Jason Kidd has officially been announced as the new head coach of the Brooklyn Nets. He will be the team's third head coach in one year. After ending a storied 19-year career in the NBA, the point guard is making the jump to the sidelines immediately. Known for his leadership and relationships with players around the league, he is getting plenty of praise for his move. LeBron James is one player that could not be more thrilled that Kidd is becoming a coach.
"I think it's amazing honestly. J-Kidd is unbelievable, one of the best teammates I ever played with-on the '08 Olympic team, he was one of the best friends I would have, on and off the floor. He's a student of the game. His basketball IQ is crazy and I think it's going to make it an easy transition for him to be a coach. It's a great for him," James said.
Kidd's ability to succeed in Brooklyn has been put into question considering he has no prior coaching experience before getting hired. He has only been retired from playing the game for less than two weeks before making the jump. That does not seem to bother James, who pointed out that plenty of former players have entered the coaching profession under similar terms.
"It's going to be a transition, but I don't know. He doesn't know. It's the first time for him, but it was the same with Mark Jackson. He had never patrolled the sideline either, but look at the great work he's done in Golden State. You play the game and you're smart, I think it can make the transition much easier for you. And he's not inheriting a bad team, he's inheriting a good team. So that makes the job easier too," James said.
James laughed when asked if he ever saw himself as a coach one day. The All-Star simply responded saying he was only 28-years old and had plenty of time to think about that.
James is not the only player singing the praises of Kidd. Nets point guard Deron Williams is thrilled that Kidd is the new head coach of the team. Another member of the '08 basketball team, Williams is happy to have his long-time friend in the organization. He understands Kidd is a risk, but a risk that could pay off in the long run.
