The other day, Frank Vogel agreed to become the Lakers next head coach. While this is a big move, I am more interested in the Lakers choice in an assistant coach: Jason Kidd. While Kidd has experience as a head coach, his role as an assistant is very intriguing, and could be a key piece in bringing the Lakers back to the mountaintop. Let’s look at his work as a head coach, and what it means for the purple and gold.
Kidd with the Brooklyn Nets
Prior to their second season in Brooklyn, the Nets wanted to make a splash. Trading for an aging Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, the Nets were hoping to build a contender. To do this, they needed a coach, and they decided to call up former PG Jason Kidd. With Kidd at the helm, Brooklyn went 44-38, and lost in the conference semifinals. This was a disappointing season, as the Nets had given up three first round picks, and the right to swap picks, to Boston for KG and Pierce.
After this season, the Nets tradedJason Kidd to Milwaukee for two second round picks. The Nets regressed under Lionel Hollins, going 33-48 before being bounced in the first round by the Hawks. The following year, Brooklyn went 21-61, showing the Kidd at least was a decent coach. However, the sudden downturn can also be attributed to the hole the Nets dug themselves by mortgaging their future for aging superstars.
Jason Kidd in Milwaukee
After being traded , Jason Kidd went 41-41 in his first season with Milwaukee. While this is not great, this was a vast improvement over the 15-67 record from a year prior. With a still developing Giannis, an injured Jabari Parker, and a relatively unknown Khris Middleton, this shows Kidd’s coaching job was much better than the record shows. Following a 33-49 2015-2016 season, Kidd had to perform to keep is job. Well, he went 42-40 the following season, and was knocked out in the first round by Toronto. He was fired the following season after going 23-22, and didn’t coach this year. His firing, however, was very interesting.
What made Kidd’s firing so interesting was who came out in support of him: Giannis Antetokounmpo. Upon hearing of his coach’s impending release, Giannis asked, “What can I do? I’ll call the owners, I’ll call my agent.” It is rare to hear a young player love a coach this much, especially a player on the precipice of greatness. This shows that Kidd is a players’ coach, and this will help him in LA.
Kidd in LA
Lebron James knows his NBA history. While he has had former players as coaches, none of them were as successful as Jason Kidd. Walking into that locker room, Lebron will have immediate respect for Kidd. Lebron even described the hiring as “amazing.” Kidd will also help players outside of Lebron (yes, the Lakers have those.) For example, Lonzo was compared to Kidd coming out of the draft. If he can tap into Lonzo’s potential and mold him into a fraction of what Jason Kidd was, Lonzo will be great. With Kidd in the mix, the Lakers have a chance to win their 17th ring.
Even if I am wrong and the Lakers do even worse next year, we will always have Jason Kidd: fashion icon.
