The Brooklyn Nets introduced Jason Kidd as their new head coach on Thursday. After 19 seasons in the NBA, Kidd has decided to hang up his sneakers and pick up a clip board. Kidd played for five teams during his 19-year career, including 7 seasons with the Nets when they were in New Jersey. Kidd’s time with the Nets is looked at as the best years of his career, as he led the franchise to their first ever NBA finals appearance. Now, Kidd is back with the Nets to lead them from the bench.
With the Nets being link to such veteran coaching names like Brian Shaw and Lionel Hollins, I was a bit surprised when they made the hire of Kidd. He has always been known as some sort of “coach on the court”, but it is still surprising to give the job to a guy who has zero experience in coaching. Usually, guys must earn their stripes as assistant coaches before picking up a head coaching job. Look at Patrick Ewing for example, he has been looking for a head coaching job for years. He is a well-respected assistant coach, but nobody has given him a shot as the head man in charge. Obviously, the Nets see something special in Kidd for them to give him the head job so early.
I like Kidd, and I think that he could grow in to a successful head coach in the NBA. That being said, I think it could be a bumpy road to get there. As far as the X’s and O’s go, Kidd will do just fine. It is the off-court stuff that I worry about. NBA head coach’s have a lot to deal with when it comes to travel arrangements. They are responsible for having their team in the right place at the right time. Seems simple, but when you are juggling 100 other things, it may not be so easy.
Also, a key part of a NBA coach’s job is player management. NBA players can be very egotistical, and it will be part of Kidd’s job to try and control the egos on his team. Deron Williams, whether fair or not, has a reputation of a coach killer. He has constantly ran successful coaches out of town, both with the Nets and Utah Jazz. Keeping Williams happy will be a key part of the job for Kidd. If the Nets’ star point guard can get back on track the sky is the limit for the team next season.
I think that this was a very risky hire for the Nets, but Kidd has the potential to be a great NBA coach. If he can deal with the off-the-court problems, I think Kidd will be very successful. I see a rough year or two for Kidd in Brooklyn, but if he can survive that, I think he will become very successful and the Nets will have made a great hire. Stick with the guy Brooklyn, you will not be sorry.
