Jason Kidd just recently talked to the media about retiring from playing basketball, but the future NBA Hall of Famer was the center of attention once again Thursday when the Brooklyn Nets held a press conference to announce their new head coach.
Jason Kidd admits he has a lot to learn about coaching
The Brooklyn Nets held a press conference Thursday afternoon to introduce Jason Kidd as the team’s new head coach.
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Kidd obviously doesn’t have any head coaching experience, seeing as he announced his retirement at the beginning of the month, and acknowledged as much, saying that there might be some initial hurdles as he’s transitioning from being one of the NBA’s oldest players to becoming a rookie in the coaching realm.
The 40-year-old is confident his playing days will help him on that front, however -- specifically when it comes to his relationship with his point guard, Deron Williams.
“Yes, I have a lot to learn about coaching, but when I played the game I felt like I was an extension of the coach,” Kidd said during Thursday’s press conference. “Now I look to Deron to be that guy and to execute that game plan -- along with the rest of the team -- because I believe that we can win.”
Nets general manager Billy King said Kidd is exactly what the team was hoping to get when hiring a head coach.
“When this process started and we talked with Mikhail and the ownership, we were looking for coach that brings great leadership, that can help build us to where we want to get to and can show us direction and help our players to compete,” King said.
“We really wanted to resemble Brooklyn -- somebody that plays hard and that teaches hard to guys that play hard. Jason Kidd embodied everything that we were looking for.”
Kidd talked numerous times about his excitement for the opportunity, mentioning Mark Jackson -- a fellow point guard and assists leader -- as one of those that helped paved the way so he could make the jump from playing to coaching.
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