Avery Johnson & Mark Cuban Feud After Loss To L.A., Changes Coming In Dallas?

My AM Take: I’ve reported on them squabbling over money and dealing Dirk Nowitzki. Now reports have Avery Johnson and Mark Cuban engaged in a post-game yelling match following the Mavericks recent loss to the Lakers.

Days later, Johnson downplayed the disagreement, mentioning that “everything is good” between coach and owner. Their discussion was a heat-of-the-moment thing between two passionate individuals. No more. No less.

I believe Johnson as much as I believe Cuban’s reasons for banning bloggers from Dallas’ dressing room. In other words, I don’t believe The Little General.

This duo has too much history. Two summers ago, they feuded over Johnson’s contract. And last summer, after getting upset by Golden State in the first round of the playoffs, they had a difference of opinion on keeping Nowitzki. However, I believe their issues can be traced to the 2006 NBA Finals.   

Dallas was up 2-0 in the series and held a comfortable second-half lead in game three. Good teams win that game, finish out the series, take home the Lawrence O’Brien trophy, and, after a few days partying, hold a championship parade.    

Unfortunately, the Mavericks lost game three and the series. I believe Cuban holds Johnson solely responsible for the choke job. The renegade owner doesn’t credit his coach for getting the Mavericks within two games of basketball glory; instead, he blames him for losing a championship banner.

With Cuban, it’s all or nothing. So the Jason Kidd trade must be compounding these issues. With the Hall of Fame point guard in the mix, Dallas has struggled against teams with winning records.

The Mavericks have also lost some of their identity as a defensive team. And Johnson hasn’t always used Kidd appropriately, sitting him in the final seconds of a loss against San Antonio.

Don’t believe “everything is good.” Another post-season failure will bring changes and Johnson could be the first to go.

What do you make of Johnson and Cuban’s recent argument? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts and click here for Oly Sandor’s NBA blog and AM Take. Image appears courtesy of photographer Paneet Singh at flickr.com.