Nets Hire Avery Johnson (Jones and Mitchell As Assistants)

[jerseyjac]

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wireta ... y_johnson/

I'm not sold on him, I'm actually passing...

[Rockice_8]

I actually like him as a coach but he's not my top choice.

1. Tom Thibodeau
2. JVG
3. Avery Johnson

I would be happy with any of those guys.

How could you not like Avery he was a tough gritty player and it translates to his team. Look he was the only one that got those soft Mavs teams to the finals. Now they can't get out of the first round. He is a tough defensive minded coach which is what I look for in my coaches.

Side note: Bulls are interested in L. Frank, good place for him to land I wish him well. Although I think he would be better with a veteran team, his track record isn't that good with young players which the Bulls rely on a bunch to contribute.

[vincecarter4pres]

I really hope we don't go after Avery.

[SteveNets15]

I really hope we don't go after Avery.

Yea me to unless David Robinson is on his staff.

[demens]

He is the top candidate in my opinion. Only draw back would be listening to his annoying voice in the interviews other then that he is a good coach. Yeah he had talent with the Mavs, but he got them to play hard. He has a good defensive mind and and Devin played his best d under him. Yeah there would be concerns of them clashing, but Devin endorsed him, if there are problems it will be on him this time.

I see no better candidate really. Coach K isn't a candidate, Van Gundy is a walking punch line, for some reason they wont give Fertello a shot. With the way Boston is putting the clamps on the Cavs and some recent comments in the media maybe Thibadeua is the best choice, but he is as unproven as any of them. I still think Avery will go to NO and Thib is the most likely outcome here.

[BasketCase1]

I would pass on Avery, I'm afraid he's a little to hard on point guards...Give me a coach who preaches defense, like Tom Thibodeau or even Jeff Van Gundy.

[ChampionRed]

I wouldn't mind having Avery. I'll take anyone that can actually coach our team. I would definitely want us to hire a defensive minded coach though.

[Jersey Generals]

HAHAHA Listening to Avery right now. Mashburn asked him, who is the best fit for Lebron. Without hesitation, Avery said New Jersey, and started rattling off the names of our players.

[VCRJKidd15]

I dont want Avery Johnson but he suggested Lebron should go to NJ so high five for that man

[NJ To BK]

Tom Thibodeau all day!

[SteveNets15]

HAHAHA Listening to Avery right now. Mashburn asked him, who is the best fit for Lebron. Without hesitation, Avery said New Jersey, and started rattling off the names of our players.

He said NJ real quick

[deviljets7]

I would pass on Avery, I'm afraid he's a little to hard on point guards...Give me a coach who preaches defense, like Tom Thibodeau or even Jeff Van Gundy.

Obviously this is something you have to look heavily into before you hire Avery, but I wonder if this is a product of the circumstances in Dallas more than a straight "Avery is too hard on PGs," issue. With that roster and ownership, there was plenty of pressure to win now, not exactly the best situation to try to develop a #4 pick in the draft.

It is possible that Avery is too hard on point guards, but barring something crazy like LeBron signing here, you couldn't get two NBA situations more different than the Nets of 2010 and the 2005-era Mavericks.

Also funny you would mention JVG as a guy you'd prefer. I like JVG and think he's a better coach, but not exactly considered the most kid-friendly coach himself.

[SpeedyG]

"No, no. No, no no, no, no. Tell me this isn't happening, Ted. No, no. No, no, no, no, no."

[Rich Rane]

Damn...14 nos? Sorry...HIMYM reference.

I love doing Avery Johnson impressions, but I can't say I want the guy as a coach. If I'm Prokhorov, I keep smacking my wallet at Coach K and keep filling it until it gets his attention. With the billionaire's money and Coach K being Team USA's coach, can he honestly overpay him?

More on coaching by Al Iannazzone:
http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/inth ... ach_speak/

[Rich Rane]

I've got a feeling this isn't going to stay on Avery too long so I changed the thread to all Nets Head Coaching. Yours to sticky, change the thread title back, or leave it as is jj.

[Rockice_8]

Orlando needs to just take care of Boston so Thibodeau is out of the playoffs so we can start talking to him. From what I heard Avery called Thorn. He's just doing his duty. He has to at least talk with guys like Avery and JVG before he makes a decision. I wouldn't read to much into it.

Thibodeau all the way.

[SteveNets15]

I'll take Thibodeau as an assistant coach to care of the defense.He seems to do that very well why change it.

[demens]

Hornets already met with Thibodeau. Play-offs aren't a valib excuse for not moving forward.

[vincecarter4pres]

HAHAHA Listening to Avery right now. Mashburn asked him, who is the best fit for Lebron. Without hesitation, Avery said New Jersey, and started rattling off the names of our players.

I missed this, but it actually changes my opinion on him.

[mack69]

I wouldnt jump on the Thibodeau wagon just yet he has no head coaching experience and does anyone knows what will be offensive approach. We know his defensive reputation but he will be learning on the job.

I would prefer either JVG or Avery.