Charles Barkley holds Brooklyn Nets’ star trio responsible for Steve Nash’s firing: “All of a sudden these guys start acting like fools and jacka**es”
The Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday announced they had parted ways with coach Steve Nash, moving on after a 2-5 start this season.
After another loss, 108-99 to the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night under interim head coach Jacque Vaughn, NBA legend Charles Barkley voiced his frustration. On "Inside the NBA," he turned his ire to Brooklyn's big three:
"Just a bad look. From a public perception, you let these players run this man off his job because they were acting like fools. This is all on Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons. Steve Nash is a scapegoat.
"I was watching these shows today, this team, they're pretty good in the playoffs like three, four years ago. So, nobody was talking about how bad of a coach Steve Nash was three or four years ago.
"This is all on Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons. Steve Nash is a scapegoat."
Chucks shares his thoughts on the Nets https://t.co/DxZgtQoUn9
"All of a sudden these guys start acting like fools and jackasses. And now, 'Oh, Steve Nash can't coach.' Like I said, I don't know if Steve Nash can coach, but I know three or four years ago he was winning them playoff series."
As the front office explores the market for Nash's replacement, the team has a two-day break before its next game. The Brooklyn Nets will battle it out against the Washington Wizards on Nov. 4.
Is it right for the Brooklyn Nets to pursue Ime Udoka?
Following the firing of Nash as head coach, the Brooklyn Nets are rumored to be pursuing Ime Udoka. Udoka was suspended by the Boston Celtics after it was revealed that he violated team policies.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, he seems to be the top candidate for the Nets' coaching job:
"They're well into those converations now with Ime Udoka. There are discussions that have to take place with the Celtics before Brooklyn could finalize a deal for Udoka.
"Boston's stance all along had been, Udoka could get another job, whether it was an assistant or a head coach. He was free to leave.
"A deal could be finalized as soon as tomorrow to make Ime Udoka Brooklyn's new head coach."
Hiring a suspended head coach could send a wrong message to other staff members of the organization. Not to mention Kyrie Irving's recent actions in which he promoted a film that encourages antisemitism. Putting two people who have caused a whirlwind of events for their organizations in one locker room could lead to a disaster.