The morning after the Brooklyn Nets snapped their four-game losing streak with a win over the Indiana Pacers, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the team had fired Steve Nash. This wasn’t a surprise move, although the timing of it is questionable, as the Nets are set to take on the Chicago Bulls in a back-to-back tonight.
After Kevin Durant requested a trade during the summer, Brooklyn’s future looked murky. Even after KD agreed to “return” to the Nets, it was evident that there were still issues rooted deeply in the organization. Brooklyn signed Durant and Kyrie Irving in the summer of 2019, and since then, the team has been a failure.
New York Knicks fans were understandably hoping to land KD and Irving a few years ago, but as we’ve said before, that duo opting to join the Nets turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Here we are now, and Brooklyn’s fired/agreed to part ways with its head coach after posting a 2-5 record through the first seven games of the regular season.
Frankly, Knicks fans should be happy for Steve Nash. No, he wasn’t exactly a good head coach, but he didn’t deserve to deal with the absolute dumpster fire that’s going on in Brooklyn.
Steve Nash had his flaws as head coach of the Nets, but good for him for getting out, honestly. Brooklyn is a dumpster fire
— Daily Knicks (@DailyKnicksFS) November 1, 2022
Nets firing Steve Nash could mean that more moves are on the way
There’s been one problem after the other for the Nets, which has been satisfying for Knicks fans to watch. After Brooklyn “fans” raved about how the team would be winning its first NBA championship with KD and Kyrie (and then James Harden), the Nets have done nothing except collapse.
Kyrie Irving’s off-court antics will never end, and if Brooklyn wants to turn its season around, he could be the next to leave. Imagine how relieved Nash must feel to no longer have to answer for Irving. Last season, the Nets were weighed down by Irving’s decision to not get the COVID-19 vaccine, and this season, he’s endorsed an antisemitic film (subscription required).
Jacque Vaughn will take over for Nash in the meantime, but according to Woj, Brooklyn’s expected to hire former Celtics coach Ime Udoka.
Suspended Celtics coach Ime Udoka has emerged as the likely next Brooklyn Nets head coach and his hiring could be finalized as soon as the next 24-to-48 hours, sources tell ESPN. Celtics will let him leave for another job.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 1, 2022
Hiring Udoka would certainly put the Nets back on the right path. You’d think that Brooklyn should want to escape the controversy, not face more head-on, but alas.
The Nets’ issues didn’t all boil down to Steve Nash. In fact, now that he’s gone, more issues could emerge. If Joe Tsai wants to turn Brooklyn around, not only could Kyrie leave, but a KD trade could finally materialize.
On Nov. 9, the Knicks will travel to Brooklyn to face the Nets at Barclays Center. How will Brooklyn look then? Only time will tell.
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