For Nets, It Will Be a New Day; For Johnson, a Chance at Redemption

The Nets under Kiki Vandeweghe were, shall we say, laid back if not laid out (as in funeral).  There was, as one pundit noted, a "Southern California" feel to his style.  With Avery Johnson, the Nets could not have found a more different coach.  The Little General didn't get that nickname because he's so nice.

There's been much discussion about how prepared Johnson is, how personally disciplined he is, how he demands accountability and how he gets the most out of his players through tough love.  But some, like Peter Vecsey,  believe he can't coach the Nets the same way he coached the Mavericks, mainly because that style cost him his job and may have cost his team a championship. Others wonder how free agents will react to his in-your-face style.

The writers who cover the Nets and Vecsey take a look at the positives and negatives of Johnson's tenure in Dallas, his coaching style and what drove Rod Thorn to hire him.

• 'Gut decision' drove Rod Thorn's hiring of Avery Johnson as Nets coach - Dave D'Alessandro - Star-Ledger
• Little General must learn some patience - Peter Vecsey - New York Post
• New Nets coach impressed Thorn - Fred Kerber - New York Post
• Johnson hoping to find 'free' help for New Jersey - Fred Kerber - New York Post
• Johnson Looks Like Best Man For The Job - Al Iannazzone - The Nets Insider
  
• Nets name Avery Johnson head coach - Al Iannazzone - The Record
• Avery Johnson’s impact - Al Iannazzone - The Record
• To Thorn, Avery's discipline is key - Julian Garcia - New York Daily News
• Well done, Nets! - Adam Spunberg - YES Network
• Proven Winner Johnson Tabbed New Nets’ Head Coach - John Torenli - Brooklyn Eagle
  
• Avery Johnson's new gig: And now for something completely different - Kurt Helin - NBC Sports
  
• Nets fans better hope Avery Johnson learned from his mistakes in Dallas - Eddie Sefko - FOX Sports Southwest
• Avery Johnson's coaching past and future with the Nets - Rob Mahoney - The Two Man Game