On Tuesday afternoon, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Nets had fired Steve Nash.
Ime Udoka emerged as the leader to be Brooklyn’s next coach and the two sides began discussions, according to Shams Charania.
“Ime Udoka has emerged as a strong frontrunner to be the next Brooklyn Nets head coach and the sides have begun discussions, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Nets are in the midst of their search process and are continuing to do due diligence.”
Despite Ime Udoka being the front-runner for the Nets’ job, one NBA source believes only one coach can get the Nets to the Finals. That coach is Mark Jackson.
“There’s only one coach that can [get] Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Ben Simmons to the finals, and that’s Mark Jackson.”
The last time Jackson was a head coach was during the 2014 with the Golden State Warriors, and finished with a 121 – 109. Jackson was let go and replaced by Steve Kerr after back to back playoff appearances.
Two years ago, during a conversation with Reggie Miller on Instagram Live and shared he wanted to coach again.
“I look forward to the day, I’m coaching again,” said Jackson.
Around the same time, Kevin Durant’s business manager Rich Kleiman talk Jackson and Durant’s connection.
‘I want Mark Jackson to coach the Nets’, but there was a story in the New York Post just this last week where it was posited about Mark Jackson or Jason Kidd, who obviously was with the Nets before and left after one year. You know, (Kleiman) pretty much said he liked the idea. It is known that Mark Jackson and Kevin Durant have a good relationship. Those Tweets and the Jackson/Nets possible connection with Durant have not gone unnoticed in the NBA.”
