Mavericks sign coach Johnson to 20 million extension

Avery Johnson has been extended the contract with the Dallas Mavericks worth a reported 20 million U.S. dollars over five years, according to the club.

"I'm thrilled that Avery will be coaching the Mavs for years to come," Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said in a statement Thursday. "He is a great partner and person that makes us a better organization."

Johnson, who guided the Mavericks to the NBA finals last season, had signed his first contract with the Mavericks valuing about 10 million U.S. dollars for four years.

The 41-year-old went 16-2 after replacing Don Nelson for the final 18 games of the 2004-05 season and led the Mavericks to a 60-22 mark last season, which matched the best record in franchise history and earned him 2006 NBA Coach of the Year honors.

Johnson, who is one of just two players under six feet tall to play 1,000 NBA games, became an assistant to Nelson before the 2004-05 season and coached a handful of games before replacing him.

Source: Xinhua