The Brooklyn Nets have made it clear that their high-profile abode is only suited for a high-profile figurehead. With three Finals appearances, one championship, and Hall of Fame-topping numbers under his waistband, Jason Kidd, then, seems like an ideal match. But the celebrated point guard has a history of questionable off-court decision-making and is only a month removed from retirement to qualify as a certified pick for the Brooklyn job.
Spurs mastermind Gregg Popovich is in the minority that Kidd can excel given the opportunity, saying:
“He certainly has the intuitive skills to know what’s going on out there. Obviously, he would be able to have relationships with the players that he’s had with his coaches throughout. So if that’s what he wants to do, and that’s who [the Nets] want to hire, I think he’s got an opportunity and a possibility to be really, really good at it.”
Popovich, not known for his vocal grace, isn’t offering empty words. Certainly because at one point he saw Jason Kidd as the perfect navigator to his Spurs vessel. Kidd’s ability to elevate a team’s dynamics within a season from the court end is many-times verified, but will it―or, can it―come from the sidelines?
Brian Shaw, also an ex-player and another candidate for the position, is an assistant coach on the Indiana Pacers team that made Miami see stars brighter than their own. He’s a student of the triangle offense, which coupled with the defensive grit of Indiana, could put the Nets into second or third-round playoff contention. So Jason’s legitimacy looks less unshakeable in the presence of someone who has the coaching resume. There’s also the issue that the Nets’ unit asked for a veteran coach after seeing P.J. Carlesimo collect his pink slip.
There’s no question Kidd deserves to coach at some point―he’s a sure bet Hall of Famer and is an established architect of teams. Having retired in the same stretch of time as his Rookie of the Year co-winner Grant Hill, it would be a momentous occasion to extend his legacy. But there might be too many unknowns for the Brooklyn Nets to take a gamble on a guy twice caught drunk driving, and who once plead guilty to domestic abuse. Leaders make their mark after the sirens start, not before.
