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Devin Harris on Avery Johnson: "If We Reunite That Would Be Great."

Devin Harris had a rocky relationship with his Mavs' coach Avery Johnson, but there was also a deep bond between the former championship point guard and his protege.  Even after he was traded and Johnson was fired, Harris said he would often call him.  Now, with the Nets about to look for a new head coach, Harris wants everyone to know Johnson would be fine with him.  Art Garcia of NBA.com tweets about his conversation with Harris: "I love Avery. Always have. If we reunite that would be great."  In his last two full seasons with Dallas, the Mavs won 60 and 67 games.  He's now an ESPN television analyst. 

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an experience coach with a defensive mindset....

wouldn’t be too bad. I don’t necessarily like the guy but he was a solid coach in dallas. I just think he would restrict Devin and/or Wall if we drafted him.

by Bruce Jones on Mar 11, 2010 2:26 PM EST reply actions  

Damn him if he restricts Devin’s 8 turnovers in one game.

by SamsHops on Mar 11, 2010 4:23 PM EST up reply actions  

Restrictions? Good

If he restricts Devin from throwing up threes when The Inside is overlooked, then good. He is a real control freak, though

And so said the old man!

by KJV on Mar 11, 2010 7:37 PM EST up reply actions  

or he might develop them

Harris hasnt played defense since he left Dallas.

by Net Income on Mar 11, 2010 2:32 PM EST reply actions  

Which is why I would love to get Avery. People complained about how he “restricted Devin’s offense”, but we can see now that he simply needed to restrict it.

by J-Kay on Mar 11, 2010 4:27 PM EST up reply actions  

I think he just needs to restrict his jump shooting tendencies. His penetration is still fine. And he needs to get himself to the gym and shoot 500 3’s a day over the summer if he’s going to be jacking up 4 or 5 of them a game.

Proud to hold season tickets to the only NBA team soon to be owned by a Russian oligarch.

by yellow fever on Mar 11, 2010 5:08 PM EST up reply actions  

Question #36 regarding the Nets future.

Are we going to have a new coach before the draft in June?

Do we need a coach before drafting, or can we dragged this out all summer and fall?

by M I K E on Mar 11, 2010 2:38 PM EST reply actions  

If Avery fits the Bill, then why not interview him the day after Proky is approved by NBA.

There is nothing to prevent him from being interviewed by Thorn tomorrow.
Just that no terms could be discussed formally.

Of course if Nets got Wall or Turner, that would be a plus in attracting a coach. Getting DLee would help too.
However, if Nets don’t do well in June/July then their options could be reduced.

If Nets DID want Avery, than better to sign him or someone else Before the draft, in case Nets get #3/#4 pick (54% chance).
Besides, as I wrote below, New Orleans may want Avery, as well as other teams who will be firing their coaches in about 5-7 weeks.

by jerry25 on Mar 11, 2010 3:24 PM EST up reply actions  

Upon further thought, if Nets can’t offer a 10 day contract to a DLeaguer, after Yi was injured, then I am pessimistic about Thorn speeding up the New Coach process.

by jerry25 on Mar 11, 2010 3:27 PM EST up reply actions  

Well

I’m a fan of a point guard being a coach. Someone who played the game at a high level and has a better understanding than most players about how the game breaks down on the court, and putting people in a position to succeed.

Not sure if Avery Johnson is the ma for the job though.

by eLonepb on Mar 11, 2010 2:46 PM EST reply actions  

I think Devin...

…would just love anybody other than Kiki…

by PhilNYC on Mar 11, 2010 2:50 PM EST reply actions  

Avery is great

I like the idea of having Avery as our coach. He will straighten out Devin. We all know he can score and he used to defend too, That would be a great combination for a championship team. Just need somebody to guide him. I think they would work it out.

by NDTony on Mar 11, 2010 3:05 PM EST reply actions  

This is great news

Possibly bigger news than the ceremonial event that happened today.

We all first thought that Nets wouldn’t take Avery because of Harris.
Then many of us believed that Avery was just what was needed, especially Harris, but still weren’t sure if Thorn felt the same way.

With this news and if Proky/Thorn feel Nets need a coach ASAP, Avery would fit the bill.
Avery may be chosen by his hometown New Orleans if Nets procrastinate.
Avery said on ESPN’s PTI that “I’m waiting for the phone to ring”.
JVG, it was written, likes his current job (making him expensive) and wouldn’t want to move his family again. Besides, I don’t care for JVG.

He would come cheaper than the Big name coaches and if it didn’t work out, Proky could just fire him at any time and not worry (It would be hard to fire a Legend like Coach K).

If Nets want Defense, and want a former player who players would respect, Avery Johnson would be perfect.
BLopez would like him, even though he “would be in Brook’s ears” for all the stupid things he does.
I could just see Brook saying “yea that was a pretty dumb thing that I did coach. I won’t let it happen again coach”.

by jerry25 on Mar 11, 2010 3:15 PM EST reply actions  

I totally agree that Avery Johnson would be a good fit for the Nets. Who better to teach the young team ( especially out guards) than a former NBA player. Also, I believe that his time away from coaching has helped him to hone his skills as a coach. He can see now what techniques work and don’t work and he will be able to use those skills to get the most out of everyone. It’s a “win win” situation.

by aunt-B on Mar 11, 2010 4:15 PM EST up reply actions  

I wouldn't mind AJ...

But I would rather go after The Czar. I’d like us to bring back Cal too.

by Andres B on Mar 11, 2010 5:19 PM EST reply actions  

Avery Johnson would tear his hair out with this group

I really think we need someone who’s used to having to actually teach basketball before diving into the X’s and O’s. If Johnson clashed with Harris because he was too much of a micromanager and wanted Harris to play completely in the confines of his offense imagine how he would do with an entire team of young kids who are pretty much used to improvising.

"We have a plan, and our plan, I like our plan'

it's Omar's world, we're just livin in it.

by Gina on Mar 11, 2010 5:33 PM EST reply actions  

Who cares if the guy’s not likeable? He’s got a good record and he can develop players. On a team with no real veteran leadership, a former leader like a point guard and a defensive minded one at that would be perfect.
Dunleavy’s still an option.

by navycavsfan on Mar 11, 2010 5:40 PM EST reply actions  

Dunleavy? Are you serious? The Czar or Mike Brown. NO ONE ELSE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!!!!!!!!

by diehardNFFLbarnone on Mar 11, 2010 5:48 PM EST reply actions  

Which MB?

which Mike Brown are you talking about? Do you know something we don’t know. I don’t see how the Cavs are going to release Mike Brown.
Are you referring to another Mike Brown??

And so said the old man!

by KJV on Mar 11, 2010 7:52 PM EST up reply actions  

My candidates for coach

1. Tom Thibodeau
2. Avery Johnson
3. Coach K (although not likely)
4. Tom Thibodeau
5. JVG
6. Tom Thibodeau

And so said the old man!

by KJV on Mar 11, 2010 7:49 PM EST reply actions  

Good call

on Thibodeau
http://www.nba.com/celtics/roster/coaches/tom-thibodeau.html
I think the consensus is that a defensive minded coach is needed

by navycavsfan on Mar 11, 2010 9:45 PM EST up reply actions  

I really think we need to find an NBA assistant, who's recently had experience in the d-league

Someone who’s 1. used to having to teach fundamentals way before jumping into the X’s and O’s, any coach used to veteran teams would quit after a month with this team when they can’t do things as simple as boxing out and moving towards passes and moving with out the ball, but being an assistant he’d also have experience working with the egos of professional basketball players, something a college coach, who may have experience with teaching fundamentals, wouldn’t have. And working with guys who are being paid millions is WAY different from coaching kids who’s scholarships you control.

"We have a plan, and our plan, I like our plan'

it's Omar's world, we're just livin in it.

by Gina on Mar 11, 2010 7:49 PM EST reply actions  

hiring an assistant

Gina you may be right that an assistant or D leaguer couldbe the best choice but I think they’ll want a star coach — for FA-attracting purposes and to add a “now we’re first class” image overall.

by PigDaddy3 on Mar 12, 2010 12:29 PM EST up reply actions  

Devin is probably being political. I doubt he wants to wear a leash like he did in Dallas.

"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."

by MrDollarBills on Mar 11, 2010 8:35 PM EST reply actions  

If the Cavs win the championship this year, he might decide it’s time to move on to bigger challenges and let someone else take over.

by diehardNFFLbarnone on Mar 11, 2010 9:56 PM EST reply actions  

Lol i seriously doubt that

I imagine Mike Brown is smart enough to know that without Lebron he’d probably be looking for a job as an analyst. The only way Mike Brown leaves the cavs is if he’s fired or Lebron leaves, and if Lebron leaves he’ll probably be fired soon after anyway. I don’t think any coach is stupid enough to walk away from Lebron though.

"We have a plan, and our plan, I like our plan'

it's Omar's world, we're just livin in it.

by Gina on Mar 11, 2010 10:25 PM EST up reply actions  

What I really meant to say was the stats-driven guys (John Hollingers, Kevin Peltons, etc, etc, etc of the world) STRONGLY seem to suggest otherwise.

by diehardNFFLbarnone on Mar 11, 2010 10:36 PM EST reply actions  

Suggest otherwise on what?

"We have a plan, and our plan, I like our plan'

it's Omar's world, we're just livin in it.

by Gina on Mar 11, 2010 11:27 PM EST up reply actions  

Suggest otherwise on what you said.

by diehardNFFLbarnone on Mar 12, 2010 6:42 PM EST reply actions  

how so

"We have a plan, and our plan, I like our plan'

it's Omar's world, we're just livin in it.

by Gina on Mar 13, 2010 12:33 AM EST up reply actions  

@ Gina – I think that’s quite obvious. GO READ ESPN.

by diehardNFFLbarnone on Mar 19, 2010 4:06 PM EDT reply actions  

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