This edition of News and Rumors focuses on head coaches current, and possibly future, as well as a coach with a complaint. June Jubilation is here baby.

In Avery I Trust

I know everyone wants to hear G’s impression of Avery Johnson again (if you missed it, check our podcast archives), and now I get to hear it for 82 games. Johnson has agreed to become the next head coach of the New Jersey Nets. Johnson is best known for his playing days with the Spurs, but he also has the highest winning percentage in NBA history for a head coach (.735). Granted it’s in only 264 games, but that still counts for something, right?

I am a Nets fan; I’ll admit it, even after last season. I wasn’t ecstatic when I heard about this signing. I always assumed they would get a bigger name coach. But then I realized that three guys would NOT be coaching them in 2010-2011: 1) Mike Brown, 2) Kiki Vandeweghe, and 3) Mike Brown. Let’s go Nets.

The Doc Doesn’t Like the Flop

After Game 3 up until the tip of Game 4, Celtics coach Doc Rivers complained about the refereeing. He feels that there were a ton of moving screens and off the ball fouls that were not called on the Lakers. In addition to that, he feels Derek Fisher is a flopper. Here’s Rivers, when asked about how Fisher is so successful in drawing fouls while being screened:

“What? Besides flopping? He doesn’t do a lot extra. He plays hard. He’s been in the game long enough to understand. I thought he got away with a lot last night. I thought there was a lot of holding going on and a lot of flopping going on and he finally showed that last one.”

Fisher flops, yes. All players in the NBA do it from time to time and if they don’t mind being called floppers, then they will continue to do it. Also, if this is a mind game to get Fisher to falter, think again Doc. Fisher is a rock and nothing can shake him. Fisher answered, “I don’t have a reaction, really.”

In regard to his complaints on foul calls, has Doc been watching both sides of the ball in this series? There have been fouls EVERYWHERE! I do agree that there are calls not being made, but the physical play has been absolutely ridiculous. There hasn’t been one play in this series that did not have a foul. They can’t call them all, but they almost did in Games 1 and 2 in LA. The Celtics were just outplayed in Game 3. Rivers complaining won’t get him any more calls, it will just dig into his wallet.

Tidbits:

• Don’t ask me why, but it’s rumored that Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo is seriously considering becoming the next coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. I think both sides are crazy for considering this. The Cavs need to bring someone in who can keep LeBron around, and Izzo has a comfy job and could end up with a 20-win team next year.
• Andrew Bynum almost didn’t make it to Game 4 of the Finals after having some difficulty with his knee during shootaround before the game on Thursday. He did start however, but I wonder if he’ll make it through the series (I say yes).
• I’m writing this while watching Game 4 of the Finals and I just heard some Celtics fan yell “shoot it” as soon as Ron Artest got the ball – 40 feet from the basket, hahah.

-Shooter