Brooklyn, NY

The Brooklyn Nets clarified that the firing of interim coach P.J. Carlesimo has nothing to do with the team's early exit in the playoffs.

"It was more of an evaluation of the entire season," general manager Billy King told the New York Times. "It was a difficult decision. Looking at the long term and future with this organization, I felt it was best to look elsewhere and try to find the right fit."

The Nets bounced back from a 3-1 playoff deficit by winning two straight games but lost in Game 7 to the Chicago Bulls.

Carlesimo replaced Avery Johnson on Dec. 28 and went 35-19 during the regular season, the best start by a coach in franchise history.

King said that the coaching search will begin immediately but clarified that the team is not in a hurry to find a replacement that could instill mental and physical toughness to the Nets.

The general manager added that he's planning to contact former Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson and offer him the coaching vacancy.

"I'll reach out to him like other candidates," King said. "He's one of the best coaches sitting on the sidelines, so you've got to reach out."

However, King clarified that coaching experience is not a major factor, citing the success of Chicago's Tom Thibodeau and Miami's Erik Spoelstra, who had no previous head coaching stints before they were hired.

"Some guys are just natural," King said. "So I think you just have to talk to guys. Head coaching, assistants, overseas. We're going to look everywhere."

iHaveNet.com