Avery Johnson: "We had the best team (in 1999)"

[spurssheriff]

Speaking at the "LeadYourShip" Kickoff Breakfast for the seventh South Montgomery County YMCA Dragon Boat Team Challenge, Johnson recalled the disappointment of the 1995 Western Conference Championship series when the favored San Antonio Spurs lost to the Houston Rockets. Although the Spurs had won 62 games in the regular season, it was the Rockets who eliminated the Spurs in six games and went on to win their second consecutive NBA title.

The Spurs' starting point guard at that time, Johnson said it was necessary to exorcise a couple of players who had put their own interests above the team's. He credited those changes with helping the Spurs attain their first NBA title in 1999.

"We maybe didn't have the best players (in 1999), but we had the best team," he said. "We had the best team because of leadership and teamwork."

A role player throughout his 16-year professional playing career, Johnson was at the Waterway Marriott Wednesday morning to provide a quick and lighthearted pep talk for the almost 90 people who will captain boats during the races at Northshore Park Sept. 23-25. The dragon boats are 40-foot-long canoes manned by teams of 18 paddlers, one drummer and one flag catcher.

Created to provide "clean, honest fun" for adults, the Dragon Boat Team Challenge has grown in scope and support. The inaugural races attracted 32 teams, while 86 teams - involving approximately 2,000 people - have signed up to participate next month. The challenge also has a race strictly for youth teams.

"You don't have to be an athlete to participate," said Darwin Barnett, group executive director of the South Montgomery County YMCA. "This is an opportunity for teams to cooperate and create a successful strategy."

Participants have ranged from corporate CEOs and company employees to civic leaders, college students and neighborhood groups.

A portion of the challenge proceeds help fund the South Montgomery County YMCA's scholarship program, Partners of Youth. The program provides assistance for people unable to participate in the YMCA's various activities, including child care and other outreach programs, Barnett said.

Clyde Parker, The Woodlands managing partner for Winstead Sechrest and Minick P.C., told the audience the law firm was "happy" to serve as the Dragon Boat Team Challenge presenting sponsor for the second year.

"We're really excited about it," he said. "We're pleased with the way this event allows so many people in the community to have fun and, at the same time, teach them about cooperation and working toward a common goal."

Leadership is a quality that has come naturally for Johnson, even during his days playing at Southern University. A resident of The Woodlands, Johnson said a good leader requires a handful of capabilities: communication, character, competence, class and caring.

"You cannot be afraid to fail," he told the audience. "You must trust one another to achieve teamwork. There has to be 100 percent sacrifice from each one of you."

Because he lacked certain physical skills to play basketball, Johnson said he crafted himself into an expert passer and point guard during his NBA career.

"I was a server. My job was to take care of the other players," he said.
As a result, Johnson said he was rewarded with one of the then-largest contracts for a point guard. He also earned the respect of his teammates.

"They made me feel important," he said.

There is room for one adult team and five youth teams. For more information and cost about a dragon boat team, call the South Montgomery County YMCA at (281) 367-9622.

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?B...&PAG=461&rfi=9

[PAJOE]

Avery is a class act and a good christian man.

[Ginobillinogen]

Originally Posted by PAJOE

Avery is a class act and a good christian man.

I definitely agree, but it's a darn shame we'll have to kick his team's a$$ 4 times out of the year.

[Falcone]

Avery is the one and only reason I will watch a Mavs game. I miss that voice.

[Menudo Terremoto Williams]

The 1999 championship was definitely the sweetest...

[tmtcsc]

The 1999 team was dominant. The competition was weaker in my opinion, but that wasn't the '99 team's fault. Our latest championship team would give them a tough fight. I don't know who would win and I'm not sure I care.

I just know that the 2005 team would present the 1999 with match-up problems. Tim would have a heck of a time scoring agaisnt himself and Drob. Whoah, that gets wierd.

[Ducks]

last years team was better
holt even said it had more talent

Originally Posted by PAJOE

Avery is a class act and a good christian man.

so if he says something it has to be right?
2005 had more talent

[Amente]

Originally Posted by Ducks

last years team was better
holt even said it had more talent

More talent does not always equate to the
best team.

[spurssheriff]

If the 2005 Spurs played a seven game series against the 1999 Spurs, who would win?

[spurs7794]

Originally Posted by Menudo Terremoto Williams

The 1999 championship was definitely the sweetest...

I respect your opinion but to me, 2005 felt about 10 times better than 1999. I probably feel that way because of how tough our competition was and mostly because of that look of complete relief on Tim's face when he raised his hands up and pointed to the sky. Thats exactly how i felt.

[TexWalker]

Originally Posted by spurssheriff

If the 2005 Spurs played a seven game series against the 1999 Spurs, who would win?

Albert Einstein.

[frenchfred]

Originally Posted by spurssheriff

If the 2005 Spurs played a seven game series against the 1999 Spurs, who would win?

I think that last year team would win.

Tim=Tim
Nazr Bowen=Elliot
Manu>>Ellie
TP>Johnson

[ennui30]

The 1999 team was definitely my favorite of all time. Every player was so charismatic

Originally Posted by frenchfred

I think that last year team would win.

Tim=Tim
Nazr Bowen=Elliot
Manu>>Ellie
TP>Johnson

Johnson said it's not about the individuals but about the teamwork. The 1999 team was a thing of beauty. Even if TP could man handle Johnson on offense, Johnson saw the floor much better for example and got his teammates involved. He was more of a pass-first point anyway

[Jason R]

The 1999 team had great execution and defense. I'd still take them over the 2003 and 2005 versions.

[ro_50]

You guys are taking his quote out of context. He said that during that year, that the Spurs didnt have the best talent, but they had the best team. He wasnt comparing the 99 team to other spurs team.

[maldoror]

Avery Johnson: "We had the best team (in 1999)"

Avery is really going out on a limb there.

[DULESfreestyler]

[quote]Johnson recalled the disappointment of the 1995 Western Conference Championship series when the favored San Antonio Spurs lost to the Houston Rockets. Although the Spurs had won 62 games in the regular season, it was the Rockets who eliminated the Spurs in six games and went on to win their second consecutive NBA title.

The Spurs' starting point guard at that time, Johnson said it was necessary to exorcise a couple of players who had put their own interests above the team's. He credited those changes with helping the Spurs attain their first NBA title in 1999.
[quote]

what often gets overlooked around here when talking about why we lost the 95 WC finals - AJ still feels it and so do I .... one of those players is obviously Rodman .. did any-one work out who the other player is?

[tmtcsc]

Originally Posted by spurssheriff

If the 2005 Spurs played a seven game series against the 1999 Spurs, who would win?

Ditka.

[quote=DULESfreestyler][quote]Johnson recalled the disappointment of the 1995 Western Conference Championship series when the favored San Antonio Spurs lost to the Houston Rockets. Although the Spurs had won 62 games in the regular season, it was the Rockets who eliminated the Spurs in six games and went on to win their second consecutive NBA title.

The Spurs' starting point guard at that time, Johnson said it was necessary to exorcise a couple of players who had put their own interests above the team's. He credited those changes with helping the Spurs attain their first NBA title in 1999.

what often gets overlooked around here when talking about why we lost the 95 WC finals - AJ still feels it and so do I .... one of those players is obviously Rodman .. did any-one work out who the other player is?

Vinny Del Negro, Chuck Person, Doc Rivers, Jack Haley, JR Reid, Willie Anderson ? I can't remember who else was on that team and I am not 100 % certain about the ones I listed. How soon we forget.

I would probably go with Vinny. He had some good years but, Elie was huge and so was Jaren Jackson in our first Championship season.

[Menudo Terremoto Williams]

Originally Posted by spurs7794

I respect your opinion but to me, 2005 felt about 10 times better than 1999. I probably feel that way because of how tough our competition was and mostly because of that look of complete relief on Tim's face when he raised his hands up and pointed to the sky. Thats exactly how i felt.

99 was a long time coming....I felt more of a rush the first time. Plus, David got his after falling short for 10 years. They all are sweet, but 99 broke my cherry.