Mike D'Antoni and Avery Johnson?

Why are these coaches considered elite coaches? They only beat the teams they should and once they get to the playoffs where the real season starts, they choke. Avery Johnson inherited a great team and made it worse. Mike D'Antoni happened to get Steve Nash, Amare Stoudamire, and Shawn Marion. How did Mike D'Antoni do in his other stint as a Denver Nuggets head coach? not very good