Spurs' Gregg Popovich endorses Jason Kidd as coach
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich speaks during a news conference after practice at the American Airlines Arena in Miami. (June 7, 2013) Credit: AP
Gregg Popovich said Jason Kidd would be a welcome addition to the coaching fraternity.
The Spurs' coach has always admired Kidd's talents and mind. When he was told that the recently retired Kidd has emerged as a candidate for the Nets' coaching vacancy, Popovich said he has the tools to do the job.
"When you've played in the league as long as Jason has and played for a number of coaches, he's pretty much seen everything that the NBA can offer," Popovich said before Game 2 of the NBA Finals. "So he does have experience.
"If he's crazy enough to want to be a head coach in the league, I wish him all the best. But he certainly has the intuitive skills to know what's going on out there. Obviously, he would be able to have relationships with the players that he's had with his coaches throughout."
Kidd, who was a member of the Nets and the Knicks during his Hall of Fame-caliber career, retired as a player last week. He played point guard for 19 years and has long been considered a coach on the floor.
When he retired, Kidd said he wanted to get into coaching or broadcasting. He is scheduled to meet with Nets general manager Billy King this week about their coaching opening. "If that's what he wants to do and that's who they want to hire," Popovich said, "I think that he's got an opportunity and a possibility to be really good at it."
New NBA award
Kidd finished third in the voting for the NBA's new Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award, which went to former Knick and current Clippers guard Chauncey Billups Sunday night. Miami's Shane Battier was second.
The award, named after Jack Twyman and Maurice Stokes, recognizes friendship and selflessness among teammates. NBA players vote on the award and were not allowed to pick someone on their team.
