This morning, the New Jersey Nets let go of head coach Avery Johnson after a 14-14 start with star point guard Deron Williams complaining about the offense. Amidst the firing, speculation about who would be the next coach of the Nets has already begun. ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne tweeted that Phil Jackson would listened if the Nets reached out to him.
Phil Jackson still happily retired. But he’d listen if Nets call. Process with Lakers “got him thinking about coaching again” source says.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) December 27, 2012
While this is highly unlikely, it’s an interesting thought. Jackson was in talks with the Lakers after they fired their head coach Mike Brown. Many were surprised when those talks broke down and Mike D’Antoni was brought in to lead the Lakers.
Jackson says that he’s happily retired, but him interviewing for the Lakers job showed that he still has the itch to coach, and we could see him on the sidelines again if the right situation appeared. The question now is whether or not the Nets job is the right situation for Jackson. And according to TNT’s David Aldridge, this isn’t Jackson’s ideal situation.
Phil Jackson’s longtime representative, Todd Musburger, tells me via text that Jackson “has no interest in the Nets’ job at this time.”
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) December 27, 2012
It’s hard to say for sure with conflicting reports about Jackson’s willingness to even hear the Nets out at this point, but he could be an interesting hire. Considering Williams was unhappy with Johnson’s offense, it would be hard to imagine him being happy in the triangle, which isn’t point guard friendly.
Of course, Jackson would be able to find ways within the system to get the ball in one of the best point guards in the league’s hands, but it isn’t he most ideal situation for a guy who is used to having the ball in his hands.
Brooklyn was 3-10 in their last 13 games after starting 11-4, which included two five-game winning streaks. P.J. Carlesimo will be expected to take over the head coaching duties in the interim until a new coach is hired.
