A “power-move” in sports is considered one that takes guts and more importantly, clout. Jason Kidd just attempted a “power-move” and failed miserably. The former head coach of the Brooklyn Nets attempted to gain personnel duties in addition to his coaching position and the Brooklyn Nets would have none of it.
Kidd is now the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks as they instantaneously fired Larry Drew. Part of the deal was two-second round picks going back to Brooklyn as part of compensation (Kidd was still under-contract with Nets).
First off, you have to feel for Larry Drew. The man coached the Bucks for one season in which they were supposed to tank, and now he’s gone. Secondly, Kidd just did something that coaches have an “unwritten” rule about: never go after another man’s job while he’s still employed. That move comes back to bit you down the road.
But should we be surprised about Kidd’s latest actions? This is the same man that has endured such a checkered past, which continues today.
Kidd retired from basketball only a year ago. Unlike many old-heads that have coaching aspirations, he was given a shot by the Nets to not only coach, but bypass all roads that lead to coaching (many assistant jobs over many years: see Patrick Ewing).
After one season, which was not spectacular by the way, he had the intestinal-fortitude to attempt to force Billy King out of office and take over his job as general manager of the Nets (after only one average year on the job), according to SI.com>. It’s been reported that Kidd and King did not see eye to eye on many things since December of 2013.
This is the same man that rid the team of Lawrence Frank’s services early in the season after they did mesh (oh by the way Kidd begged ownership to bring Frank in before the season started).
Kidd is the same man who forced Byron Scott out as head coach of the Nets back in 2003 after two NBA Finals appearances, according to NYPost.com>.
The same man who also has pleaded guilty to domestic abuse on his wife back in 2001; and needed to take several anger-management courses for this. Oh yeah, he also has a DUI (driving while intoxicated) under his belt while playing for the Knicks in 2012. His brilliant plan of getting behind a wheel ended his Cadillac Escalade up 25 feet into the woods.
At the beginning of last season Nets fans actually thought to themselves that they “had their man.” The guy that would return “home” and lead them back to the promise land.
This weekend however, they realized that some guys do not change their ways, and will attempt to do anything that serves themselves better.
Kudos to Mikhail Prokhorov and the Brooklyn Nets organization for not putting up with such silly Jason Kidd demands and ridding themselves of such a below average character. Nets fans: although he will always be one of the greatest Nets’ players of all time; you will be better off without him.