The REAL dirt on Avery Johnson

[JamStone]

"Tom Gugliotta is a SUPERSTAR!"

Never saw that one coming...

Oh so sensitive.

[monosylab1k]

Never saw that one coming...

Oh so sensitive.

America, eatin' my lunch from a single bowl in my parents basement, where I'm livin'. Happy Birthday, I'm forty-three.

Don't want to waste those precious calories...chewin'. Jesus come move my jaw for me, help me get my sloppy food down my throat.

[timvp]

Because nothing changes in 3 and a half years, right?

AJ was even more of an azzhole during his playing days. He's actually mellowed over the last few years. He was maniacal in his final few seasons in San Antonio.

If Pop was willing to bring him back then, he'd have no problem with this mellowed out version of AJ. The only reason it likely won't happen is because he'll get a head coaching job somewhere else.

A lot of that "friend's" "take" is just laughable. AJ didn't learn anything in SA? That doesn't even make sense. AJ was Pop's right hand man when creating the system the Spurs use today. The pick-and-roll heavy offense? That was AJ's X's and O's. You can't say AJ didn't learn anything in SA when he and Pop were basically 50/50 head coaches in '99. Ask Pop and he'll tell you AJ was as much of a coach of that team as he was.

Tim Duncan doesn't hate AJ. He went out of his way recently to praise AJ and say he was a great coach. Before the Spurs played the Lakers in '03 and '04, Duncan and AJ met to talk about strategy against the Lakers' defense. Outside of Pop, AJ is the coaching figure in the NBA who Duncan most looks to for tips ... before and after his playing days.

Retiring his number as a way to keep him away from the franchise? That doesn't even make sense. If Pop wanted to ostracize AJ, all he'd have to do is tell him to GTFO. Nobody would have cared if his number wasn't retired. Most Spurs fans were against it. Most of the ownership group was against it. It was basically just Pop giving recognition to a player who had a major role in developing the Spurs' winning organization -- from game strategies, to player management to the dedication to winning.

I completely believe AJ is a control freak and a guy who can jump on his players. I can believe he can even go overboard. But you can say the same thing about Pop. If he didn't win a championship in the season he did, he was about to be run out of town for being "too mean", "too much of a control freak", "too menacing", etc. Winning cures all.

But yeah, tell the "friend" to stop pulling things out of his nether regions.

Thanks.

[monosylab1k]

AJ was even more of an azzhole during his playing days. He's actually mellowed over the last few years. He was maniacal in his final few seasons in San Antonio.

If Pop was willing to bring him back then, he'd have no problem with this mellowed out version of AJ. The only reason it likely won't happen is because he'll get a head coaching job somewhere else.

A lot of that "friend's" "take" is just laughable. AJ didn't learn anything in SA? That doesn't even make sense. AJ was Pop's right hand man when creating the system the Spurs use today. The pick-and-roll heavy offense? That was AJ's X's and O's. You can't say AJ didn't learn anything in SA when he and Pop were basically 50/50 head coaches in '99. Ask Pop and he'll tell you AJ was as much of a coach of that team as he was.

Tim Duncan doesn't hate AJ. He went out of his way recently to praise AJ and say he was a great coach. Before the Spurs played the Lakers in '03 and '04, Duncan and AJ met to talk about strategy against the Lakers' defense. Outside of Pop, AJ is the coaching figure in the NBA who Duncan most looks to for tips ... before and after his playing days.

Retiring his number as a way to keep him away from the franchise? That doesn't even make sense. If Pop wanted to ostracize AJ, all he'd have to do is tell him to GTFO. Nobody would have cared if his number wasn't retired. Most Spurs fans were against it. Most of the ownership group was against it. It was basically just Pop giving recognition to a player who had a major role in developing the Spurs' winning organization -- from game strategies, to player management to the dedication to winning.

I completely believe AJ is a control freak and a guy who can jump on his players. I can believe he can even go overboard. But you can say the same thing about Pop. If he didn't win a championship in the season he did, he was about to be run out of town for being "too mean", "too much of a control freak", "too menacing", etc. Winning cures all.

But yeah, tell the "friend" to stop pulling things out of his nether regions.

Thanks.

It is what it is. I don't claim to have any of this knowledge firsthand, and I don't won't even say that I 100% believe everything it says. Obviously a couple days after his firing, the entire DFW area is still largely anti-Avery. I was asked by a "friend" who has legitimate connections to the Mavs to pass this along, so I did. He got it from someone who covers basketball at an all-sports network. I was asked not to reveal names so I won't. It obviously doesn't hold any weight with you, so cool beans.

[TheSanityAnnex]

*insert mono's I got nothing but a food commercial reply here*

[monosylab1k]

*insert mono's I got nothing but a food commercial reply here*

not a food commercial.

America, eatin' my lunch from a single bowl in my parents basement, where I'm livin'. Happy Birthday, I'm forty-three.

Don't want to waste those precious calories...chewin'. Jesus come move my jaw for me, help me get my sloppy food down my throat.

[JamStone]

America, eatin' my lunch from a single bowl in my parents basement, where I'm livin'. Happy Birthday, I'm forty-three.

Don't want to waste those precious calories...chewin'. Jesus come move my jaw for me, help me get my sloppy food down my throat.

You can be so cute and cuddly sometimes, I could just pet you.

Who's a good boy? Who's a good boy?

[Shank]

A lot of that "friend's" "take" is just laughable. AJ didn't learn anything in SA? That doesn't even make sense. AJ was Pop's right hand man when creating the system the Spurs use today. The pick-and-roll heavy offense? That was AJ's X's and O's. You can't say AJ didn't learn anything in SA when he and Pop were basically 50/50 head coaches in '99. Ask Pop and he'll tell you AJ was as much of a coach of that team as he was.

Wow - didn't know Avery Johnson created the pick-and-roll offense. You learn something every day, I guess.

And you're talking X's and O's. I think mono was talking more about how to manage a team as a coach - from practices, handling players, picking the right time to praise or criticize a player, working with your owner, in-game adjustments, etc.

[mavs>spurs2]

AJ was even more of an azzhole during his playing days. He's actually mellowed over the last few years. He was maniacal in his final few seasons in San Antonio.

Stackhouse actually had to be restrained from going after him a couple years back, sounds like the same maniac to be able to provoke that in a player. He's rumored to scream and degrade his players more than actually coaching them. Sounds like the same crazed lunatic to me.

If Pop was willing to bring him back then, he'd have no problem with this mellowed out version of AJ. The only reason it likely won't happen is because he'll get a head coaching job somewhere else.

This statement has the same credibility as the one by Mono's "friend," unless you and Coach Pop happen to be real life buddies. And AJ's next head coaching job remains to be seen.

A lot of that "friend's" "take" is just laughable.

So is you passing off your takes to be fact.

AJ didn't learn anything in SA? That doesn't even make sense. AJ was Pop's right hand man when creating the system the Spurs use today. The pick-and-roll heavy offense? That was AJ's X's and O's.

Proof? Were you actually an assistant coach in the organization at the time? Who gave you access to such inside information that the rest of the world has never seen? Funny how the Mavs never run many pick and rolls since that is his "X's and O's." All he ever wanted to run in Dallas was the Iso offense.

You can't say AJ didn't learn anything in SA when he and Pop were basically 50/50 head coaches in '99.

Actually, yes I can. Either that or it was all thrown out the window when he came to Dallas.

Tim Duncan doesn't hate AJ. He went out of his way recently to praise AJ and say he was a great coach. Before the Spurs played the Lakers in '03 and '04, Duncan and AJ met to talk about strategy against the Lakers' defense. Outside of Pop, AJ is the coaching figure in the NBA who Duncan most looks to for tips ... before and after his playing days.

All that is just what you see on the outside. TD is a classy guy, he isn't going to publicly throw anyone under the bus. Truth is, only Tim Duncan knows Tim Duncan's true inner feelings towards AJ.

But yeah, tell the "friend" to stop pulling things out of his nether regions.

Thanks.

Relay that message to timvp

[word]

I never really got Avery as a coach but ...who knows. Dallas certainly pissed away their 'window' as it were, especially against the hapless Heat but, happens. Truth is, there really aren't that many good coaches out there at any level in any sport. A select few take it to a science.

[GuerillaBlack]

It is what it is. I don't claim to have any of this knowledge firsthand, and I don't won't even say that I 100% believe everything it says. Obviously a couple days after his firing, the entire DFW area is still largely anti-Avery. I was asked by a "friend" who has legitimate connections to the Mavs to pass this along, so I did. He got it from someone who covers basketball at an all-sports network. I was asked not to reveal names so I won't. It obviously doesn't hold any weight with you, so cool beans.

No its not. I live here, and it is a 50/50 split.

[monosylab1k]

No its not. I live here, and it is a 50/50 split.

I live here too, and it's most definitely not a 50/50 split.

[word]

A friend of mine with connections to the Mavs organization wanted me to pass this along

come on....thread over....never should have started.

[GuerillaBlack]

I live here too, and it's most definitely not a 50/50 split.

Yes it is. At worst, a 60-40 split, in favor of Avery leaving.

[BonnerDynasty]

Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe yourself.

hahahahahahahah

[monosylab1k]

Yes it is. At worst, a 60-40 split, in favor of Avery leaving.

All this coming from a Rockets fan.

[Indazone]

Avery is an asshole.

Cuban is a whiny little .

Josh Howard is a pothead.

Kidd can't shoot the ball.

Any more insightful, earth-shattering, inside news your friends wants to share with the public?

LMAO and that my friends pretty much describes the current Dallas Mavericks to a T.

[GuerillaBlack]

All this coming from a Rockets fan.

What does me being a Rockets fan have anything to do with it?

[remingtonbo2001]

America, eatin' my lunch from a single bowl in my parents basement, where I'm livin'. Happy Birthday, I'm forty-three.

Don't want to waste those precious calories...chewin'. Jesus come move my jaw for me, help me get my sloppy food down my throat.

I knew this was coming.

Hate to say it Mono, but I think you just got owned by timvp.

It sounds like there are some overly sensetive Mavericks on the squad.

It takes hard work to win a championship. And sometimes feelings are hurt in the process. It happens. However, those that succeed usually get over it.

An example, Tony Parker and Popovich. There were many points during Tony's career were Pop was all over his ass. However, Tony stuck with the plan and he improved. Not everyone is emotional capable of handeling that type of criticism, especially when they've been pampered for most of their careers.

[Biggems]

Avery is an asshole.

Cuban is a whiny little .

Josh Howard is a pothead.

Kidd can't shoot the ball.

Any more insightful, earth-shattering, inside news your friends wants to share with the public?

You left off the part about Dirk being a choke artist and totally disappearing when it matters most.

[word]

Wow - didn't know Avery Johnson created the pick-and-roll offense. You learn something every day, I guess.

Ownership has it's privileges. delete...ban...change...* *...did I say that ?

You should start a 'west coast offense' thread in the NFL forum and see who understands that, or it's origins. WIKIPEDIA experts come out come out wherever you are...

I laugh...he's apparently a good dude. Every once in a while I read his post game threads. Same as any board that people own. They believe people care and there are those that will blow them for a pass.

Avery invented the 'pick and roll'.

Seeya....

[Mavs<Spurs]

A friend of mine with connections to the Mavs organization wanted me to pass this along. I won't say who he is, so you can take it however you like, but I promise you that it's a legitimate side of the story.

-monosylab1k

Avery Johnson is a tyrant. He's mean. He's controlling. He treats others like . And he will NEVER rejoin the San Antonio Spurs in any capacity.

Behind the scenes, Avery Johnson yells and demeans his players any chance he gets. He thinks he knows how to run a team, thanks to his time under Popovich and the Spurs. But the truth is - he didn't pick up a damn thing in all his time in the silver and black. And to go even further than that - Popovich wouldn't have him anywhere near his sideline or his players. Tim Duncan dislikes Avery and wouldn't play under him. The jersey retirement ceremony? That was a concession by Popovich as a way to say "Thanks for all you've done. The line ends here and this is as close to this organization that you'll ever get". Spurs fans may not want to believe this, but it's the truth. You'll never see Avery roaming the sidelines for your beloved team thanks to his inability to treat people as human beings, opting to yell and insult rather than teach and motivate. Popovich doesn't believe in his abilities as a coach.

His grating style worn thin very quickly in Dallas. How would anyone want to play under a coach that would spend most of practice yelling aimlessly at his players, like some crazed lunatic? The casual observer would see Avery as some nice, respectful, easy to love coach with a heart of gold. But that couldn't be further from the truth. He cared for his players - we'll give him that much. But they refused to play under his regime any longer and, as we saw, tuned him out very quickly.

He's a control freak and a menace. I feel for any team that would buy into his bull and hire him on as their head coach. You'll see something of an immediate "spark", but quickly see the life and the will sucked out of his players as they start to question their own talent and, eventually, those that are supposed to be leading them.

Truth, monosyllabic (sp?), I think that he is a good coach and better than most coaches in the NBA and better than any that are available.

You can't fire every coach that doesn't win the le.

Yes, I understand the argument: Progressively from 1. having a 13 point lead up 2-0 against the Heat and then losing the next four games and then 2. having a great regular season and losing to the number 8 seed in the first round of the playoffs and then 3. having a mediocre regular season and losing in the first round of the playoffs.

So, yes I understand that argument.

But Josh Howard off court issues didn't help anything.

West is the best.

He did dramatically improve your team's defense (like 2 years ago). He did get Dirk to shoot fewer 3s and post up more.


I still think that he's a very good coach.

Just my opinion.

[SpurOutofTownFan]

A friend of mine with connections to the Mavs organization wanted me to pass this along. I won't say who he is, so you can take it however you like, but I promise you that it's a legitimate side of the story.

-monosylab1k

Avery Johnson is a tyrant. He's mean. He's controlling. He treats others like . And he will NEVER rejoin the San Antonio Spurs in any capacity.

Behind the scenes, Avery Johnson yells and demeans his players any chance he gets. He thinks he knows how to run a team, thanks to his time under Popovich and the Spurs. But the truth is - he didn't pick up a damn thing in all his time in the silver and black. And to go even further than that - Popovich wouldn't have him anywhere near his sideline or his players. Tim Duncan dislikes Avery and wouldn't play under him. The jersey retirement ceremony? That was a concession by Popovich as a way to say "Thanks for all you've done. The line ends here and this is as close to this organization that you'll ever get". Spurs fans may not want to believe this, but it's the truth. You'll never see Avery roaming the sidelines for your beloved team thanks to his inability to treat people as human beings, opting to yell and insult rather than teach and motivate. Popovich doesn't believe in his abilities as a coach.

His grating style worn thin very quickly in Dallas. How would anyone want to play under a coach that would spend most of practice yelling aimlessly at his players, like some crazed lunatic? The casual observer would see Avery as some nice, respectful, easy to love coach with a heart of gold. But that couldn't be further from the truth. He cared for his players - we'll give him that much. But they refused to play under his regime any longer and, as we saw, tuned him out very quickly.

He's a control freak and a menace. I feel for any team that would buy into his bull and hire him on as their head coach. You'll see something of an immediate "spark", but quickly see the life and the will sucked out of his players as they start to question their own talent and, eventually, those that are supposed to be leading them.

Thank you for making my point true. I knew it all along.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

This is the same guy who once told David Robinson that Jesus hated him because he didn't make the most of his God-given talent. Sounds like the same dude to me...

you can't be serious.

[Ninja-Defense]

All of this reminds of something Chucky Brown said soon after he was waived by the Spurs during the late 90s, I think.

I remember him saying that AJ was a "snake in the grass" or something to that effect. I was in high school at the time and was shocked by that statement cuz AJ was the "Little General" who was all Christian and stuff.

Anyway, I guess everything came to a head for me with AJ during the Spurs-Mavs '06 series cuz I've hated him ever since.