Nets agree in principle for Johnson to take over as coach
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Johnson, who guided the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA finals in 2006, will take charge of a franchise that was a league-worst 12-70 last season.
Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, who bought the Nets last month and has pledged to breathe life into the moribund franchise, also expressed delight with the appointment.
Johnson, who has been working as a television analyst since he was fired by the Mavericks in 2008, takes over a team that set an NBA record this season for losing their first 18 games.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"We want to play tough, hard-nosed defense and we are going to move the ball on offense," Johnson said. "It's all going to begin with training camp where we will start building a foundation for the future.
Known as 'The Little General' for his on-court leadership as a player, Johnson helped guide the San Antonio Spurs to an NBA Championship in 1999.
(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Alison Wildey; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)