Here are three under-the-radar coaches the Nets should consider hiring.
Is it fair to say that the Brooklyn Nets’ head coaching search is heating up just a little over a week after they were swept by the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the playoffs? Maybe not, but the rumors surfacing seemingly every couple days suggest that it will soon enter the sweepstakes conversation.
If we’ve learned anything from the latest rumblings, it’s that general manager Sean Marks is keen on hiring a high-profile coach. Look no further than the links to Spurs legend Gregg Popovich and Clippers assistant Tyronn Lue.
However, that isn’t to say Brooklyn isn’t looking to restructure the entire coaching staff. Outside of interim hero Jacque Vaughn, we wouldn’t be surprised if the Nets debut a plethora of new faces on the sidelines next season.
Spurs open door slightly for Nets' Gregg Popovich dream scenario https://t.co/QgfGLNI4cS pic.twitter.com/avMQTtKBec
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) August 31, 2020
Given that Marks clearly wants to hire somebody with a proven playoff track record in order to appeal to superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, let’s take a closer look at a few under-the-radar names the 45-year-old GM should pursue as assistant coaches.
3. Jerry Stackhouse
Jerry Stackhouse would be an intriguing option for the Nets.
Jerry Stackhouse’s coaching potential became evident after he led the Raptors 905, Toronto’s G League affiliate, to a championship in 2016-2017. That season, he was rightfully honored with the (then) NBA D-League Coach of the Year award.
How did the former two-time All-Star respond? By taking the 905 back to the finals the following year, so it’s clear he knows how to get the most out of his players.
The 45-year-old has since signed a six-year contract to become the head coach at Vanderbilt. While it would be a terrible look for him to leave the Commodores after just one season, it might be the best move for his aspirations to become the lead guy at the next level.
It’s not often that NBA organizations dip into the college coaching pool, and a positive showing as an assistant with Brooklyn could really expedite Stackhouse’s ambitions. Marks and Co. are clearly seeking out a candidate that flaunts experience in the Association, and the former UNC star fits that bill as his pro career lasted a lengthy 18 years.
We would be fully behind the Nets hiring Stackhouse.
2. Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan should step right on down if the Nets hire Gregg Popovich.
It took less than three years after Tim Duncan’s retirement for him to join the Spurs coaching staff as a lead assistant, which made it clear he would love nothing more than to become a head coach down the road.
However, not all former players make a seamless transition to coaching in the NBA, which leads us to believe that Duncan would be better suited learning under Popovich’s wing for as long as possible before he takes that leap. If the coaching legend ends up leaving the Spurs for Brooklyn, we see no reason why Duncan shouldn’t follow him.
We’re not sure how realistic it would be for the Nets to pry both of them from San Antonio, but Marks’ ties to the organization make it seem like a possibility. The 15-time All-Star developed a wealth of knowledge across his 19-year career, and Brooklyn could really prove to benefit from having him on its coaching staff.
It’s difficult to imagine Duncan turning his back on the Spurs, but some time away from the franchise could do him wonders before he (presumably) returns and takes the reins from Pop for the long haul.
1. Maurice Cheeks
Cheeks would bring a wealth of knowledge to the Nets.
It’s been well-documented how much pull the likes of Durant and Irving are going to have in Brooklyn’s coaching search, so why not bring aboard an assistant who boasts a ton of experience coaching the former?
Maurice Cheeks has spent nine of the last 10 seasons as an assistant for the Oklahoma City Thunder. In fact, he came over the same year (2009) that Durant was drafted, so he’s really had a monumental impact on the two-time Finals MVP’s career from his first days as a pro.
Across eight seasons as a head coach in the NBA, Cheeks compiled a 305-315 record, which indicates that he’s better suited as an assistant.
Though the likes of Scott Brooks and Billy Donovan deserve most of the credit for OKC’s consistency for the last decade, Cheeks has been the one constant face. It goes without saying that the Thunder are one of the best run organizations in the league, and the 63-year-old has played a prominent role in their ascension, which makes him our leading dark horse (assistant) coaching candidate for Brooklyn.