Avery Wasn't The Problem

Everyone saw it coming. Two first round departures in the past two seasons for the Dallas Mavericks. Avery Johnson is hit with some type of playoff bug after taking the team to the Finals against the Heat three years ago.

Before the season ended this year and the team down 3-1 against the New Orleans, the heated debates picked up about how Avery needs to go. He ruined the chance with their new point guard who was suppose to lead this team far into the playoffs. But Avery was too controlling. He wanted defense, something this team desperately needed after the Nellie days of free flowing offense, which gets you nowhere. Take D'Antoni for example.

Now the Mavericks are on the verge of picking up Rick Carlisle, who has somewhat of the same type of regular season and playoff record that Avery had. This of course is after the Mavericks said they were in no rush to find the replacement, to find the perfect coach that will fit this core team as it was stated none of the players are going anywhere anytime soon, which is probably a lie as well.

Everyone blamed Avery for his stubbornness on controlling the offense. Now the Mavericks are going to hire a guy who is claimed to be just as controlling. Some are calling him the White Avery even.

I don't think Mavericks fans were provided the whole truth. I don't believe Avery was the problem at this point with the upper management making drastic and most likely costly decisions that make no sense. I think the only people to blame of the failure of the Mavericks at this point is the executives and owner.

Now with the rush to hire the first guy interviewing for the job, I'll probably be writing the same thing 3 years from now when we fail to get any further than the first round in the post season and Carlisle will be looking for a new coaching gig. I hope I'm wrong of course about Carlisle if he's hired.