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Posted by Mark Barnes Nov 9, 2006 |
Is it reasonable to question last season’s NBA Coach of the Year, only four games into the new campaign? Most people would likely say, Absolutely not.
When that NBA Coach of the Year, however, is Avery Johnson of the Dallas Mavericks, starting the season 0-4 will bring criticism rather quickly.
If the Mavericks had lost a star to free agency, like Detroit did, a winless first week would be acceptable. This isn’t the case with defending Western Conference champ Dallas, though.
The Mavericks have superstar Dirk Nowitzki back with a fat new contract; they have sharpshooter Jason Terry to take heat off of Nowitzki. DeSagana Diop has evolved into a solid center and excellent shot blocker, giving Dallas strength inside. With these factors in mind, a run at the title, seemed like a given, before the season began.
Four games in, though, the Mavericks look like a team in disarray. Outstanding forward Josh Howard is hurt and will miss two to four weeks.
The early-season schedule is not friendly to Dallas, making things even more difficult.
If this losing trend continues, Johnson may quickly go from Coach of the Year to an NBA coach looking for work.