NBA Coaching Carousel: A. Johnson fired, L.Brown hired, M. D'Antoni next to go?

[Roy Hobbs]

Avery Johnson was fired by the Mavs today; he's got a .735 winning percentage, and took his team to the Finals two seasons ago.  However, the Mavs have lost 12 of the last 15 games in the playoffs under Johnson.  He and Cuban didn't get along, and I guess Cuban thought the team needed a change. 

There are also rumors that Mike D'Antoni could be on his way out in Phoenix, due in part to issues with Steve Kerr.  This could be another one of those "change of scenery" type of moves.

Lastly, there's the Charlotte hiring of Larry Brown.  I think it's an interesting fit; that team has some great young players, and a lot of potential defensive talent (Okafor, Wallace).  It'll be interesting to see if Brown gets them all to mesh.

[maxw318]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3375306

Not very suprising after these past two palyoff implosions, I doubt that this is the last move they make this offseason too.

[jay_jay54]

I know its to late,but i had L.Brown in mind for the Celtics,at one point.I know he is a Bobcat coach now,but what if?..i think he would work better,with older players like KG,PP,Ray.Just an opinion,but its to late  anyhow.But D' Antoni wouldn't be a bad catch.I don't think its the coach in that situation...and please do not hire Avery(Boston)

[AHHH GiVE mE a bReaK]

Avery Johnson would have been a perfect fit for the Bobcats. Dont get me wrong Larry Brown is a good coach, but Avery Johnson can bring the necessary energy leadership to a team with a lot of talent and no direction.

Mike D'Antoni with Golden State is too perfect to be true.

If the Celts lose first round, I'm all in favor of hiring Avery Johnson. Im all in favor of hiring Avery Johnson if we win it all as well haha

[Frontierboy]

You can add Doc's name to the list if the C's don't get out of the first round of the playoffs......

I wouldn't mind having Tom Tibideau take over as the head coach for our team.

[Redz]

Avery Johnson was fired by the Mavs today; he's got a .735 winning percentage, and took his team to the Finals two seasons ago.

Both coaches of the contestants in the Finals of just 2 years ago are gonzo.  In the two seasons since Dallas choked it up against the Heat the two teams combined for a total of 3 playoff wins (all by Dallas).  Has there ever been a bigger "aberration" Finals than the 2006 series?

Avery will have no trouble getting a 2nd job.

[Who]

If the Celts lose first round, I'm all in favor of hiring Avery Johnson. Im all in favor of hiring Avery Johnson if we win it all as well haha

Tempting, very tempting

[TripleOT]

Great name for a thread, Hobbs.

I guess when it comes to wins and job security, 50 is the new 40. 

[Amonkey]

It would be interesting to see D'Antoni coaching Toronto.  Remember, Colangelo is the GM for the Raps.

[Scott]

Watching the New Orleans - Dallas series I figured Cuban was going to shake things up.  There is no way I could possibly see them doing nothing after two consecutive first round exits.  I didn't expect to see Avery Johnson fired but looking back I suppose it is not all that surprising considering the reports of a bust up between him and Cuban.  My question is what other changes are in store? 

There is link posted over at RealGM from the Dallas Morning News speculating about the Mavericks moving Josh Howard.  Considering some of the big trades that occurred during the season and the relative lack of success Dallas and Phoenix saw this could be the beginning of an interesting summer.  Time will tell I suppose.

There is growing speculation that the Mavericks could decide to rid themselves of Josh Howard through a trade this summer, according to the Dallas Morning News.

His value may have diminished over the last few months because of his struggles during the playoffs and his recent admission that he smokes marijuana during the offseason, but he's still considered a high-level talent.

"There's always ways to keep the window open, or open the window back up," Dirk Nowitzki said of the Mavericks pending offseason changes. "We all know trades are part of this business. There's always possibilities out there. We'll see what happens this offseason."

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/52279/20080501/could_mavericks_trade_josh_howard/