think it's unfair to act like he's going to be Red Auerbach.
"Avery's Avery. He's going to be one heck of a coach, and that's good enough."
Just in time: While Johnson subbed for Don Nelson on Tuesday night, the Spurs did not have to find a replacement for assistant P.J. Carlesimo.
Carlesimo is serving on a jury and had to wait until early Tuesday evening to fly here. With the Spurs declining to send a police escort to the airport, Carlesimo did not arrive at the arena until less than an hour before tipoff.
Don't be late: Friday's game against Detroit at the SBC Center will begin at 7 p.m. Some Spurs pocket schedules list the game as a normal 7:30 start.
Web Posted: 12/01/2004 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA120104.5C.BKNspurs.notebook.ac468850.html
DALLAS — Avery Johnson doesn't have any regrets ending his playing career last month. Especially not after he showed Devin Harris, Dallas' rookie point guard, film of himself running the pick-and-roll.
"I didn't realize I was that slow the last two years," Johnson said. "I may have gotten to the basket a couple of times, but not with the same quickness I did in the past.
"I think when I watched that film it confirmed to me that my time was up."
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has few doubts that Johnson will become a great coach.
"We all enjoy Avery, we respect Avery, we love Avery, we want him to be famously successful," Popovich said. "But I think it's unfair to act like he's going to be Red Auerbach.
"Avery's Avery. He's going to be one heck of a coach, and that's good enough."
Just in time: While Johnson subbed for Don Nelson on Tuesday night, the Spurs did not have to find a replacement for assistant P.J. Carlesimo.
Carlesimo is serving on a jury and had to wait until early Tuesday evening to fly here. With the Spurs declining to send a police escort to the airport, Carlesimo did not arrive at the arena until less than an hour before tipoff.
Don't be late: Friday's game against Detroit at the SBC Center will begin at 7 p.m. Some Spurs pocket schedules list the game as a normal 7:30 start.