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Remember back in the middle of the 2010-2011 season when Jerry Sloan resigned as Utah Jazz head coach and everyone pointed to the relationship between Sloan and then Utah point guard Deron Williams as the reason? Well, in 2013 DWill told the media he would be open to playing for Sloan and a day later Sloan said he’d be open to the idea of coaching Williams again. This comes just days after the controversial firing of Brooklyn Nets interim head coach P.J. Carlisimo.
Nets GM Billy King has not officially started his search for the team’s next head coach, but he has told the media he would reach out to Phil Jackson. In an unexpected move last week, the Detroit Pistons announced that Jackson would provide consultation to team president of basketball operations, Joe Dumars, in regards to his coaching search. As far as the Nets go, Sloan is the only available coach who has confirmed himself as a possibility so far. He has told Comcast Sports Net Northwest that he “would listen” if called by the team.
There didn’t appear to be any confusion in the firing of Carlisimo meaning the potential interest by other coaching candidates didn’t seem to factor into his firing. In recent interviews, Carlisimo has told the media that the only scenario that would allow him to keep his job would have been an NBA Championship.
In his career Sloan had a regular season win/loss record of 1221-803 which makes him third on the all-time head coaching win list. If the fact that he is now 71 years old is not an issue, this would be an excellent hire. Especially if both Sloan and DWill are genuine about being okay with the possible reunion.
Tony Graham is an NBA writer for www.RantSports.com.
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