[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 48 (Thursday, April 27, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E668]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


CONGRATULATIONS TO AVERY JOHNSON; NBA'S COACH OF THE YEAR FOR 2005-2006

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 27, 2006

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join 
the chorus of Dallas citizens and Mavericks fans across the globe in 
saluting Dallas Mavericks head coach Avery Johnson on his selection as 
the National Basketball Association's Coach of the Year for the 2005-06 
season. In only his first full season as head coach of the Mavericks, 
Avery Johnson is the first coach in the storied history of the 
organization to receive the National Basketball Association's most 
distinguished honor for coaches. This season Coach Johnson led the club 
to an outstanding 60-win season, one of the best in franchise history.
  In March of last year Avery Johnson assumed the duties of head coach 
of the Dallas Mavericks after former head coach Don Nelson decided to 
step down. Prior to the season, Johnson announced his retirement as a 
player in October of 2004 to assume full-time duties as an assistant 
coach. Prior to his coaching debut, Avery compiled a stellar basketball 
resume at both the collegiate and professional levels.
  Avery was a college standout at Southern University where he led the 
NCAA in assists as a junior and senior. He was named the Southwestern 
Athletic Conference Player of the Year and the MVP of the conference 
tournament both seasons as well. He still holds several NCAA Division I 
records including the most assists in a single game, the highest single 
season assists average and the highest career assists average.
  At 5-11 and 180 pounds Avery went undrafted out of college, yet he 
did not let this deter him from his ultimate goal of playing in the 
NBA. He first played for the United States Basketball League with the 
Palm Beach Stingrays in 1988. His tenacious play and rock solid 
leadership led to his signing as a free agent with the Seattle 
Supersonics later that year.
  In his 16-year career with the NBA, Johnson played 1,054 games and 
averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 assists and 1.7 rebounds in 25.3 minutes per 
game. Avery also played in 90 playoff games and started 73 of those 
contests. He has playoff averages of 10.5 points, 6.2 assists and 1.13 
steals in 31.2 minutes per game. In 1999, he was a member of the NBA's 
Championship team.
  Johnson became the 75th player in NBA history to play 1,000 career 
games in March of 2003 and joined Calvin Murphy as the only other 
player under 6-feet in height to reach that milestone. He also reached 
the 5,000 career assists plateau in February of 2000 against the 
Minnesota Timberwolves.
  From 1990-92, he played with San Antonio, Denver, Houston and back to 
San Antonio. In eight of the next nine seasons (1992-2001), he was a 
member of the San Antonio Spurs. He spent one year during that time in 
Golden State (1993-94). He spent his last few seasons with the Denver 
Nuggets, Golden State, and signed with Dallas as a player/coach prior 
to the 2004-05 season prior to entering coaching.
  Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to congratulate Head Coach Avery Johnson 
on his selection as the National Basketball Association's Coach of the 
Year. He is a proven leader and I am certain he will continue to lead 
the Mavericks organization to new heights. GO MAVERICKS!