Talk:Avery Johnson Named Coach of the Year/@comment-ASwaff-2006042683934

I don&quot;t think the decision was just based on wins. I think the decision was based on wins, in conjunction with the fact that while everyone had Dallas pegged as a playoff team (as they have been the last few years), it was Johnson&quot;s commitment to playing defense that turned the Mavs from a mere playoff team to a contender for the best record in the West, and a legitimate championship contender. Before, they were in the playoffs, but everyone knew that they wouldn&quot;t win without defense. It&quot;s the new style of play that Avery brought to this team that earned him coach of the year.