re: Jimmy Smith (Times Pic) bringing the heat on Demps

My biggest worry with Avery was that his most successful years came after being a "Don Nelson guy". (Sorry the syllables just worked too well to not put in a cheesy wrestling reference). He basically took Nelson's offense and tweaked the defense to be slightly more efficient. The further he distanced himself from being under Nelson, the more the train ran off the track.

Yes, he's had success. But I'm honestly not certain how much of it was being a parrot or having a legitimate coaching identity.