BOSTON — The record is dismal and disappointing. The contract is only for one year. But the coach is not worried.
In fact, Don Casey was surprised when the subject of his job security with the Nets was approached yesterday after he prepped his 1-7 Nets
for tonight’s encounter with the Celtics. Now, eight games in seems dreadfully early to begin discussing the subject, but Casey was asked if he was concerned.
“Why would that be? After seven, eight games?” said Casey, who earned a one-year deal during the summer after filling in the final 30 games of last season on an interim basis. “I don’t know where you draw the line. They may have a better track record but I’m sure the [Houston] owner isn’t saying to Rudy T. [Tomjanovich], ‘How come you haven’t won a game at home yet? We might have to get someone else.’
“If we expect instant success in a year, then fine, then that would be it,” Casey continued. “But that’s not the way the ownership [envisions] it. It’s a relatively young team, 22,23, 24 [years old] of which one of them [Kerry Kittles] is out. I don’t think it’s a natural question. I think some people might say, ‘How are you going to grind through this to get through the year?’ rather than say, ‘Well, let’s look somewhere else.'”
Maybe because the record is 1-7 or maybe because the Nets now have a corporate buddy in George Steinbrenner, who has been known to make a change or two in his day, the question arises earlier than seems prudent. But it came up and Casey put on his best game face.
“If anything, they [ownership] have been encouraging. I don’t think they think it’s necessary [to give him personal assurances],” Casey said.
“I have nothing to say about that and that’s not to be construed as anything negative,” said Net principal owner and co-chairman Lewis Katz.
A spokesman for Steinbrenner said the Boss was “out of pocket” and was not commenting on the matter.
While the Nets’ record is offensive, it should be stressed that they are going without two of their key components, guard Kittles and center/forward Jayson Williams. After surveying the situation following practice at Boston University — where Kendall Gill sat in one corner feeling woozy and dazed from a head shot during Wednesday’s 109-107 defeat in Detroit and Kittles did some knee-strengthening running on the far side — Casey gave a quick rundown on the current state of affairs.
“Kendall is not feeling well. Kittles is still sore. Lucious Harris has the sprained ankle but he’ll be able to play and [Scott] Burrell has the Achilles,” Casey sighed. “Outside of that, Gheorghe [Muresan] is good, [Jamie] Feick is getting to be normal and Keith [Van Horn] is Keith.”
And how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln?
Players are supportive of Casey and noted that he has not changed in his personality although they realize he is feeling the pressure to win.
“I’m not worried (for him). It’s obvious he wasn’t the reason we lost those games. Players play on the floor,” said Van Horn, who stressed that “personality-wise, he hasn’t changed. He’s not the type to overreact to situations and he hasn’t. He’s trying to instill a positive attitude.”
Stephon Marbury observed Casey hasn’t gone “out of his personality or character” but did offer that “he’s been like everybody else, kind of lethargic, trying to find different ways to win. Do I think he’s feeling any pressure? If it was vice versa what would you think? There’s always pressure to win.”
Gill didn’t practice at all.
“I was feeling woozy and dizzy, that’s all. I should be all right [for the Celtics]. I plan on playing.”