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NBA Rumors: Nets fans shouldn’t like Tyronn Lue emerging as favorite to land coaching job

ByJerry Trotta|
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 11: Head Coach Tyronn Lue of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre on January 11, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 11: Head Coach Tyronn Lue of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre on January 11, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

Tyronn Lue is leading the head coaching sweepstakes and that shouldn’t excite Nets fans.

With the Brooklyn Nets’ underdog bubble narrative officially terminated after getting swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Toronto Raptors, the front office can now finally address the head coaching “vacancy.”

As we know, former head coach Kenny Atkinson was relieved of his duties back in March, just weeks before the NBA regular season was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak. Brooklyn responded by appointing assistant Jacque Vaughn to the interim post, and he impressed to the point where the franchise is said to be considering hiring him permanently.

The latest buzz has indicated that the position is down to a three-horse race between Vaughn, Tyronn Lue and (believe it or not) Gregg Popovich. According to the New York Post, however, there’s a surprise name that has the edge in the sweepstakes.

As of this writing, Lue is the current favorite to land the job.

Fans in Brooklyn shouldn’t be thrilled with this news.

Lue’s lone experience as a head coach, though he did win the 2016 NBA Finals with the Cavaliers, featured 2.5 seasons with LeBron James running the show in Cleveland. That’s it. He was then fired after an 0-6 start the year after LBJ left for the Lakers. After what we saw Vaughn do with a depleted roster in the bubble, is Lue really the best option here?

This whole coaching scenario should have Nets fans feeling it’s Popovich or bust, but that’s far from guaranteed.

We all knew it was going to be extremely difficult for Brooklyn to pry Popovich from the San Antonio Spurs, with whom he’s won five championships, posted a .675 winning percentage, and has established a historic legacy across the last two decades. Convincing the future first ballot Hall of Famer to leave that safe haven, even with the Spurs’ future being unclear, still seems like a longshot.

However, the initial report that linked him and the Nets showed real promise. The fact that news outlets are now tabbing Brooklyn’s aspirations as more of a pipe dream than a reality is incredibly disconcerting considering where we seemed to be earlier in the week.

Unfortunately for fans in Brooklyn, general manager Sean Marks’ comments on his efforts to reunite with his longtime associate are the opposite of encouraging.

“Pop has a job; so I’ll say that,” the 45-year-old GM told WFAN. “And, obviously we all know he’s an amazing, amazing coach, and to be quite frank, an even better leader. So, I’ll let Pop continue to coach for the Spurs. He owes it to them and they owe it to him. I’m sure he’s quite happy there.”

Sorry, Nets fans, but it doesn’t seem like Brooklyn has a realistic chance at landing the Spurs legend. There’s still time for that to change, but it sounds like Pop will be returning to San Antonio for his 25th season.

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