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Avery Johnson: From Last to First to the Spurs Rafters (Number retired tonight!)
NBA.com ^ | 23 December 2007 | John Hareas

Posted on 12/22/2007 4:43:27 PM PST by Racehorse

The first six years of Johnson’s NBA career saw him play for five different teams. It was a vagabond NBA life that even included being cut on Christmas Eve by the Nuggets. Yet Johnson didn’t just persevere, he ultimately thrived. The man refused to listen to his doubters, many of whom questioned whether he can lead an NBA team.

“You don’t have to be first to come in first,” said Johnson, . . . who recently became the fastest coach in NBA history to reach 150 wins. “You can be last and still come in first. And I was last. I didn’t get drafted. I didn’t play on my high school team. I wasn’t one of the star players. I didn’t go to a big school. I got cut. So a lot of years I was last. But you can go from last to first. Hopefully my dishonor can encourage young people to know not to give up, that you can go from last to first.”

. . . once got cut by the Spurs on the same day he served as a groomsman in David Robinson’s wedding . . .

. . . is as beloved for his work in the San Antonio community as he was for his inspirational play. Whether it was his involvement in the midnight basketball leagues, helping build a family life center or the countless school visits, Johnson made a huge impression.

“. . . you’re not necessarily the one who scores all the points or dunks or the one who is real big in stature, . . . But you go and try to be honest and you work hard and you try to have as much of an impact as you can, and in return you get honored years later."

(Excerpt) Read more at nba.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: averyjohnson; basketball; sanantonio; spurs
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My wife and I are among the thousands of Spurs and Mavericks fans who love, admire and respect the Little General, Avery Johnson.

He truly deserves the honor of having his number retired from the Spurs roster and his jersey hung from the rafters!

1 posted on 12/22/2007 4:43:31 PM PST by Racehorse
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To: Racehorse

Sac Kings fan here, and you get no argument from me.

AJ is the definition of class act...like A.C. Greene before him.


2 posted on 12/22/2007 4:49:06 PM PST by norge
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To: Racehorse
Good to see Avery’s jersey up there with 5-0’s & Sean’s. Now of course we still want to whip the Mavs!!!!But this honor is deserving and needs to be done for one of the good guy’s in the league.
3 posted on 12/22/2007 4:53:01 PM PST by mcspur (Covered by his blood, safe in his arms.)
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To: Racehorse
Avery Johnson is the only reason I will watch the Mavericks, but then again, I'm a Spurs fan.

Avery is and always will be a Class Act. Now if he could teach a little class to the Mav's owner!

4 posted on 12/22/2007 4:56:01 PM PST by WesternPacific
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To: Racehorse

The San Antonio Sterns should retire Tim Donaghy’s jersey.


5 posted on 12/22/2007 4:57:13 PM PST by inkling (exurbanleague.com)
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To: Racehorse

Is this basketball game new? I’ve never heard of it.


6 posted on 12/22/2007 5:53:10 PM PST by Soliton (Vote "next")
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To: inkling

LOL


7 posted on 12/22/2007 5:55:55 PM PST by Hebrews 11:6 (Do you REALLY believe that (1) God is, and (2) God is good?)
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To: Racehorse

Tonight they showed the old clip of AJ going after Steve Nash, and Duncan pulling “The Little General” away from him. AJ said later, “I will not be mishandled by anyone.”

The look of surprise on Nash’s face during the incident was priceless.


8 posted on 12/22/2007 5:56:08 PM PST by sockmonkey
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To: Hebrews 11:6

9 posted on 12/22/2007 6:05:13 PM PST by inkling (exurbanleague.com)
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To: Racehorse

I like A.J. He’s a nice, classy, decent guy in a league of punks.


10 posted on 12/22/2007 6:30:17 PM PST by rogue yam
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To: inkling

Bravo!


11 posted on 12/22/2007 6:57:15 PM PST by Hebrews 11:6 (Do you REALLY believe that (1) God is, and (2) God is good?)
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To: rogue yam

The league hasn’t been the same since Jordan left. And I’m talking about the time he left after 1998, not when he played for the Wizards.


12 posted on 12/22/2007 7:08:47 PM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist (Congratulations Brett Favre! All-time NFL leader in career passing yards)
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To: Racehorse

The San AnPhonio Sterns cheated last year and are frauds.


13 posted on 12/22/2007 7:09:15 PM PST by DogandPonyShow (America, the Light of the World.)
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To: DogandPonyShow
The San AnPhonio Sterns cheated last year and are frauds

Hmmm, Could you be from Arizona?

14 posted on 12/22/2007 7:13:11 PM PST by sockmonkey
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To: sockmonkey

America


15 posted on 12/22/2007 7:32:51 PM PST by DogandPonyShow (America, the Light of the World.)
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To: DogandPonyShow; sockmonkey

Hmmm, Could you be from Arizona?

America

Must be that part of America where mothers do not teach their children proper manners.

16 posted on 12/22/2007 8:58:45 PM PST by Racehorse (Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.)
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To: Racehorse

Luckily I am from the part of America where the mothers marry the fathers.

You?


17 posted on 12/23/2007 5:28:30 AM PST by DogandPonyShow (America, the Light of the World.)
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To: Racehorse

What did he think of the San AnPhonio Sterns cheating last year? Did he speak up about that?


18 posted on 12/23/2007 5:30:43 AM PST by DogandPonyShow (America, the Light of the World.)
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To: DogandPonyShow; Racehorse; Brad's Gramma

DPS... what is your problem? This thread was made (I assume) to honor a man who has done well, overcome odds, and continues to try and be a model for others.

You on the otherhand, have chosen to spit words that have no place on this thread.

Shame on you!! Start a thread of your own. Crawl back in your hateful hole.

Nana


19 posted on 12/23/2007 9:11:38 AM PST by Texas Termite (We give thanks daily.)
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To: Texas Termite

The thread is about the San AnPhonio Sterns and who they are honoring. Since they have no honor they cannot give any honor to anyone, anytime, any place for any reason. They cheated. That is a fact. Get over it.


20 posted on 12/23/2007 10:02:06 AM PST by DogandPonyShow (America, the Light of the World.)
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