Avery Johnson and his wife, Cassandra, went to their first Broadway show after his interview with Nets president Rod Thorn. That was when the Little General was absolutely certain he wanted to coach the Nets.
The play was “Jersey Boys.”
Hey, he could have come out of it wanting to be a choreographer.
“I had never been to a Broadway show,” Johnson said. “We’re sitting in the play, looking at each other because I told her after interviewing with Rod, ‘Honey, I’m really convinced I want this job.’ ”
The rest, as they say, is real recent history. Johnson, 45, armed with a three-year deal worth roughly $12 million, yesterday formally was introduced as the coach to lead the Nets’ latest championship aspirations.
Johnson, who won a title with the Spurs in 1999 as a player, made all the expected promises.
“I am going to work morning, noon and night to win the big trophy,” he said.
He reiterated the importance of free agency, offering his pitch, which will have the support of billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov.
“We feel we can go from worst-to-first and you can be a part of that,” Johnson said.
You getting all this, LeBron James? Johnson, Prokhorov and Thorn have not mentioned a free-agent name. But figure those two guys at James’ doorstep July 1 will be Nets owner and coach. Johnson repeatedly flashed a huge smile yesterday, showing his charm and softer side.
But it wasn’t the smile that got him hired.
“His knowledge,” Thorn quickly offered when asked for reason No. 1 that brought the guy with the NBA’s highest-ever (.735) winning percentage to the Nets’ sidelines. “We went through the whole gamut of what coaches do and I was very impressed with his knowledge, particularly on the defensive end.”
And Thorn admitted the fact Johnson “flat out knew our team stone cold, strengths and weaknesses” certainly didn’t hurt.
Johnson developed a demanding, no-nonsense reputation in three-plus years with the Mavs. And it’s something the Nets need.
“I want a coach that holds people accountable,” Thorn said, “whether it’s your best player or your 10th-best player. His reputation is he holds people accountable. To me that’s a good thing.”
Johnson saw enough of the NBA version of “Jersey Boys” last season to know he could help and to make the job appealing. Midway through the season, the thought of coaching the Nets appealed to him, despite the horrors of the season.
“I thought they were a little bit better than a 12-win team. I didn’t think they were very good defensively,” Johnson said. “I didn’t think players from an individual standpoint took the individual challenge of playing defense. I saw too many blow-bys. I don’t think they were tough minded. Some of it’s simple. But some of it is just a complete overhauling of, first of all, a mentality.”
Johnson raved about what the Nets have on hand — Devin Harris, Brook Lopez (down 20 pounds due to a recent bout with mononucleosis), both in attendance, along with Courtney Lee, plus the draft picks and free agents. Want to doubt the Nets? Go ahead. Johnson’s been there.
“I’m a person that’s always been a fighter. I was doubted as a player. There were those who said the Spurs would never win a championship with me as a point guard,” Johnson said, noting his hiring in Dallas also was ripped early. “I’m about dreaming. I have a big dream in my mind in terms of where this franchise can go.”