Report: Jason Kidd to become Nets' next head coach
Jason Kidd will be named the Brooklyn Nets' next head coach, ESPN reported Wednesday evening, citing sources "close to the process."
The longtime NBA star, who has no coaching experience, was apparently chosen over Indiana Pacers assistant coach Brian Shaw, who reportedly underwent a five-hour interview earlier in the day.
But Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov apparently liked Kidd's presentation more, according to the report.
"The job is Jason's," ESPN said, citing an unnamed source.
Even though he has no prior coaching experience, Kidd reportedly convinced Nets' ownership and management that assistant coach Lawrence Frank, who previously served as head coach of both the Nets and Detroit Pistons, will be a strong presence for Kidd to lean on.
Plus, throughout much of his career, Kidd had a reputation of being a player who liked to help other players as a somewhat defacto coach.
It's that reputation that should be a major factor in Kidd helping Nets' player Deron Williams, who is close friends with his likely new coach.
P.J. Carlesimo was not retained at the end of this past season, although the Nets were 35-19 under him after he took over for Avery Johnson less than one-third of the way into the season.
