In a series of interviews today before throwing out the first pitch during the 7:05 New York Yankees-Los Angeles Dodgers game (a strike!), new Brooklyn Nets head coach Jason Kidd (used to it yet?) talked about a variety of Nets- and Kidd-related topics, including his staff, his vision, and his DUI hearing.
Kidd confirmed that he’d spoken with both former New Jersey Nets coach Lawrence Frank and former New Jersey Nets assistant Roy Rogers about his assistant coaching staff, but no decision has been made. Kidd made another desperate plea for Frank, admitting that he’d “publicly recruited him, because I really need him and want him.”
Tim Grgurich, who had been rumored to be on Kidd’s list of potential assistants, was not a potential assistant, Kidd added.
In an interview with NetsDaily, Kidd spoke about a few more wide-ranging topics, including his goal of winning a championship, getting Nets forward Gerald Wallace back on track (saying that he’s a “point forward” and “I think he has a lot more to give”), and some insights into the team’s draft strategy.
Since the Nets are already a playoff-caliber team, Kidd wants to bring someone in that’s going to help right away. “You’re going to a guy who’s been in college for three or four years, that knows how to play. … You’re not putting together a team that won 15 games that’s going to develop, that’s going to take time. You’re looking at trying to win a championship.”
No one has impressed Kidd at the workouts he’s attended. The only potential draftee he’s seen in workouts is Tony Mitchell, a 6’9″ sophomore forward from North Texas.
Kidd also denied reports today that a court hearing regarding his DUI last summer hearing will occur Thursday, June 20th, saying instead that the hearing is sometime “next month” in July:
#Nets Jason Kidd said previous reports of his court date tomorrow for DUI rap on Long Island were inaccurate. Hearing is next month he said
— Fred Kerber (@FredKerber) June 19, 2013
Kidd suffered minor injuries when his vehicle hit a pole and veered into the woods in Water Mill, Long Island. Many have reported that the pending charge, if convicted, could carry up to a year in prison.
Mike Mazzeo of ESPN later confirmed with Southampton police that Kidd is due to appear in court July 11th, during the NBA Summer League in Orlando, which Kidd is expected to coach at:
Jason Kidd's court appearance is July 13, not today, according to a Southampton Town Court spokesperson. #Nets
— Mike Mazzeo (@MazzESPN) June 20, 2013
Spokesperson who sent me Kidd's next date accidentally typed July 13th instead of July 11th, which was actually previously reported. #Nets
— Mike Mazzeo (@MazzESPN) June 20, 2013
New York Post — Kidd has interviewed potential Nets assistants, but no hires have been made
