Avery Johnson has been chatting, talking up the Nets universe over the past week. But he admits he has been holding back in a way.
“I’ve been instructed not to give you my good stuff until Tuesday,” Johnson laughed.
That would be today when Johnson formally is introduced at a noontime press conference as the 16th coach in the Nets’ NBA history.
Johnson brings a defensive tenor that was imperative for Nets president Rod Thorn. If you caught a gander of the 12-70 team this past season, you know why. Johnson also brings the highest winning percentage for an NBA coach, .735 (194-70), for his three-plus years with Dallas. And he has a title ring as a player (Spurs, ’99).
He also brings something else.
“More discipline, accountability, understanding good shots, bad shots as the season progresses. And then, understanding how important the defensive end of the floor is,” Hall of Fame coach Hubie Brown said. “He is coming from a San Antonio mentality. There are no wasted shots and if there are, you’re not going to get time.”
Johnson was Thorn’s first interview in the process and each impressed the other. And Johnson is impressed by what’s in place, especially Devin Harris and Brook Lopez. Harris, he knows from Dallas. And he’s excited to work with Lopez.
“Brook Lopez I feel is a young guy that has a huge upside,” Johnson said, laughing that, “We’re going to be spending some time together this summer. We’re going to help him improve in terms of his skill set and what he brings to the table offensively. He’s going to have to improve defensively and we feel we’re going to help him get to that next level.”
*
Huge workout week upcoming. Thursday is Syracuse wing Wesley Johnson (a real possibility at No. 3 for the Nets but still pencil in Georgia Tech PF Derrick Favors in your mock draft). Favors and 6-11 Kentucky center DeMarcus Cousins will go head-to-head on Monday (another indication Evan Turner goes No. 2 to Philadelphia). Baylor PF Ekpe Udoh and Georgetown C Greg Monroe are in on Wednesday, along with Nevada PG Armon Johnson, who some predict the Nets like at No. 27. . . Today’s press conference can be seen live on YES and on njnets.com.