Nets Fire Coach Avery Johnson

New York Daily News

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/nets/fired-nets-coach-avery-johnson-article-1.1228199

Avery Johnson was fired as Nets head coach Thursday afternoon, the team announced, and P.J. Carlesimo will take over as interim coach.

“The Nets ownership would like to express thanks to Avery for his efforts and to wish him every success in the future, Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov said in a statement.

Johnson became the fall guy what became repetitive ugliness in December. The Nets (14-14) are 3-10 this month, with blowout losses to the Celtics and Knicks. His offense was also criticized by star Deron Williams, prompting Johnson to scrap 40 percent of his offense last week – a move indicating he was unsure of himself and feeling the pressure.

He also altered the starting lineup, benching and peeving Kris Humphries, who the Nets paid $24 million in July. One Nets player was blindsided by the news Thursday afternoon, saying there was no indication Johnson had been let go following Wednesday’s loss to the Bucks.

The Nets took on over $330 million in contracts over the summer, and the team was under pressure to produce immediately because of the move to a new city and a $1 billion arena.

, Nets Fire Coach Avery Johnson

New York Daily News

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/nets/fired-nets-coach-avery-johnson-article-1.1228199

Avery Johnson was fired as Nets head coach Thursday afternoon, the team announced, and P.J. Carlesimo will take over as interim coach.

The Nets ownership would like to express thanks to Avery for his efforts and to wish him every success in the future, ” Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov said in a statement.

Johnson became the fall guy what became repetitive ugliness in December. The Nets (14-14) are 3-10 this month, with blowout losses to the Celtics and Knicks. His offense was also criticized by star Deron Williams, prompting Johnson to scrap 40 percent of his offense last week – a move indicating he was unsure of himself and feeling the pressure.

He also altered the starting lineup, benching and peeving Kris Humphries, who the Nets paid $24 million in July. One Nets player was blindsided by the news Thursday afternoon, saying there was no indication Johnson had been let go following Wednesday’s loss to the Bucks.

The Nets took on over $330 million in contracts over the summer, and the team was under pressure to produce immediately because of the move to a new city and a $1 billion arena.