Newz Forum: BASKETBALL: Mavericks' Johnson named NBA Coach of Year

The most incredible thing to me is that it took him only 62 games to get to 50 wins, quicker than any coach, ever. That is impressive. Of course, he did inherit a heck of a team. But, he made them gel, and stressed the need for "D".

Yahoo Sports Story Link

After helping the Dallas Mavericks get defensive, Avery Johnson received a prestigious honor.

Johnson, whose Mavericks set a new franchise record for fewest points allowed per game, on Tuesday was named the NBA's Coach of the Year in his first full season with the Western Conference power.

Johnson received 63 first-place votes and 419 points. Phoenix's Mike D'Antoni, the winner last year, was second with 27 first-place votes and 247 points, while Detroit's Flip Saunders was third with 18 and 223, respectively.