planomateo
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🏀 Avery Johnson hired
- Thread starter planomateo
- Start date
planomateo
Member
bama alum
Member
Yeah, it seems so. He proved in the NBA, as both a player and a coach, that he flat out wins. I just hope he can recruit. He needs to be at Theodore tomorrow or Tuesday talking to Ingram.
A former NBA PG and NBA coach might be just the ticket to get Ingram back in the fold.
planomateo
Member
BamaFan334
Member
April 5, 2015
Avery Johnson to become Alabama basketball coach
Cecil Hurt
TideSports.com Columnist
University of Alabama athletics director Bill Battle and former NBA coach of the year Avery Johnson have reached a deal for Johnson to become the new head basketball coach at UA.
Avery Johnson will become Alabama's basketball coach.
Johnson was confirmed as a strong front-runner for the position by The News on Saturday. ESPN and CBS Sports confirmed Sunday that an agreement in principle has been reached.
Johnson, who had a 16-year playing career that included an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 1999, was head coach of the Dallas Mavericks (2005-2008) and the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets (2010-2012). He has not been a part of college basketball since his playing career at Southern University in the 1980's.
He is currently in his second stint as a basketball analyst for ESPN. His energetic personality and promotional abilities are considered positives for a program looking to revitalize interest in its basketball program after the firing of Anthony Grant.
Financial terms of the deal have not been finalized.
Alabama has quietly pursued several coaching candidates in proceeding forward from its rejection by Wichita State head coach Gregg Marshall last week.
At that time, Battle outlined his criteria for a new head coach.
"My objective in this search is focused on one goal: to get the best person available to lead the Alabama men's basketball program,he said in a prepared statement. "I remain determined to bring to our program a proven head coach with impressive credentials, one who understands and values our program, wants to lead our program and is excited about what can be accomplished at the University of Alabama."
- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1753961#sthash.4Mhw2Dbf.dpuf
Avery Johnson to become Alabama basketball coach
Cecil Hurt
TideSports.com Columnist
University of Alabama athletics director Bill Battle and former NBA coach of the year Avery Johnson have reached a deal for Johnson to become the new head basketball coach at UA.
Avery Johnson will become Alabama's basketball coach.
Johnson was confirmed as a strong front-runner for the position by The News on Saturday. ESPN and CBS Sports confirmed Sunday that an agreement in principle has been reached.
Johnson, who had a 16-year playing career that included an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 1999, was head coach of the Dallas Mavericks (2005-2008) and the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets (2010-2012). He has not been a part of college basketball since his playing career at Southern University in the 1980's.
He is currently in his second stint as a basketball analyst for ESPN. His energetic personality and promotional abilities are considered positives for a program looking to revitalize interest in its basketball program after the firing of Anthony Grant.
Financial terms of the deal have not been finalized.
Alabama has quietly pursued several coaching candidates in proceeding forward from its rejection by Wichita State head coach Gregg Marshall last week.
At that time, Battle outlined his criteria for a new head coach.
"My objective in this search is focused on one goal: to get the best person available to lead the Alabama men's basketball program,he said in a prepared statement. "I remain determined to bring to our program a proven head coach with impressive credentials, one who understands and values our program, wants to lead our program and is excited about what can be accomplished at the University of Alabama."
- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1753961#sthash.4Mhw2Dbf.dpuf
Spot on about the Nets. They had been terrible for a lot of years, had made some progress in his first two years with them, and was sitting at .500, better than they had done in years, in mid season. IMO he was stabbed in the back by P J Carlesimo, and that led to his firing.
I'm not really sure how I feel about it tbh. He had a good run with the Mavs and sucked everywhere else. With his personality, playing experience in the NBA, and coaching experience in the NBA, I don't see him having trouble recruiting. After missing on Marshall, this hire seems "acceptable." I would have lost it if we ended up with Prohm.
Avery Johnson Is Exactly What Alabama Needed
by Brandon Williams | Posted on Sunday, April 5th, 2015
Photo courtesy of Rawle C. Jackman
The Alabama Crimson Tide basketball program has achieved a form of relevancy many thought would not happen after Athletic Director Bill Battle struck out swinging in failing to reel in current Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall. On a day where many celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it could not be more apropos how the Tide’s basketball program rose from the ashes only to rise with one of the greatest hires in the NCAA this year.
Avery Johnson agreed to become the Tide’s new headman and if Marshall was considered a home run, Johnson would be the equivalent of a walk off grand slam. While his resume differs slightly from the other candidates Alabama was considering in terms of having zero college basketball experience — he more than makes up for it with what he did in the NBA.
In his career, Johnson boasts a career record of 440-254 where some of his losses were due to a terrible team assembled during his years with the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets. He was named NBA Coach of the Year in 2006 and was a Dwyane Wade explosion from becoming a NBA Finals champion as both a player (1999) and coach.
What Johnson lacks in experience he more than makes up with his natural makeup. He’s one of the most vocal guys around and knows how to motivate players in ways some coaches only dream of. In a league where the likes of John Calipari and Billy Donovan have ruled for years, it was clear the Tide needed to keep up with the current hires of Bruce Pearl last year, and most recently Ben Howland(Mississippi State) and Rick Barnes (Tennessee).
One of the biggest question marks for Johnson is his ability to recruit. This of course is a key unknown, but one that should not worry Tide fans. When a man of Johnson’s caliber walks into the living rooms of prospective recruits and flashes his championship ring to go along with the laundry list of players he’s coached and played with, that’s enough to impress the hottest name in the country. Not to mention, Johnson is not afraid of the camera or has any issues with being short of breath. For those who know of him, having the gift of gab is one of his endearing qualities and if many felt former coach Anthony Grant‘s press conferences were dull and dry — expect some nice sound bites every so often from Johnson.
As things stand now, the Tide has three recruits they are trying to ensure stay on board. Two of them still seem to be set to stick with their commitment in C Donta’ Hall and SG Brandon Austin. However, one of the biggest in-state recruits who decommitted shortly after Grant’s firing is PG Dazon Ingram. Ingram recently was named Alabama’s 7A player of the year as well as Mr. Basketball, which is awarded to the state’s best player. If he hasn’t done so already, I’m sure one of Johnson’s first phone calls will be to him hoping he reconsiders his stance.
Assembling a coaching staff will be the final piece to this puzzle and many Tide fans have been adamant about keeping former player and current assistant Antoine Pettway on the staff as he has been the key recruiter for Alabama his two years on staff. With the money Battle is willing to pay, I fully expect coaches to be waiting by their phones from a call from Johnson to help make Alabama not just a football school, but one that can co-exist in exciting fashion together.
The level of excitement is high around Tuscaloosa and among Alabama fans who knew this hire was critical. Battle did what he had to do to cement his legacy and this may afford him the opportunity to retire in good graces with fans and the hire may be the best of the bunch from all the recent SEC hires.
Look out Alabama fans, the real marshall is coming to town.
http://www.thefreshreport.net/2015/04/05/avery-johnson-is-exactly-what-alabama-needed/
by Brandon Williams | Posted on Sunday, April 5th, 2015
Photo courtesy of Rawle C. Jackman
The Alabama Crimson Tide basketball program has achieved a form of relevancy many thought would not happen after Athletic Director Bill Battle struck out swinging in failing to reel in current Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall. On a day where many celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it could not be more apropos how the Tide’s basketball program rose from the ashes only to rise with one of the greatest hires in the NCAA this year.
Avery Johnson agreed to become the Tide’s new headman and if Marshall was considered a home run, Johnson would be the equivalent of a walk off grand slam. While his resume differs slightly from the other candidates Alabama was considering in terms of having zero college basketball experience — he more than makes up for it with what he did in the NBA.
In his career, Johnson boasts a career record of 440-254 where some of his losses were due to a terrible team assembled during his years with the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets. He was named NBA Coach of the Year in 2006 and was a Dwyane Wade explosion from becoming a NBA Finals champion as both a player (1999) and coach.
What Johnson lacks in experience he more than makes up with his natural makeup. He’s one of the most vocal guys around and knows how to motivate players in ways some coaches only dream of. In a league where the likes of John Calipari and Billy Donovan have ruled for years, it was clear the Tide needed to keep up with the current hires of Bruce Pearl last year, and most recently Ben Howland(Mississippi State) and Rick Barnes (Tennessee).
One of the biggest question marks for Johnson is his ability to recruit. This of course is a key unknown, but one that should not worry Tide fans. When a man of Johnson’s caliber walks into the living rooms of prospective recruits and flashes his championship ring to go along with the laundry list of players he’s coached and played with, that’s enough to impress the hottest name in the country. Not to mention, Johnson is not afraid of the camera or has any issues with being short of breath. For those who know of him, having the gift of gab is one of his endearing qualities and if many felt former coach Anthony Grant‘s press conferences were dull and dry — expect some nice sound bites every so often from Johnson.
As things stand now, the Tide has three recruits they are trying to ensure stay on board. Two of them still seem to be set to stick with their commitment in C Donta’ Hall and SG Brandon Austin. However, one of the biggest in-state recruits who decommitted shortly after Grant’s firing is PG Dazon Ingram. Ingram recently was named Alabama’s 7A player of the year as well as Mr. Basketball, which is awarded to the state’s best player. If he hasn’t done so already, I’m sure one of Johnson’s first phone calls will be to him hoping he reconsiders his stance.
Assembling a coaching staff will be the final piece to this puzzle and many Tide fans have been adamant about keeping former player and current assistant Antoine Pettway on the staff as he has been the key recruiter for Alabama his two years on staff. With the money Battle is willing to pay, I fully expect coaches to be waiting by their phones from a call from Johnson to help make Alabama not just a football school, but one that can co-exist in exciting fashion together.
The level of excitement is high around Tuscaloosa and among Alabama fans who knew this hire was critical. Battle did what he had to do to cement his legacy and this may afford him the opportunity to retire in good graces with fans and the hire may be the best of the bunch from all the recent SEC hires.
Look out Alabama fans, the real marshall is coming to town.
http://www.thefreshreport.net/2015/04/05/avery-johnson-is-exactly-what-alabama-needed/
planomateo
Member
Everywhere else = 1 team. New Jersey Nets moved to Brooklyn, so he's only been a HC in the NBA twice.
There's a bit of a rabbit hole in and of itself.
NBA seasons are twice as long as collegiate seasons and that's not including run's through the post season. Take a guy that's been coaching in college for five years, compare him to a guy who has been in the league for the same amount of time, and your NBA coach is going to have coached twice as many games.
Just as a side note to that, add playing career days in as a point guard and you've got a guy with his hands on game decisions. Gosh, think about the amount of game film he's done on basketball?
It's such a...unique move, I'm certainly not disappointed in the hire. It's a change in the position, for an experience end, we've not seen at Alabama.
Just as a side note, anyone want to throw Cal's name in this thread and how he did with the Nets?
Good Lord, this is a great hire. The man has coached in the NBA. I'm as happy as a clam.
Alabama is relevant in basketball now. Imagine:
"Most of the time, in the NBA, we look for this, this, and this. You have it. I can work with you, just like I did with so-and-so, and you'll be ready."
Does that not sound appealing? And don't tell me an NBA coach doesn't know the game. I'll reiterate. This is a great hire.
Alabama is relevant in basketball now. Imagine:
"Most of the time, in the NBA, we look for this, this, and this. You have it. I can work with you, just like I did with so-and-so, and you'll be ready."
Does that not sound appealing? And don't tell me an NBA coach doesn't know the game. I'll reiterate. This is a great hire.
planomateo
Member
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