Don Nelson Resigns

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2016984

Nelson Hands Over Mavs
Don Nelson resigned as Mavericks coach "for family and other reasons" Saturday, ESPN.com's Marc Stein reports. Nelson will be replaced by Avery Johnson with immediate effect.

Kind of shocking, but you could see this one coming.

I'm not surprised, but Nelson could've waited a couple months.

How old is Nelly anyway?

I believe he's 64.

i guess it was just a matter of time. I hope this doesn't affect the Mavericks performance

I think most of Nelly's contribution to the Mavs came not during the games, but during game preparation, scouting the opposition, and mostly evaluating talent for the draft. Since he's going to remain in Dallas as a consultant, he can still help the team in these areas. We'll just have to see how AJ handles full-time coaching.

I think everybody knew this was coming. During all the Mavs games I've watched this season it seems that Avery does most of the coaching. I like Avery. Good Luck to him.

Nelson was a great coach, but I love Averey Johnson, I think this teams going to be just as good.

Avery Johnson preaches more defense, Nelson preaches more offense. I think AJ (since he use to play for the Spurs and Greg Popovich) will have the perfect blend of both worlds.

can anyone count the coaching changes this season alone?

can anyone count the coaching changes this season alone?

let's count

before the season
jim o'brien (philadelphia)
doc rivers (boston)
byron scott (new orleans)
bernie bickerstaff (charlotte)
sam mitchell (toronto)
rudy tomjanovich (lakers)

mid-season
mike fratello (memphis)
mike jent (orlando)
kevin mchale (minnesota)
avery johnson (dallas)
herb williams (new york)
mike hamblen (lakers)
george karl (denver)

not that many, but quite a few from the top of my head.

Last edited by jwill2 on Mon Mar 21, 2005 4:09 am, edited 3 times in total.

herb williams ( knicks)

Add Sam Mitchell (Toronto), Rudy Tomjanovich (Lakers) to before the season list, and whoever that new guy is running the Lakers now

George Karl with Denver.....

Add Sam Mitchell (Toronto), Rudy Tomjanovich (Lakers) to before the season list, and whoever that new guy is running the Lakers now

Frank Hamblen.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2016984

Nelson Hands Over Mavs
Don Nelson resigned as Mavericks coach "for family and other reasons" Saturday, ESPN.com's Marc Stein reports. Nelson will be replaced by Avery Johnson with immediate effect.

Kind of shocking, but you could see this one coming.

I agree, if you watch a Mavs game you hear a lot about how Mark Cuban is ready to hand over the Mavs to Avery, and how from time to time even if Don Nelson was at there games he would let Avery take care of the head coaching job from time to time.

I think Avery Johnson will be a great coach, he's not afraid to show his emtions and his players respond to that. I remember one game, although I forgot who the Mavs were playing, Avery really let Finley have it during a time out after Finley was shooting 1-6 from the field and he responded.

From all accounts it was going to happen sooner or later, but I too wouldn't have thought it would come during the season, especially not so close to the playoffs. Seeing as though Avery's coached quite a few games this season (including a few with Nellie serving as an assistant) and has been primed to take over for some time now, I don't expect the change will hurt the Mavericks.

Avery was signed to learn how to coach. He's already done a few games by himself this season... its just that Nelson's resignation came earlier than thought. AJ will go far!

i saw it coming for sure. no surprise

i will miss nelly on the sidelines tho. he was a very good coach

Wat about his son... does he feel rejected that his dad's favouite isnt him but AJ?

I'll miss Nelly's fish ties...

Wat about his son... does he feel rejected that his dad's favouite isnt him but AJ?

Good question.. but his son does have position as president or GM (or both, I think)

I think AJ could become a very good coach

AJ is real good... from what ive heard hes a real nice guy! Hes got a coaches' mentality.. wh ohere reakons we will hear alot of him in the future?

As long as Dallas remains a playoff team out West with a habit of racking up winning streaks throughout the season, I'm sure Avery Johnson's name will come up from time to time.