NBA Offseason: Denver Nuggets Should Campaign for Avery Johnson

After a successful start to his coaching career with the Dallas Mavericks, Avery Johnson was fired earlier this offseason.

During his four-year tenure with the Mavs, Johnson went 264-190 with a winning percentage of .735.

The 2006 Coach of the Year is currently without a head coaching job—and won't stay unemployed for long.

Currently candidates for him would be:

Chicago Bulls

Washington Wizards

Denver Nuggets

New Jersey Nets

Los Angeles Clippers

Based on those teams above, I think The Little General should bark out commands to the Denver Nuggets.

I'm still puzzled why Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke decided to allow George Karl to return for the future 2008-09 season. 

Here Is Why Avery Johnson Should Coach The Nuggets:

1. Johnson is a defensive-minded coach who shows toughness and passion for the game unlike current coach, the emotionless George Karl. Avery should be able to work wonders with the Nuggets and has the skill to transform their defense into one of the best in the league, provided a few personel changes occur.

 2. If Avery Johnson is able to turn around the Nuggets sorry defense and lead them to a No. 3 seed or higher in the Western Conference, next season, a second Coach of the Year award will be his.

 3. Another drawing point would be if Denver drafted a young point guard in the upcoming draft and allowed Johnson to take him under his wing and mold him, as he did with Devin Harris before he was traded away.

If the Nuggets decide to take one, it will be Ty Lawson.

Also the similarities between the two may even have more a factor on his decision:

Ty Lawson 5-11 195-200lbs

Avery Johnson 5-11 180lbs

 Here Is What Must Happen For Johnson To Coach In Denver:

1. Allen Iverson will have to be gone. I believe if he becomes their coach with A.I. still on the roster, his first act as their coach will be attempting to trade Iverson to acquire a few players of his liking. Its been done in Golden State with Don Nelson (Murphy, Dunleavy-Jackson, Harrington deal), in Boston with Doc Rivers (Ray Allen trade), and it won't be the last. 

2. A defense specialist will have to be added, preferably at point guard or at the power forward position, but one at shooting guard works as well. Yes, Avery is a good defensive coach—but you simply can't surround him with players that object to the shuffle of feet or the contest of a shot. 

3. Lastly, the Nuggets ownership must be on the same page with Johnson step by step if he does coach in Denver. Avery and Mark Cuban in Dallas constantly had differences of opinions, and it reflected in the Mavs style of play (Cuban preferred fast, while L.G. wanted to slow down the tempo at times) and throughout the media.

Its safe to say, that if Avery Johnson coached Denver, nothing is out of reach and the possibilities are endless.