For Coach, A Welcome Break

It's not that Avery Johnson has been sleeping in or traveling the world (although he did play some hoops in Moscow and attend a horsy event in Kentucky). As he told reporters Monday, "It’s the same thing, spending three or four days with your staff working on philosophies and then trying to spend time with your family."

So, Johnson saw Monday's media event in Brooklyn as a welcome respite from talk of lockouts and players headed overseas.  "Obviously, at a time when we’re all looking for some excitement, I think it’s great,'' he said after a visit to the Joseph M. Sanzori Children's Hospital in Hackensack.

The coach added that the Nets haven't decided on who to replace John Loyer and Larry Krystkowiak.

• Coach happy Nets keeping their name - Fred Kerber - New York Post
• Nets coach Avery Johnson calls team name announcement 'exciting' - Colin Stephenson - Star-Ledger