Four hours after firing Johnson, the Nets named Carlesimo interim coach while declaring the search for a new permanent coach will “commence immediately.”
Carlesimo has some cachet, having been the head man in Portland, Golden State and Oklahoma City. He is best known for being choked out by Latrell Sprewell during a practice in Golden State 15 years ago this month. In the aftermath, it became known that Carelsimo was somewhat of a taskmaster who was much harder on players than most NBA coaches.
Carlesimo is 204-296 overall and 3-9 in the playoffs. He had three winning seasons and three first-round exits in Portland. He lasted two-plus seasons in Golden State and one-plus seasons in Oklahoma City, making the move with the franchise from Seattle.
The Thunder fired Carlesimo after losing 12 of their first 13 games in the 2008-09 season, when Carlesimo tried the ill-fated experiment of playing Kevin Durant at shooting guard.
Carlesimo may have done his best work as an assistant on Gregg Popovich’s staff in San Antonio from 2002-07, where he was part of three championship teams. Positive public endorsements from the highly regarded Popovich helped Carlesimo get another head coaching job.
Speculation of permanent options include Stan Van Gundy, Nate McMillan and – of course – Phil Jackson.