Avery Johnson leaves the team with an impressive resume after more than 3 seasons. However, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was not happy with the end result of going 3-12 in the playoffs after blowing a 2-0 lead in the 2006 NBA Finals. The team had to deal with the embarrassment of being ousted by Golden State in the first round last year in one of the biggest upsets in NBA history. The Mavericks didn’t win a game on the road on an impossible-to-return 0-9 skid.

Johnson was a championship-winning point guard from San Antonio. He became Maverick’s coach in training when he joined Don Nelson’s staff in 2004. After a few months, Nelson stepped down, Johnson took over. Dallas went 16-2 the rest of that year and won the playoff series. During his first full season, the team reached the NBA Finals for the first time, making him the NBA’s Coach of the Year.

The Mavericks won 67 games, matching the fifth-most in NBA history. They ended up wasting it with their first-round playoff loss to Nelson and the Warriors. Pundits said Johnson was bested by Miami’s Pat Riley in the final, and then by Nelson. Johnson changed his starting lineup for Game 1 against Golden State despite his team being the heavy favorite.

Johnson’s departure became imminent in the Hornets’ series. He admitted that it was his fault that the team went down 2-0. Later, Josh Howard admitted on local radio proving that he and other NBA players use marijuana. After losing Game 4, Johnson canceled a practice outside of the day, but later discovered that his players worked out without him.

Johnson may not be out of work for long. The Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks are among the teams that need a coach. Either of you may be interested in a coach who preaches discipline and defense. It has not been determined who will succeed Johnson. Cuban inherited Nelson when he bought the team and then the two agreed to groom Johnson. Paul Westphal was on Johnson’s staff and Del Harris is still on the payroll as a consultant. Jeff Van Gundy and Rick Carlisle are other experienced trainers that could be considered. Either way, whoever takes over will inherit a team of expensive, aging players.