BOSTON — Nets president Rod Thorn had his list of wants in a new head coach. Avery Johnson met them all.
Including a defensive philosophy. And as attractive as that is for a team that rarely defended last year, it is just part of the package.
“In Dallas, his winning percentage is among the highest in the NBA (.735, actually the highest). As a player, he was an overachiever who ended up playing on a championship team . . . was always known as a bright, tough, competitive guy as a player,” said Thorn, who yesterday confirmed Johnson’s hiring.
“Through the interview process, I felt very good about him,” Thorn added. “He knew a lot about our team. . . . He has a defensive philosophy that is something we definitely need. I was impressed with his basketball knowledge, was also impressed with his attention to detail.”
The final details of Johnson’s three-year deal worth about $12 million were being completed. The Nets will formally introduce Johnson to the media on Tuesday. Johnson will introduce the Nets to his defensive concepts as soon as possible.
“For the most part, all of my teams were good rebounding teams, good defensive teams,” Johnson said. “We have a system where we like to give up 95 points or less and 44 percent field goal shooting or less and out-rebound our opponents. It’s going to take a lot of work. We’re just trying to lay a foundation.”
The Nets tried to lay a foundation last season. They fell in a hole. Should Johnson get the Nets, who were 28th in rebounding while surrendering 48.1 percent shooting and 101.5 points, to defend and rebound, there will be only one question: Who are these guys and what did you do with the Nets?
And owner Mikhail Prokhorov, in a statement, praised the selection and indicated it is a start of better things for a team that was 12-70 last season.
“The hiring . . . is a wonderful first step toward building a winning team,” said Prokhorov, citing Johnson’s “leadership qualities, knowledge of the game and ability to motivate. . . . This is the beginning of what I hope will be many more exciting announcements to come before the start of the season.”
Johnson, 45, comes with a reputation of being a taskmaster, a perfectionist. In Dallas, there was a strained relationship with Devin Harris, but Thorn said a conversation with the point guard allayed any fears on the new homefront.
“He felt he certainly had his moments with Avery, but felt Avery was a very good coach and really helped him in the long-range scheme of things, and held everyone accountable,” Thorn said.
And accountability was another appeal.
“Players are very astute about coaches. If they feel a coach is not prepared or doesn’t know what he’s doing, players pick it up in an instant,” Thorn said. “If they feel that some guys are held accountable and some aren’t, they also pick that up in a hurry. If you’re firm but fair, and treat people with a modicum of respect, you tend to get respect.”