How will the Brooklyn Nets fair with new coach Jason Kidd?

Recently I posted an article entitled the top 5 losers in last years N.B.A season. The list had teams such as the Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, L.A. Lakers, and the L.A. Clippers. Left off of the list were the Brooklyn Nets, a team who had an early exit in the playoffs but a promising future. Since the exit they lost co-owner Jay-Z, fired head coach P. J. Carlesimo, and replaced him with Jason Kidd who is fresh off of retirement and no coaching experience. The Brooklyn Nets first season in their new home could have brought new hope to their fans who have longed to see their team atop of the N.B.A. For many N.B.A teams the road to a championship are taken in steps. Rebuild, experience coach, young stars, make the playoffs, find a better coach, make it deep into the playoffs, win a championship with in the next three years. With so many coaching changes made this past season, the choice of Jason Kidd seems to be a set back. The Nets have a talented team and with the right coach could make a strong push to challenge the top of the eastern conference for years to come. Before you believe that this is a Jason Kidd bashing take note that there is almost nothing that Jason Kidd can not do in the N.B.A. He was one of the smartest players in the league, and is sure to become one of the smartest coaches.

The N.B.A is changing. So many of the coaches many are accustom to are no more. N.B.A owners a starting to realize the potential of assistant coaches. With coaches such as Tom Thibodeau, Mark Jackson, and even Eric Spolstra having great success, teams can enjoy a fresh approach to the future of the game. So many teams in the East are looking for the chance to reach the N.B.A finals. Great coaches win championships, plain and simple. The Nets look to surround Jason Kidd with an experienced coaching staff with the likes of Lawrence Frank and more to help him with the struggles of being a new N.B.A coach.

Jason Kidd will not be moving into a rebuilding project as other new head coaches often run into. The roster includes the likes of Deron Williams, Brook Lopez, and Joe Johnson which begs to mention that if Kidd can harness this roster they can be very dangerous in the future. While the Brooklyn Nets are a talented team, what they seemed to lack in this years playoffs was the determination to win. The Nets lost in 7 games to the Chicago Bulls, but it was not due to a lack of talent but a will to win. The team seemed disinterested during it’s first round lost to the Bulls who were out manned in the series missing many key players including former M.V.P Derrick Rose. This attitude will have to change if the Nets would like to make a deep run in the playoffs and keep their ever growing fan base.

So what must Jason Kidd do to make the Brooklyn Nets successful? It will start with Brook Lopez. The 7ft. center must play an even bigger role in the years to come. While he lead the team in scoring and blocks last season, the ball will have to come through him even more next season. He has a polished game down low and can dominate in a league which has so few centers who can defend him. Lopez must intern become more active in rebounding. His six rebounds a game will not cut it. Joe Johnson must do something he has never done in his career, prove that he is worth the money he is being paid. He seemed lost in the playoffs and seemed like he could care less. He is not a leader and at this point in his career there is no reason to assume that he will become one. Joe must be more assertive on offense and attack the basket rather than settling for jumpers. Deron Williams is the key for the whole teams future. Jason Kidd will almost certainly relate to another point guard, and Williams is the guy who must be the leader of this team. Deron Williams must regain the style of play will bring him back to top point guard status.