See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Joseph Staszewski
Brooklyn Daily
Dear Mr. Kidd,
How’s Milwaukee? I hear it’s nice up there. I hope you have time to check out the Third Ward, go to a Brewers baseball game and visit the Harley Davidson Museum. Back in Brooklyn, we’re doing just fine.
On behalf of Brooklyn Nets fans, I just want to take the time to send you this thank you note and wish you well. You have again made us a better organization. The first time it was by playing for us and leading the Nets to consecutive trips to the NBA Finals. This time it was by leaving and taking your ego to Milwaukee. It opened the door for Lionel Hollins to become our coach.
You won’t be missed here in Brooklyn. Hollins is a breath of fresh air and, in my opinion, a better coach. He has 20 years of experience and comes off as a straight-shooting and well-mannered man. Hollins took the small market Memphis Grizzlies to the Western Conference finals in 2013. Imagine what he might do in the weak Eastern Conference.
Shipping you to Milwaukee also allowed the Nets to acquire second round draft picks in 2015 and 2019. Those are precious in this market. Nets and Knicks fans have seen plenty sent away over the years, but actually acquiring them? Wow. Thank you again for helping us to invest in our future.
I give you credit. You have a history of getting what you want, whether it was who was coaching you, who you were coaching with, and now who you will be actually coaching.
By asking for more power in the Nets organization and to leapfrog general manager Billy King, it meant more power, prestige, security, and likely money if owner Mikhail Prokhorov had agreed to it. If denied, you’d land softly on your feet with pal and new Bucks owner and former financial advisor Marc Lasry. All the backstabbing and back dealing also cost former Bucks coach Larry Drew his job in a most unprofessional manor. Bravo.
Unlike you, the humble Hollins just wants to coach, and flat out said so. He is happy for the opportunity so few in this world get. Hollins isn’t a headline stealer. He was embarrassed to have his face plastered on the Barclays Center’s video billboard. Still, his press conference was a night at the Improve compared to the blandness you brought each time you were behind a microphone.
The Nets are better as an organization today than they were two weeks ago thanks to your departure. Best of luck in Milwaukee, and don’t worry about us in Brooklyn. We will be sure to thank you once again next time you’re in town.