While assistant coach Eddie Jordan interviewed in Denver yesterday for the Nuggets head coaching position, the Nets remained busy completing details on off-season chores. That included formulating their summer league roster and making plans to see their first-round pick, Nenad Krstic, compete in the Global Games in Dallas this week.
The Nets received a commitment to play in their summer league from 6-10 power forward Kevin Lyde of Temple, a guy who absolutely intrigues them. Lyde, without a real college weight program, finished as the third player in Temple history to record 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.
Tamar Slay, a 6-6½ guard from Marshall picked by the Nets on the second round, has committed for the Boston Summer League.
While pleased to have Lyde, the Nets were disappointed when two guys they hoped to bring in – Fordham guard Smush Parker and Oklahoma forward Aaron McGhee – declined invitations and will hook on with other clubs. They have not heard back from Hawaii shooting guard Predrag Savovic.
The Nets called Parker immediately after draft night when they chose Krstic at No. 24. Krstic is scheduled to play in the Global Games, an international event for players 22 and under, in Texas starting Thursday. Nets representatives will be on hand to see him.
Jordan, meanwhile, met in Denver with GM Kiki Vandeweghe in what Nuggets officials called “a feeling out” interview. Denver is in the process of massive rebuilding. Jordan is a hot commodity after his success with the Nets offense.
“Ideally, I’d like someone with head coaching experience who’s a good teacher,” said Vandeweghe, who will bring in Utah assistant Phil Johnson today.
Vandeweghe already has interviewed Donn Nelson, the Dallas assistant, as well as Clyde Drexler and Alex English. Both Johnson and Jordan were head coaches with the Kings. In a season and a half, Jordan was 33-64 in the pre-Chris Webber Sacramento days. Johnson, 60, compiled a 236-305 mark with the Kings.
Jordan, along with Nets assistants Mike O’Koren and Lawrence Frank, have reached verbal agreements with the Nets as their contracts expired June 30. All that is needed are signatures.
The contract for director of scouting Ed Stefanski, who saw Krstic play and who has been an important player in recent drafts, also is up and is in the negotiating stage but no snag is foreseen.
