Former teammate of Kidd backs coach: “(his players are) not responding right now”

Despite a dismal 9-19 start to his head coaching career, Brooklyn Nets coach Jason Kidd has supporters around the league, both in the Nets locker room and out.

After the team’s embarrassing 95-78 Christmas Day loss to the Chicago Bulls, Kidd and Kevin Garnett reportedly tore into the team in the locker room, standing in unison against what they felt was a poor effort from the team’s roster.

Last night, one of Kidd’s former teammates watching from the sidelines was asked about the new head coach, and he sympathized with Kidd’s plight.

“He’s in a tough situation because (his players are) not responding right now,” Dallas Mavericks forward Shawn Marion told Dwain Price of the Star-Telegram. “I think deep down he can be a really good coach.”

A vexed Kidd called his team out for a lack of response in his postgame press conference Wednesday. “Sometimes the response is a little delayed,” he said, baring a frustrated smile. “Hopefully we can get that response on Friday (against the Bucks).”

Kidd and the 35-year-old Marion were teammates on the Mavericks from 2009 to 2012, winning an NBA championship together in 2011.

Like every person in the NBA, Marion praised Kidd’s basketball IQ. He added through Price that Kidd can’t bother himself with reading the media, particularly in New York’s media climate. “He just has to stay positive and things are going to turn around for him.”