Avery Johnson

Avery Johnson is a retired NBA basketball player and suited up for various teams such as Seattle SuperSonics (1988-1990), Denver Nuggets (1990 and 2001-2002), San Antonio Spurs (1991, 1992-1993 and 1994-2001), Houston Rockets (1992), Dallas Mavericks (2002-2003).and the Golden State Warriors (1993-1994 and 2003 to 2004).http://www.nba.com/playerfile/avery_johnson/bio.html

Johnson spent 16 years in the NBA as a player with five different teams, most notably the Spurs. The undrafted Johnson averaged 8.4 points, 1.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 25.3 minutes in 1,054 games. He 10.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.13 steal in 31.2 minutes in 90 playoffs games. He is San Antonio Spurs all-time assist leader with 4,474.http://www.nba.com/playerfile/avery_johnson/ This diminutive 5-10 point guard carries the alias “The Little General,” because of his uncanny ball handling skills and superb teamwork he provides to his former teams.

Johnson was a key member of the Spurs' successful championship campaign in 1999. The Spurs starting point guard, Johnson made a series-clinching shot in Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks. Johnson's jersey number 6 was retired by the Spurs on December 22, 2007.http://www.nba.com/playerfile/avery_johnson/bio.html

He suited up for the Southern University in college. Known to be a good and kindhearted man, Johnson founded Avery Johnson Foundation during the 1995-96 season and did many worthwhile endeavors to his community and to the country as a whole for he won many awards and recognition for his invaluable civic works. He is married to Cassandra Merricks, and has two children, Christianne and Avery Jr.http://www.nba.com/playerfile/avery_johnson/bio.html

In January 23, 2009, it was reported that the Memphis Grizzlies offered the 2006 NBA Coach of the Year Avery Johnson a five-year contract to become head coach of the team. However, Johnson turned down the offer, electing to continue as a studio analyst for TNT.ESPN.com: Sources: Johnson turns down Grizzlies (January 23, 2009)

Johnson was the Dallas Mavericks coach from 2004 to 2008. Johnson signed with the Dallas Mavericks as a player-coach under Don Nelson in 2004. Johnson took over full-time coaching from Nelson on March 19, 2005.

He steered the Mavericks to four playoffs appearance including the franchise's first entry to the NBA Finals in 2006. Johnson led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2006, but they were swept by Miami Heat in four straight games after winning the first two. Johnson's Mavericks wound up with the league's best record at the end of 2007 season, but were yielded in the first round of the playoffs by the Golden State Warriors.

In 2008, after losing again in the first round of the playoffs, Johnson was booted out as the Maverick's head coach by the Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.

At present Johnson is one of the most sought after coach in the league as he is currently being interviewed by teams like New Orleans Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Nets for a possible coaching stint. The Nets expressed their desire to hire Johnson to be their head coach last May 2010.http://www.hoopsnotes.com/2010/05/the-nets-want-avery-johnson-as-coach/