Dallas Mavericks second-year coach Avery Johnson often described something that was successful as being “well documented” during his playing days. But with other teams getting bigger play this season, the Mavericks’ winning ways have been far from well-documented.
“In some ways, we fly under the radar,” Johnson, a former Nugget, said in a recent interview. “But I think a lot of the teams that we play against think we are a decent basketball team, and that’s why they are so highly motivated to play against us.
“We don’t really brag. We don’t get a lot of headlines nationally. Detroit and San Antonio should get a lot of them. They played in the (2005) Finals. San Antonio has won three championships. Detroit has won several championships, and they’ve been there two years in a row. A lot of us that are trying to get to that status, we’ve got a long way to go.”
The Mavericks entered the weekend with a surprising 33-10 record that tied them for the best record in the West along with the reigning champion Spurs. Dallas, unfortunately, plays in the same Southwest Division as San Antonio. Even if the teams finish with the top records in the West, the second- place team in the division will get only a fourth seed in the playoffs. The three division winners get the top three seeds. Expect the Spurs to win the Southwest.
One thing San Antonio can’t get in the way of is Johnson being named the West’s all-star coach. Because Spurs coach Gregg Popovich earned that honor last year, he can’t repeat. Johnson clinched the honor as a result of Dallas’ 102-93 win Wednesday at Golden State.
“I don’t think much about it unless it’s brought up in the media or with a family or a friend,” Johnson said. “But if you are in that situation you’d be honored to do it. It lets you know that your team is playing some decent basketball.
“Really and truly, I’d rather be coach of the month in June. I’d rather Dirk Nowitzki be player of the month in June. Because if something like that happens, the All-Star Game is not our goal. We’re trying to build a system where we put ourselves in position to compete for a championship.”
Why are the Mavericks one of the West’s top teams?
Start with Nowitzki, who is having one of his best seasons. Only the glut of marquee forwards in the West – Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Amare Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, Elton Brand, Pau Gasol and Shawn Marion – keeps Nowitzki from getting more headlines. Point guard Jason Terry is quietly having a solid season and knocking down clutch 3-pointers. Johnson also made a bold move that has paid off by putting veteran center Erick Dampier on the bench in favor of newcomer DeSagana Diop.
Even with their sterling record, there are many reasons NBA followers aren’t yet sold on Dallas.
For one, Dallas isn’t as sexy a team as it was with Steve Nash and Michael Finley in the backcourt. And Dallas appears to be one star from making the Spurs nervous. As are the Suns, who will be tough to beat with a healthy Stoudemire. Johnson doesn’t have the depth of San Antonio, Phoenix, Denver and Sacramento, and ultimately that will seal Dallas’ fate come playoff time.
But considering how he had to earn respect throughout his entire NBA career after signing as an undrafted free agent, Johnson is used to having to prove himself.
“We have to prove our worth, be consistent,” Johnson said. “We aren’t there yet. Hopefully, one day we are.”
Kings work to get Artest
Sacramento Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof worked hard on the Ron Artest trade for five-plus hours Tuesday while at the NBA Entertainment offices in Secaucus, N.J.The Maloof brothers left that night spent and dejected after hearing Artest rejected the trade to the Kings in exchange for Peja Stojakovic. After hanging up the phone with Kings management, a stunned Gavin said: “The deal, the deal, the deal’s off. Eleventh hour. Eleventh hour. The deal’s off. I can’t believe it.”
Said Joe: “This is a tough one to handle. It’s not going to work.”
On Wednesday, Artest approved the trade. The Maloof’s initial disappointment footage will be aired on a future episode of “NBA Access with Ahmad Rashad.”
Footnotes
Free-agent guard Willie Green is ahead of schedule after offseason surgery on his left knee. He is expected to be cleared to return by late February. While Philadelphia is expected to re-sign Green, he is likely to be pursued by other teams. … With Artest traded, expect Atlanta forward Al Harrington to be the next big name moved before the Feb. 23 trading deadline. Atlanta loves Nuggets injured forward-center Nene, but don’t expect Denver to give in. … After a short stint with the Los Angeles Clippers, former East High star Kaniel Dickens is back in Denver working out and trying to land a spot with another team. … Artest won’t play a road game at Detroit this season because the Kings have already played there. He has not played at Detroit since his involvement in a Nov. 19, 2004, fight with Pistons fans that led to his 73-game suspension. … Nuggets forward Anthony is slated to attend the celebrity-studded Zo & Magic 8-Ball Challenge on Feb. 16 in Houston, which will be hosted by
Miami’s Alonzo Mourning, former NBA star Magic Johnson and rapper/actress Queen Latifah.
Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-820-5449 or mspears@denverpost.com. Spears can also be heard weekly talking about the NBA on ESPN 560 AM on Thursday mornings on “The Press Box” and on “Roundball Rap” at 4 p.m.
