Nets Hopeful Pitino’s Leaning Toward Big Move Press Conference Impresses New Jersey Forward Gilliam

Giving Rick Pitino any job he wants with the New Jersey Nets would be a major step toward righting one of the NBA’s weakest franchises, the team’s leading scorer said Friday night.

Pitino, who led Kentucky to the national championship at the Nets’ home arena in April, created shock waves Friday when he announced he was considering a multiyear offer to become New Jersey’s coach, general manager and co-owner.

Just a month ago, Pitino said he had no intention of leaving Kentucky.

“I think it brings a lot of credibility and respect to the organization,” veteran forward Armon Gilliam said of Pitino’s interest in coming to New Jersey.

“I think the players will instantly respect a guy who has had a track record like Pitino,” Gilliam added. “I think it also stabilizes things in New Jersey. That’s a key piece to put in place. You definitely want to do it before the draft. So the sooner, the better.”

Nets president Michael Rowe and board chairman Henry Taub met with Pitino and his agent Rick Avare for 3 hours Friday near the Cincinnati airport and offered the Kentucky coach a deal that would make him the best-paid NBA coach, Rowe said.

“The offer that was discussed today was complete enough that no further negotiations were scheduled or necessary,” Rowe said in a telephone conference call late Friday night. “The coach can make up his mind based on today’s meeting. It will be a matter of whether he stays in Kentucky or comes to the Nets. I do not believe there is another position, college or pro, that will come into consideration.”

Rowe said the meeting with Pitino wasn’t scheduled until late Thursday night, but he was now excited about the possibility of Pitino coming to New Jersey.

However, Rowe also added that the Nets will continue interviews with potential coaching candidates if Pitino says no to the offer.

“I want to make it clear we are not waiting for him to decide about our coaching vacancy,” Rowe said. “If our process moves along more quickly than his return, then we will conclude our process independent of an answer.”

Rowe said Pitino sees the Nets’ job as the perfect challenge, and the team is ripe for a turnaround.

“Rick Pitino is looking for a perfect basketball situation in the NBA that could take advantage of his talent,” Rowe said. “He is looking for an ownership committed to supporting him, winning. And we believe today that Rick Pitino and the Nets fit that combination.”

While hopeful Pitino would take the Nets job, Rowe wouldn’t be surprised if Pitino opted to stay in Kentucky.

“I know the situation at Kentucky is an absolutely wonderful situation and he’s made it that way because of his abilities,” Rowe said. “If his drive is to stay there, that is fine, but it won’t be because of any deficiencies in the Nets’ offer.”

After making the playoffs under Chuck Daly in 1993 and 1994, the Nets stumbled the past two seasons under Butch Beard, missing the post-season with 30-52 records.

This past season was particularly tough, with Rowe cleaning house by trading unhappy players Kenny Anderson and Derrick Coleman.

The talks were hush-hush, with some of the Nets’ seven owners kept in the dark. One of the minority owners, Don Unger, acknowledged he didn’t know anything about talks with Pitino.

However, Gilliam said he was encouraged by what Pitino said earlier Friday at a news conference in Lexington, Ky.

“It seems like he is leaning in this direction and that he will be a part of the organization,” Gilliam said. “You have to go on that. He’s made a lot of comments that are favorable toward New Jersey over the past week.”

If Pitino does come to the Nets as coach and general manager, that will cost current GM Willis Reed his job.

Although Rowe recently said Reed would be the team’s general manager next year, the former Knicks center upset owners with some recent decisions, including the hiring of Beard two years ago.

One thing that might have cleared the way for Pitino to come to New Jersey was a reorganization by the seven owners in which Taub was made the board chairman.

Taub has stayed in the background in recent years, but the team’s owners are trying to speak with one voice now that he is in charge.

That’s something Pitino likes, and it seemingly has him on the verge of joining the Nets.

“It’s kind of early to make a reaction,” Gilliam said. “It’s still up in the air. But I think that the sooner it can be resolved, the better off everyone will be. I think he’s a great coach.”

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