Apr 30, 2008 - 2:47 PM
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One day after being eliminated from the Western Conference playoffs, the Mavericks fired Johnson on Wednesday, ending his bittersweet and tumultuous tenure as Dallas' head coach.
The most successful coach in franchise history, Johnson guided the Mavericks to their first NBA Finals appearance in 2006 and coached them to the league's best record the following season.
"It is never easy to relieve a coach of his duties, especially one of Avery's caliber," Mavs owner Mark Cuban said. "He is a talented coach, and I want to thank him for his efforts over the last four years and what he has done for this franchise. We wish him well in the future."
Despite posting a 194-70 record in his three-plus seasons with the Mavs, Johnson ultimately will be defined as a major disappointment, as Dallas consistently underachieved in the postseason under his watch.
Dallas squandered a 2-0 series lead to the Miami Heat in the 2006 Finals and was upset by the eighth-seeded Golden State Warriors in the first round of last year's playoffs.
Despite acquiring All-Star point guard Jason Kidd at the trade deadline this season, Dallas struggled down the stretch and finished 51-31, claiming the seventh seed in the Western Conference.
The Mavericks were ousted from the postseason in five games by the New Orleans Hornets, who clinched the best-of-seven series with a 99-94 victory Tuesday.
Johnson's job reportedly was in jeopardy prior to the postseason following an emotional argument with Cuban last month. Cuban did not speak to the media after Tuesday's loss to New Orleans.
Johnson, 43, became the fastest coach in NBA history to record 50 wins, achieving the feat in just 62 games. Dallas finished the 2005-06 season with a 60-22 record, earning Johnson the NBA Coach of the Year Award.
A New Orleans native, Johnson also became the fastest coach to reach the 100-win mark the following season, when the Mavericks went 67-15.
"I would like to thank Avery for his valuable contributions to the Mavericks organization," general manager Donnie Nelson said. "Over the past four years, he has been an integral part of our team's success."
