[bigboydan]

the mavs have really exceled under avery johnson this year. they have a legit shot at beating the spurs this year too, where nelly just could not do at all during his run with the mavs.

[rolemand]

It might be overstating it a bit to say Nellie was a bad coach. The team has changed quite a bit since Nellie has been gone. Nash no longer there. Jason Terry has been a huge addition. Devin Harris and Josh Howard have really improved in their young career. Stackhouse is just in his 2nd year w/ Dallas as well. I'm not saying Nellie would have the team in the same position but the teams are not that comparable. Put Shawn Bradley on this team with the minutes he used to play and let's see where they are.

[presley177]

I think well-respected teammates with a lot of energy(both when they were playing and now that they're coaching) can really get some teams to really play at another level. Like the White Sox in baseball...

Like Rolemand said they got some players in like Terry and that makes a considerable difference but I also think Avery has the perfect mentality and attitude to be a coach and have his teams play well for him.

[Mudcat]

Oh, I don't know. I think there are a lot more factors in this equation than just the coaching change.

I hear talk of some injuries to key Spurs players this year; there is some different personel; everyone is a year older.

Couldn't you just as easily say that Steve Nash is crap because look how much better the Mavs are doing than when he was there?

I don't know. I don't follow the NBA that closely and am the last guy qualified to evaluate the coaches. I thought Nelly had a pretty good reputation in the biz.