“The clock starts ticking on when you're going to be fired” – Former NBA player shares his thought on professional sports after Nets fire Steve Nash
The Brooklyn Nets saw enough and believed it was time to move on from Steve Nash. Former NBA player Brevin Knight highlighted that coaches do not have long to make a great impression in professional sports.
Many believed the the Nets could be championship contenders despite their offseason drama. It was a whole thing with Kevin Durant wanting to leave and giving the team an ultimatum if he were to stay.
The situation was very dicey, but some believed the amicable resolution might produce the desired result. Unfortunately, they cracked under the pressure.
Although it is popular knowledge that the NBA is now a players' league because of player empowerment, Knight articulated it. He stressed that coaches can get fired at any time. On "The VC Show," he said:
"It is a players league, always remember that. Anybody that becomes a coach, enjoy whatever guaranteed money that you get. Enjoy that you have put your family in a different position, but at the end of the day, you get hired, the clock starts ticking on when you're going to be fired. That's just the reality and professional sports today."
Nets fire coach Steve Nash
An NBA executive thought the Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers was going to be the first coach to be fired this season. However, Rivers is still in charge of the Sixers despite their equally poor start.
The Brooklyn Nets stood behind Steve Nash and general manager Sean Marks when Durant wanted them gone over the summer. That is why firing him a few weeks after the start of the new season came as a shock to the entire NBA community.
Nonetheless, it was reported that the former Phoenix Suns player lost his job on Nov. 1. Reports suggest that it was a mutual decision between the organization and Nash.
Steve Nash joined the Nets in 2020 and was criticized for most of his tenure. Most people in the media thought it was a tough task starting his career with the Nets, especially with the personalities on the team.
Fans were also unsure of his ability to lead the team to ultimate victory considering he had no previous experience as a coach. Despite the Nets being favorites to win it all for two consecutive seasons, they never made it past the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Ime Udoka could be Steve Nash's replacement
The Nets have already started to source a replacement for Steve Nash. However, assistant coach Jacque Vaughn has taken over the reins at the helm for the time being.
It has been reported that the Nets are interested in acquiring suspended Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka. Brooklyn has reportedly asked permission from the Celtics and has gotten the green light.
Udoka had an outstanding run with the Celtics last season. He led them to the NBA Finals in his first year as coach and swept the Nets on his way there.
However, he was suspended for a year after reports of inappropriate workplace behavior were brought to light over the summer. He was allegedly having relations with a female staff member, which violated the Celtics' code of conduct.
At the time of writing, no official announcement on who will replace Nash as coach was made.