The Brooklyn Nets lost their coach, Jason Kidd, to Milwaukee but have not missed a beat in replacing the former point guard’s role as head coach. ESPN’s Marc Stein is reporting that the Nets are close to a deal with former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins.
@ESPNSteinLine : Nets and Hollins are in the final stages of hammering out a multiyear deal that will pay former Grizz coach in excess of $4 million annually
Hollins led the Grizz to three consecutive playoff appearances in his last three seasons with the team. Including a historic moment for the NBA and the Grizzlies in 2011 when the 8-seeded Memphis Grizzlies beat the 1-seed San Antonio Spurs in 6 games, even without their star at the time, Rudy Gay. In 2012-13, the Grizzlies won 56 games and advanced all the way to the Western Conference finals. That would prove to be Hollins last season as head coach for Memphis. Hollins’ contract was not renewed due to philosophical differences between him and ownership of the Grizzlies. Guess Justin Timberlake couldn’t cut him a break.
The Brooklyn Nets wanted to move quickly from the Jason Kidd saga which got ugly, fast. The Nets and Kidd didn’t agree with Jason Kidd wanting to take more a Doc Rivers/Flip Saunders/Stan Van Gundy role with the team, being coach and president of basketball operations at the same time. Current GM Billy King, was having none of it and Kidd quickly was removed and sent to Milwaukee for two second round picks. Kidd being traded again, it’s like he never retired from playing.
The Nets make out very well here getting two second round picks and getting a great coach who his players loved. Holling has a great defensive scheme and can implement Garnett and Lopez inside to possibly do some real damage while allowing Deron Williams to control the tempo of the game much like he had Mike Conley doing in Memphis. Lionel Hollins and his crooked fingers seem to be a great fit in New York.
