It used to be that the path from player to coach in the NBA required at least a couple of years as an assistant, executive or broadcaster.
Not anymore. Jason Kidd has shattered that notion, making the switch from player to coach in less than a month when he was hired by the Brooklyn Nets, the same franchise he led to consecutive appearances in the NBA Finals 10 years ago.
Kidd is one of the smartest players in league history, and has seen it all over a 19-year career. But the fact remains that he has no experience as a coach of any kind, which makes his chances for success one of the NBA’s great unknowns.
Kidd’s hiring may have been made a bit easier by the quick success enjoyed in Golden State by Mark Jackson, another long-time point guard who only served as an analyst before being hired as coach of the Warriors.
Speculation already has begun regarding Kidd’s staff, which may depend on what offense he wants to run with the Nets. There also is some intrigue regarding his relationship with Nets star point guard Deron Williams, a friend who is now a subordinate.
In this video with Brian Clark of Cinesport, I discuss all of those issues. Just click on the box to give a listen.