Nothin' But Nets
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Nets hiring Mike D’Antoni to pair with Steve Nash is stroke of genius

By Adam Weinrib

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 24: Mike D'Antoni of the Houston Rockets reacts during the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 24, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 24: Mike D'Antoni of the Houston Rockets reacts during the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 24, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The Brooklyn Nets are bringing in Mike D’Antoni and Ime Udoka alongside Steve Nash, and this feels like a legit coaching staff.

At one point in their not-so-distant history, the Nets hiring Mike D’Antoni as their head coach would’ve felt like a significant stretch.

Well, what about as an assistant?

Just months after he led James Harden and the Rockets into the battle in The Bubble, D’Antoni found himself a free agent, wandering the NBA landscape in hopes of landing somewhere where he could teach the ways of wide-open offense and the benefit of a quick bucket.

On Friday, it became official — Brooklyn was the place, as the Nets added D’Antoni and former highly-thought-of 76ers assistant Ime Udoka to their staff under first-year head coach Steve Nash. Both men will join Amar’e Stoudemire, a previous hire, and Jacque Vaughn, who was retained after his own excellent work in Orlando.

What…is happening?

With a core group of offensive gurus in place, all of whom have plenty of experience with one another, the Nets seem set to take full advantage of Kyrie Irving’s unique gifts: playmaking, speed, and scoring ability in the blink of an eye. Spencer Dinwiddie should also be doing jumping jacks in his place of residence this morning, as the value of the scoring guard spots just skyrocketed under D’Antoni’s watch.

And who better to work with Jarrett Allen and Nic Claxton than Stoudemire? We’re beaming.

Perhaps most importantly, the optics of the D’Antoni hire simply prove that the Nets thought it was a good idea to have an adult in the room, too. Is Nash a capable rookie head coach? We have no reason to believe he’s ill-equipped. But D’Antoni very recently led the top threat to the Golden State Warriors in the West, and he’s now going to take his old point guard under his wing once more in a transition role. How can you not be romantic about this combination?

For those of you who were hoping to see plodding, step-by-step basketball next season, we’re sorry.

But the run-and-gun Suns are now back, and their methods will be executed by one of the best point guards the NBA has to offer, and perhaps the league’s near-GOAT in Kevin Durant. You may now officially smile.

Who needs a third star?