Dallas Mavericks Fire Head Coach Avery Johnson

In a stunning fall from grace, Avery Johnson was fired as coach of the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, April 30, just two years removed from having led the team to the NBA Finals. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and team president Donnie Nelson informed Johnson of the move the day after the Mavericks were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the New Orleans Hornets. It was the second year in a row that the Mavericks have lost in the first round.

In an interview with Dallas radio station 103.3 ESPN, Johnson said he was not bitter over the firing. "This was something that needed to happen," he said. "It happened. We're all going to go our separate ways. There's no animosity, no bitterness, nothing. We all still really care about each other. It was just time to go in a different direction."

While many players voiced their support for Johnson after learning of his firing, it had become clear this season that many of the players were "tuning out" many of his lectures and had grown tired of his hands-on coaching style. With a strong, outgoing personality that earned him the nickname "The Little General," Johnson rarely hid his feelings and thoughts, but it was rare for the team to rally around him or deliver when he challenged them. The team has been wildly inconsistent this year, and has underachieved in the playoffs under his tenure. The Mavs were 194-70 during the regular season with Johnson as head coach, but 23-24 in the playoffs.

During the New Orleans playoff series, player Josh Howard openly invited players to his birthday party at a local club, hours after Johnson issued an edict not to be out partying when they should be at home resting and mentally preparing for their next game, another sign Johnson had lost the respect and control of the team.

Some have questioned Johnson's coaching decisions as the Mavs struggled. With so many high-priced (and highly talented) players on the roster, many have wondered if he was properly utilizing some young players and stifling some veterans. It was clear that Johnson, who played point guard during his NBA playing career, ran an offense that did not mesh with All-Star Jason Kidd, who came to Dallas in a major trade this winter. It has been argued that Johnson, a highly disciplined player, did not like Kidd's improvising and did not let him run the team on the court.

While no names have been mentioned, there are a number of coaches who could take over the Mavs. Former NBA head coach Paul Westphal is now an assistant with Dallas, as is former player Mario Elie. Former head coach Del Harris, who is often mentioned whenever a coaching spot opens in the NBA, is a special assistant to the Mavs. It is also expected that once the playoffs end, several other coaches may leave or be fired their teams, creating more candidates.