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Nets Rumors: Mark Jackson Linked to Brooklyn’s Coaching Vacancy

By Jerry Trotta

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 29: Head coach Mark Jackson of the Golden State Warriors gives instructions in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 29, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 29: Head coach Mark Jackson of the Golden State Warriors gives instructions in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 29, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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There is finally buzz regarding the Nets search for a new head coach.

We are more than four months removed from the Nets’ shocking decision to fire Kenny Atkinson, who was previously regarded as the perfect head coach to lead the young and inexperienced side to becoming a perennial playoff contender.

As the weeks wore on, however, it was reported that Atkinson’s axing was a byproduct of Brooklyn’s cultural change following their signings of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in free agency last summer. In fact, rumors suggest that the two superstars, despite playing a combined 20 games this season, weren’t convinced about Atkinson and played a role in his abrupt dismissal.

After that, it was reasonable to assume that Durant and Irving would have a notable say in who the Nets hire next, and, according to ESPN insider Brain Windhorst, that is precisely what’s transpiring right before our very eyes.

Per Windy’s latest buzz, NBA analyst/commentator Mark Jackson has been heavily linked to Brooklyn’s ongoing coaching vacancy.

"“If you’re paying close attention to social media. Rich Kleiman, who is Kevin Durant’s business partner and is very influential, has been Tweeting about Mark Jackson recently” said Windhorst. “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.”"

In theory, the Nets hiring Jackson would make sense as he fits their profile of a player-friendly coach.

Furthermore, he runs an isolation-oriented offense, which would obviously appease to Durant and Irving. He even helped his former Golden State Warriors team make significant strides on defense. That would obviously be welcomed in Brooklyn, which ranked 18th in the league with 112.3 points allowed per game before the season was suspended.

There’s no way to know how much pull Kleiman and Durant have inside the Nets front office, but the surprise canning of Atkinson leads us to believe that fans should take the Jackson rumors with more than just a grain of salt.

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