Brooklyn Nets coach Jason Kidd suspended for two games
Head coach Jason Kidd (L) and Deron Williams (R) of the Brooklyn Nets during off-season practice.(Getty Images)
Brooklyn Nets’ head coach Jason Kidd has been suspended for two games by the league for pleading guilty to driving while impaired.
The 40-year-old first-year coach will miss Nets’ season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers on 30th October and their home opener against the Miami Heat on 1st November. Assistant Lawrence Frank is mostly likely to take Kidd’s role on the touchline while he serves his ban.
Kidd, who led the Nets to the 2002 NBA Finals when they were based in New Jersey, should make his regular-season coaching debut against the Orlando Magic on 3rd November.
Kidd pleaded guilty to a drunken-driving charge after he crashed his SUV into a pole in July 2012. Apart from the mandatory two-game ban (league precedent for pleading guilty to DWI-related charges), the future hall of famer will complete community service of speaking to students about the perils of drinking and driving.
The former point guard, who retired at the end of last season after representing cross-town rivals New York Knicks, was the surprise choice for Brooklyn’s vacant head coach position.
After the acquisition of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce from the Boston Celtics, the Nets are expected to challenge defending champions Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference.