When news broke of the Brooklyn Nets firing Avery Johnson, I immediately knew that Phil Jackson’s name would come up in the discussion. Phil has the bug to coach again – and stick it to Jim Buss, – the Nets have a talented team and an owner with deep pockets. Not Jay Z silly, the majority owner Mikhail Prokhorov. So there’s potential there, right?
On Thursday, Jackson’s agent, Todd Musburger, released a statement saying that the 11-time champion coach wasn’t interested in the job at this time. Key words, “at this time.” Now there are “sources” reportedly saying that there is a possibility Phil is interested in exploring the position. We all know Phil Jackson has certain requirements for any team he’d consider bringing his champion zen pedigree to. That means involvement with roster and personnel decisions plus his big chair on the sideline.
In addition to Jackson there are several top coaching candidates currently available. Avery Johnson started the season at 11-4 but over the last 13 games, the Nets had dropped 10 and it is believed that Johnson had lost the locker room.
