Buried in a story by Milwaukee Bucks beat writer Gary Woelfel on Saturday night was a tidbit about the Nets reportedly having interest in former Bucks coach Scott Skiles. From the Journal Times:
The NBA pre-draft camp is always fraught with rumors. One that started percolating Saturday pertained to Brooklyn’s search for a new head coach.
Some NBA officials claim the Nets are honing in on Lionel Hollins, Memphis’ coach whose contract will soon expire. The Nets’ interest in Hollins is hardly surprising, especially considering the terrific job Hollins has done this season.
What is surprising, though, is that the Nets also have put Scott Skiles on their short list. Skiles was fired by the Bucks in January after four-plus tumultuous seasons in Milwaukee. Under Skiles, the Bucks had constant internal issues and qualified for the playoffs just once.
This should come as no surprise to anyone who has been following Brooklyn’s slow-moving head coaching search though. Last week, Sam Amick of USA Today, reported that Skiles was indeed on the Nets’ list. At this time, we’ve heard the current list of coaches consists of three names — Skiles, Lionel Hollins, and Brian Shaw — all of whom have been recently connected with the opening in one way or another.
As for Skiles, he’s a 49-year-old, Indiana native who’s compiled a 443-433 (.506%) winning percentage in his 13-year head coaching career. His last stop with Milwaukee started in 2008 and ended with a “mutual parting” this past January. Skiles didn’t quite enjoy coaching the Milwaukee Bucks and did not want an extension with the club that would have kept him around past this season.
In 42 career playoff games, Skiles is just 18-24 and has never made it past the second round. He is known as a tough-minded coach who occasionally clashes with players. During the 2010-2011 season, Skiles’ Bucks finished dead last in OffRtg but also finished fourth in DefRtg.
