Sorry Avery, It's time to Go

Over the past few years, Dallas Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban has remained steadfast on one thing, and that was he would not trade Dirk Nowitzki. Instead, Cuban and company brought in the 'missing link' in Jason Kidd who was anything but the veteran leadership the Mavs needed.

In the five games against the Hornets, Kidd averaged less than 8 points and 7 assists per game. Kidd also seemed to completely lose his touch as a shooter. Despite being "Mr. Triple Double" Kidd really added very little value to the franchise and in many cases left scoring opportunities on the court that would have likely been converted by Devin Harris.

While there is certainly plenty of blame that Kidd deserves, and Chris Paul's rise to elite status should be considered, the main problem with this Mavericks' team is Avery Johnson. From his time as a player of the San Antonio Spurs it was evident that Avery Johnson is a natural leader. Johnson is intelligent and intense, but he has lost his team. In the 2007 NBA Playoffs the Mavs were eliminated by the Golden State Warriors after entering the tournament as the top team in the league and an overwhelming favorite.

The true measurement of a coach is the ability prepare for every opponent and rally a team to victory. And while Avery Johnson may do so many things right as a coach, he has been unable to get it done in the playoffs. Much like Rick Carlisle couldn't get over the hump with the Detroit Pistons, Avery Johnson hasn't gotten the most out of his team. Dallas looked like a team without an answer for a New Orleans team which only has two real players needing to be shut down. While David West had a great series, he's still no Dirk Nowitzki.

The only way I can really see Avery Johnson keeping his job is if the Mavs make some major personnel changes in the offseason. Josh Howard, Jason Kidd and Jerry Stackhouse should all be on the chopping block, regardless of Avery's status with the team. Dallas owner Mark Cuban will only tolerate losing for so long, and he's not going to pass up the chance to make his team better for next season.

Even Mike D'Antonio thinks Avery Johnson failed to prepare his team for the playoffs

Barry Zito is a Historic Failure

Today the San Francisco Giants revealed that pitcher Barry Zito, the $126 million man is being relegated to the bullpen. At 0-6 with a 7.53 ERA Zito is one of only three pitchers in history to lose six games in the month of April, joining the elite group, joining Dave Stewart and Mike Maroth.While there is no official word on how long Zito will be backing up the likes of Kevin Correia (1-3, 4.50 ERA) and Matt Cain (0-2, 5.27 ERA), the real question is if he should be called on with the game on the line and what will have to be done in order for him to return to the starting rotation.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say the Giants weren't looking for an $18 million/year middle reliever when they decided to bring on Barry Zito before the 2007 season. Zito is the highest paid pitcher in the majors despite a clear decline in production following his 23-5 Cy Young season of 2002. Zito has won a high of 16 games in a single season since and has had as many losses as wins since the start of 2003.

Even Kerry Wood is making fun of Barry Zito's loss of pitching ability.

Larry Brown ready to coach again, should he be?

Whenever someone with a successful past wants to take one last run at the big show it makes me cringe. Whether it was Michael Jordan lacing up for the Washington Wizards or any other elite athlete making a post-prime return, the potential to add to a legacy is minimal. Instead, we all think the same thing in that the person has no business getting back into the big leagues and should settle away in retirement and coach prep sports in their home town (see Brett Favre).

While normally we talk about players, coaches are often guilty of failing to call it quits. Recently Joe Gibbs proved that while his style of play can be effective at times, it doesn't mean much if the team never responds to it. Bill Parcells left Dallas with work left to be done, and now Larry Brown wants back into the NBA or NCAA to coach basketball. Brown is 67 and already holds titles in the NCAA (Kansas, 1988) and the NBA (Detroit, 2004). As a member of the basketball Hall of Fame Brown has little left to prove. However, after a failed attempt with the Knicks (which I think we all know wasn't exactly his fault, see Isiah Thomas) Brown slipped off the sidelines and into the office as VP of the Philadelphia 76ers.

With the prospect of some high profile collegiate and NBA positions open, Brown has the type of resume that would lure suitors from across the country. However, Brown also has been noted for one very important trait, the ability to rub players the wrong way. Whether it was Allen Iverson or half the Pistons' lineup, Brown doesn't usually make friends. Larry Brown has the ability to make a team better in spite of its efforts, not because of them. When he was in New York, there were simply too many players that didn't want to comply with what coach was saying, and never really wanted to buy in. If Larry Brown seriously wants to get back on the sidelines, he's going to have to adjust to the selfish style of play that roughly 25 NBA franchises play and almost all star college players throw down.

Hey Larry, I'm on your side. Players are too selfish and need the fundamentals, but sadly your message is that of an old man to a bunch of punk kids.

Even Joe Paterno thinks Larry Brown is too washed up to coach again.

Pacman the next Ricky Williams?

Did someone say strip club?

Pacman Jones was just traded from the Tennessee Titans to the Dallas Cowboys for a 4th round draft pick. The trade includes a clause that Pacman has to play significant time and be reinstated by the league or the Titans will have to deal them an undisclosed pick in 2009.

For Pacman Jones this is time for a new start, not as if he hasn't been given that opportunity before, but it is a change of locale this time. Jones will be playing with a team of talented young players and veterans and should help a defense that was already strong a year ago. Jones should also be able to make an instant impact on the kick and punt return teams where Dallas struggled a year ago.

In the contract with Dallas, Jones will receive $0 in guaranteed money (that compares to the $30 million in guarantees for Jake Long in his 5-year contract). What that does for Dallas is ensure they don't get snubbed in the deal if Jones can't be reinstated or relapses into another strip club bender where he gets drunk with naked women and allegedly flees the scene of a crime...allegedly.

So while Dallas did all the things they needed to do to avoid paying out huge sums of money to a player banned from the league, the expectations have to be low for Pacman. The man has already had one major relapse due to strip club withdrawal and as soon as he starts cashing paychecks again he's certain to be spending a weekend at Scores or some other blue-chip "gentlemen's club."

Even Ricky Williams' former agent, rapper Master P, wouldn't have negotiated a contract with $0 in guarantees