Brooklyn Kidd No More

                                 

    Late last week, Jason Kidd, then head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, asked ownership for  more of a role in the organization. In short, he wanted to bypass Billy King and take over basketball operations for the Nets. After the 2012-2013, Kidd retired from basketball and signed a 4 year, 10 million dollar contract to coach the Nets. In the first 31 games of the 13-14 season, the Nets went 10-21. It looked like things were going to go south and Kidd could be let go, but instead Kidd insisted that highly paid assistant, Lawrence Frank be let go instead. By seasons end, the Nets finished about .500 and the 6th seed in the East.

   After the season ended, Steve Kerr and Derek Fisher(both rookie coaches, like Kidd) got 5 year 25 million dollar deals. It seemed from there Kidd got power hungry and some what jealous. This is where he wanted more power with the Nets. Ownership said no way. From there, he told them he wanted out and forced his way to the Bucks and became their head coach. Here's where my problems with this start.

   Compared to LA, NYC, and Boston, Milwaukee does not feel like a true sports town. In any of their sports teams(including the Packers), they don't seem to attract many star athletes. Yes the Packers have Aaron Rodgers and Brewers Ryan Braun, but who do the Bucks have? Larry Sanders? They just drafted Jabari Parker, but he's a rookie and no one really knows what he will bring.

   There has also been no word about any kind of raise or promotion in the works. As of now, Kidd will still be getting paid his 2.5 million dollars just like with the Nets. What was his real motivation here? Did he really have some kind of beef with ownership or hierarchy? He not only got Byron Scott fired as head coach of the Nets, but he forced his way out of their as a player around the same time. He also fought his way out of Dallas.

   The biggest problem, in my opinion, is where the Bucks are now as a team. They finished dead last in the Eastern Conference, with a 15-67 record and the 2nd pick in the draft. The only player who seems to really have potential(not including Parker) is Brandon Knight. His average points per season only seem to be increasing. 2011-12 it was 12.8, then went to 13.3, and this past season went to 17.9 per season(ESPN.com). Kidd had Garnett(yes a little older but still productive and looking to sign), Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Brook Lopez(when healthy), and Paul Pierce(who the Nets had a good chance of retaining with Kidd) in Brooklyn. They had the potential to rise from 6th in the East to maybe as high as 4 or even 3, if they are completely healthy. Jason Kidd was stupid to leave Brooklyn! They gave him his opportunity to coach, and he bailed! It may take years for Milwaukee to contend! Like they say in Brooklyn, Fuhgeddaboutit!