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By EDDIE SEFKO/ The Dallas Morning News
Avery Johnson is not tiptoeing around this temporary gig as the Mavericks' coach.
Diving into it headfirst is more like it. In fact, he spent Friday throwing out words like "special" and "championship" in talking about the Mavericks. And he did it without the slightest trace of sarcasm.
Johnson, who tonight will coach his sixth game in relief of Don Nelson, believes the Mavericks' 28-13 first half has provided signs that they could be championship material if things break their way. And he's not talking about next season or beyond.
Never mind that the Mavericks haven't won a division title since 1987, let alone an NBA title. Optimism is running amok at American Airlines Center.
"As a coach, you're never satisfied," Johnson said. "A couple of problem areas, we have to get better in. And if we do, then we can have a really special season. And I want them to get that taste in their mouths."
And what does "a special season" mean?
"A championship," he said. "I've been to the Western Conference finals with this team. A championship is the only thing that's left for this franchise."
And is that genuinely realistic?
"I better go back to The Woodlands, Texas, if it's not," Johnson said, referring to his off-season home. "The only reason why we're here is to win a championship.
"It's very realistic for this team. And I'm trying to get them thinking that way."
The Mavericks are tied for the fifth-best record in the league. Three of the teams ahead of them are in the West. But there is legitimate reason to think they are on the same level with all of those teams with the exception of San Antonio.
And at least one Maverick thinks the Spurs aren't out of reach, either.
"There's no powerhouse in the league," said Michael Finley. "A lot of people are putting San Antonio and Miami at the top. But in my opinion, there are no clear-cut favorites."
Finley said he believes the NBA is repeating last season, when everybody had the Los Angeles Lakers booked in as NBA champions. Detroit beat LA in the Finals.
"The team that's playing consistent ball at the right time could walk away with the title," Finley said. "And that's the point where we're trying to get right now."
Finley's co-captain, Dirk Nowitzki, agreed that the Mavericks should set their goals high for the rest of the season.
"Good teams don't play their best basketball early," Nowitzki said. "If we continue to work with Avery every day in practice, in the end, we're right there with as good a shot as anybody."
Johnson: Mavs need to be thinking 'title'
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