When professional teams begin to slump or slide down the standings, people immediately look for someone to point the finger at. People tend to do that in almost every area of life. When things start going downhill, it makes us feel better to have someone to blame.
The latest victim (if you can call him that) of the professional sports blame game is Avery Johnson. The head coach of the Brooklyn Nets was unceremoniously dismissed after a disappointing Christmas Day showing against the Celtics, and talk has quickly turned to who will be his replacement.
Not surprisingly, the most-decorated (and recently-retired) man to coach in the NBA is reportedly on the top of Brooklyn’s wish list. Phil Jackson, who has more championship rings than he does fingers, retired from his long-standing post of Lakers’ leader after last season and his name has cropped up with every vacant coaching position since.
Source says after Phil Jackson, Nets list includes Mike Dunleavy, Nate McMillan, JVG and Jerry Sloan, tho Sloan called a “long shot.”
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) December 28, 2012
The Nets are making a big push for Jackson, and have more to offer in terms of salary than the Lakers did back in November, a report from ESPN.com.according to
Jackson’s representative, Todd Musburger, told TNT’s David Aldridge on Thursday that Jackson has “no interest" in the Nets’ job at this time, but according to the ESPN.com report, another source has come forward saying that Jackson would indeed entertain the idea of taking the coaching gig.
Obviously Jackson is a prime target for Brooklyn, but there are other names that have been seriously inserted into the conversation since Thursday evening.
Former Orlando Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy has been tossed into the mix, although according to the Orlando Sentinel’s basketball reporter Brian K. Schmitz he has no interest in the job.
Stan Van Gundy has no interest in Brooklyn job
— Brian K. Schmitz (@MagicInsider) December 27, 2012
As of Friday afternoon, Houston Rockets assistant coach Kelvin Sampson has emerged as one of the leading candidates to take over the Brooklyn bench. Despite being an assistant, Sampson got a chance to show what he can bring to the table as a head coach earlier this season when head coach Kevin McHale left the team to tend to his ailing daughter. In that period, Sampson led Houston to a 7-6 record.
Y! Sources: Houston assistant Kelvin Sampson emerges as ‘significant’ candidate for Brooklyn coaching job. tinyurl.com/cfkpmv6
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) December 28, 2012
While Houston is pursuing the like of Jackson and Sampson, former Los Angeles Clippers head coach Mike Dunleavy is reportedly pursuing them. Dunleavy said on a radio show he co-hosts that he likes Brooklyn’s roster and hinted that he could use star guard Deron Williams more effectively.
Mike Dunleavy would like to become the Head Coach of the Brooklyn Nets: “I’m from Brooklyn coaching there would be a dream come true.”
— NBAFLASHNEWS (@NBAFLASHNEWS) December 28, 2012
Another name worth mentioning, despite being considered a "long shot", is former NBA player and Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. The Hall-of-Famer would be considered an exciting addition to any team and according to ESPN’s Chris Broussard, is not entirely opposed to the idea of returning to the game.
I Just spoke with Jerry Sloan. He refused to comment on Nets or D-Will. All he would say is that he’s open to coaching in NBA again.
— Chris Broussard (@Chris–Broussard) December 28, 2012
Right now everything is still in the rumour-mill stage, and if the first three months of the NBA season is any indication, just about anything is still possible at this point.