So much for no more talk.
After both the Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks said they were done addressing the matter, Nets coach Jason Kidd spoke with Bleacher Report about a variety of topics, including his departure from the Brooklyn Nets. Kidd said he wouldn’t change anything about how he left, and that contrary to popular belief, there “was no power struggle” between Kidd and Nets general manager Billy King, and reiterated that his ability to leave came down to Brooklyn giving permission to Milwaukee to speak with the Bucks about the head coaching job.
Here’s his answers to questions from Bleacher Report’s Ric Bucher:
B/R: What would you do different about your exit from Brooklyn?
JK: Nothing.
B/R: If they had given you what you were looking for, would you still be there?
JK: I didn’t ask for anything. I asked them to improve the franchise.
B/R: What’s the biggest misconception about how you left?
JK: The power struggle. There was no power struggle. There’s still no power struggle.
B/R: What prompted you to leave or ask out?
JK: They wanted to fire me, they didn’t think I was doing a good job, and when I say “they” I mean management. Then it all changed when things started going well. Also I think the biggest thing, and we don’t talk about it anymore, but Brooklyn gave Milwaukee permission to talk to me. That’s where it all starts and ends. It’s as simple as it gets. Everybody can run with their conspiracy theories or power struggles. But at the end of the day, Milwaukee asked Brooklyn for permission and they granted it.
B/R: At what point was Brooklyn talking about firing you?
JK: Early December.
B/R: So things got better, but you hadn’t forgotten that?
JK: Oh yeah. I don’t forget anything. But that never stopped me from doing my job.
It’s a bit weird that Kidd even answered these questions, considering that back when the Bucks came to Barclays Center he told reporters he was done talking. “Sometimes things, one side talks, the other side goes about his business,” Kidd said. “Again, I think you’ve heard from their side, it’s business. It happens.”
It’s also hard to fault Kidd for wanting the Nets to improve the franchise (if that’s really all he asked, which doesn’t appear to be the case) — the Nets have stumbled out to a 10-14 start and have taken a noticeable step back on the court this season, so much so that the Nets have begun entertaining offers for their “Big 3” core of Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, and Brook Lopez.
Either way, it seems like both sides are happy about the departure, even if it was an ugly ending: Kidd found his way out of a situation that he didn’t want to be in, and the Nets granted him permission to seek the opportunity.
Bleacher Report — From Brooklyn to the Bucks, Jason Kidd Reveals He Has No Regrets over Move
