PHILADELPHIA — On the same night Nets interim coach P.J. Carlesimo improved to 6-1, Phil Jackson did his best to quell any lingering speculation about his potential return to the sidelines.
The legendary coach, who owner Mikhail Prokhorov made no effort to hide was his top option to replace Avery Johnson after firing him, told SheridanHoops.com Tuesday night that, “I have no intention of ever coaching again.”
It was never a sure thing the 67-year-old Jackson would be receptive to the Nets’ overtures to return to coaching after leaving the Lakers following the 2010-11 season.
But while the statement Jackson gave didn’t include the word “retired,” it also didn’t rule out a front-office role of some capacity with a team, something he has hinted at having interest in previously.
Either way, Carlesimo said jokingly he wasn’t ready to believe Jackson just yet.
“I don’t believe Phil,” Carlesimo said with a big smile. “I’ve known Phil too long.”
* After missing the previous two games with a sprained left ankle, Kris Humphries returned to the floor in last night’s win, finishing with two points and three rebounds in 10:22 off the bench.
“I’m feeling better,” the power forward said. “I’m obviously not 100 percent, but I got to get out there and run around a little bit.”
With the Nets having another two days off until they play the Suns Friday, Humphries thought he would be back to normal by then.
“It was good to get [Humphries] in,” said Carlesimo, who said he would have liked to insert Humphries back into the game earlier in the second half.
* Carlesimo admitted after the game he initially wasn’t sure if he was going to stick with the same starting lineup he had been using recently, including Reggie Evans at power forward. That’s because of the matchup problems Sixers starter Thaddeus Young presents bigger and burlier players at the position such as Evans.
But Carlesimo’s decision was rewarded, as Evans not only finished with 23 rebounds, but also helped limit Young to just nine points and six boards.
“Reggie made it work,” Carlesimo said.
* The Nets were without Jerry Stackhouse, who was not with the team for personal reasons.