Avery didn't like Anthony Johnson??

[LEONARD]

That's what I thought... thankfully I'm not missing something here and it's just another Mavs fan with a stick up his ass.

He's a beat writer you genius...

[MajorMike]

Fish is around the team more than any other beat writer in Dallas. He talks to a lot of guys and has access to the coaches/players.

For what it's worth, I've heard this story seconded from another media member this afternoon. Now you can question my credibility if you want.

Awesome. Prove it.

[FromWayDowntown]

Marc Stein says the Johnson deal was all about money (and a pick) -- and perhaps not about a personality conflict:

The Mavericks didn't trade away Anthony Johnson because Johnson was unhappy as Dallas' third point guard. Far from it.

Even though Johnson wasn't playing much for the Mavs, he told me before the deadline -- well aware that teams had been calling Dallas for weeks to pry him away -- that he really wanted to stay. Club insiders also say Johnson was a welcome presence in the locker room, despite his struggles to take minutes away from Jason Terry and Devin Harris.

Dallas simply couldn't resist the opportunity to save more than $8 million in future salary and luxury-tax obligations . . . and create a $2.6 million trade exception . . . and take back what should be a pretty decent pick early in the second round of the deep June draft by sending Johnson to the Hawks.

The Mavs acquired Johnson (along with Austin Croshere) in a summertime trade with Indiana, only to learn that Johnson and Terry weren't best buds in Atlanta some years back. But they laughed at those memories in Big D, insisting from the start that a reunion -- with Johnson brought in to add to the Mavs' collective experience after their emotional Finals collapse -- would be no problem.

"We were young in Atlanta," Johnson said earlier this season. "They drafted [Terry], brought him in and were basically grooming him to take over the team. I was part of the last Hawks playoff team, so there was a little bit of a beef at first. But it was easy to put that aside. We're men now. We're all about winning a championship."

Johnson returns to Dallas on Monday with the Hawks. The Mavs also considered trading him for a third big man (to replace the fallen DJ Mbenga) or another shooter -- something they need more than you think -- but the reality is that coach Avery Johnson simply won't play a shooter who can't defend some as well. That's why Dallas had such strong interest in Eddie Jones after Memphis waived him; Jones can still be a defensive factor who's also a threat to make corner 3s.

[MajorMike]

But he's not around the team and doesn't know anything.

[big3bigD]

Marc Stein says the Johnson deal was all about money (and a pick) -- and perhaps not about a personality conflict:

This is from another Dallas Morning news beat writer, posted yesterday....

9. We're now hearing stories from other media that AJ was traded for various reasons, not dissatisfaction with him. What's the truth?

There are now 4 stories in the media.

VERSION 1 (FISH) - Avery didnt want him.
VERSION 2 (STEIN) - Mavs couldn't pass up the money/pick.
VERSION 3 (INGRAM) - Mavs needed to clear a roster space for a different trade, one that didnt happen
VERSION 4 (BUCHER) - AJ wanted minutes and asked to be traded.

I dont have any independent verification of the truth or falseness of any of those accounts. But in thinking through the versions LOGICALLY (and in knowing Fish's access to Mavs sources), I really gotta go with Fish's version. Here's why.

First of all, in looking at the fact that there are four yes FOUR versions being reported, you come to the conclusion that someone somewhere is blowing some smoke in a mild coverup of the true story.

The only version that I can see being true, where the Mavs would also toss out red herrings to keep the truth from being told, is Fish's version. Avery wouldn't burn a veteran player - it's just not his style - so if he got rid of one out of displeasure, he's still gonna want to find a way to keep from dissing the player.

Second, if I look at the various options, none really make sense except Fish's.

To believe Stein, you are saying that AJ was doing everything they wanted, and he wanted to be here, but the Mavs took a productive useful player who was their 3rd string insurance policy and got rid of him over MONEY. Money and a future pick was more important than a le run, this says. If the Mavs end up thin at PG, that's not nearly as important as some cash in Cuban's pocket.

I just don't buy that. After all the money he's spent over the years to get a team that can win, with the end now in sight, I dont believe Cuban would jeopardize it with a sudden cash grab. It just doesn't wash.

I do see where the money/pick combo was a nice benefit to making this trade. But if Avery really wanted AJ on this team, don't you think what they can get back becomes irrelevant? The goal on this team is to win this le, not to amass cash or future prospects. If Avery wants him here and sees him as something that may help them win a le, he stays. Instead he's gone.

[LEONARD]

But he's not around the team and doesn't know anything.

You sure have a knack for commenting on things that you obviously don't have a clue about...

[MajorMike]

You sure have a knack for commenting on things that you obviously don't have a clue about...

Prove it.

[LEONARD]

Prove it.

You called out a guy that you had NO CLUE about and he's a beat writer for the Mavs that spends a lot of time with the team...

and any MMA thread that you post in is proof too...

[sandman]

Second, if I look at the various options, none really make sense except Fish's.

To believe Stein, you are saying that AJ was doing everything they wanted, and he wanted to be here, but the Mavs took a productive useful player who was their 3rd string insurance policy and got rid of him over MONEY. Money and a future pick was more important than a le run, this says. If the Mavs end up thin at PG, that's not nearly as important as some cash in Cuban's pocket.

I just don't buy that.

Was not Stein at one point a Mavs beat writer, or covered the NBA for a Dallas paper? Does he still not live in the DFW area? Why would Stein's contacts and sources be any less credible than Fish's? Not that I care, but it would seem that credibility is an issue in this thread.

[MajorMike]

Look at me... I'm posting frivolous opinion and banter and making fun of you without any shred of feasible proof to back it up!

I think I'll add a funny face to accentuate my point because that's all I have to offer...

[LEONARD]

Look at me... I'm posting frivolous opinion and banter and making fun of you without any shred of feasible proof to back it up!

I think I'll add a funny face to accentuate my point because that's all I have to offer...

Wow...ok, forget this thread...are you saying you DO know something about MMA?? Don't bother with an answer...

[MajorMike]

Oh, look... puppies...

capt mike you are a dummy

Love me for who I am and shut up if you don't like me!

mma rulz! peace out.

[Bruno]

There are now 4 stories in the media.

VERSION 1 (FISH) - Avery didnt want him.
VERSION 2 (STEIN) - Mavs couldn't pass up the money/pick.
VERSION 3 (INGRAM) - Mavs needed to clear a roster space for a different trade, one that didnt happen
VERSION 4 (BUCHER) - AJ wanted minutes and asked to be traded.

I dont have any independent verification of the truth or falseness of any of those accounts. But in thinking through the versions LOGICALLY (and in knowing Fish's access to Mavs sources), I really gotta go with Fish's version.

Or you can go with the 4 stories :
Avery wasn't a fan of Johnson play/work ethic/a ude so he doesn't give him a lot of playtime. Johnson was qutie disapointed by that and said Mavs' FO that he wasn't against being traded. So Mavs have tested the trade market and they have traded him when they saw an offer that allow them to save money, get a pick and open a roster space for a future trade or for signing an extra big after Mbenga injury.

[dallaskd]

Johnson didnt like Dallas except for the fact that they were winners. Although the DMN said Anthony was mad about being traded even if it means more playing time.