No shocker after the Mavs first round playoff exit for the second year in a row, but Avery Johnson was fired as coach Wednesday.

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Did he deserve to get fired? Well, the team had gotten progressively worse under him. From the Finals collapse two years ago to the great regular season last year followed by the whipping by Golden State and mentor Don Nelson in the first round to another first round series loss this season.

Add in the big trade for Jason Kidd and the non-development of Devin Harris at point guard and there are lots of reasons to be unhappy with Johnson. Ultimately, it comes down to players. Players must perform. In the playoffs, especially, Kidd, Josh Howard and Jerry Stackhouse did not. Is that because of poor coaching or just poor play? I'm not sure.

The problem for the next coach is he will take over an old team devoid of draft picks. The Mavs appear to be a team on the decline, maybe bordering on total reconstruction.

Avery will get another shot, but it may be a while before the Mavs have another good shot at an NBA title.

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