Empire Writes Back
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Brooklyn Nets next coach – Jacque Vaughn vs. the field

By Michael Gross

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 08: Head coach Jacque Vaughn of the Brooklyn Nets looks on against the Chicago Bulls in the first half at Barclays Center on March 08, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 08: Head coach Jacque Vaughn of the Brooklyn Nets looks on against the Chicago Bulls in the first half at Barclays Center on March 08, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /
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Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /

Familiar Names

Would bringing in Tyronn Lue be a bad idea? For the most part, Lue was LeBron’s puppet on the way to a Cavs championship but how could a coach turn down an offer from a potential championship team like the Brooklyn Nets. With Durant back from injury, Irving hopefully getting his act together, and an extra piece or two in the offseason, this team could look a lot like the team Lue coached back in Cleveland.

Another option could be Mark Jackson. Now an ESPN analyst, Jackson’s last coaching job was in the Bay Area before Steve Kerr took over in Golden State in 2014. Jackson and Kevin Durant have a close relationship due to Durant’s agent Rich Kleiman. The former St. John’s and Knicks guard is also a New York native which could help grab the attention of the fan base and add on to the hype.

A different road might point to Jeff Van Gundy. His last coaching job was 13 years ago with the Rockets but. Like Jackson, his job as an ESPN analyst has kept him in the spotlight.

Van Gundy was also the Knicks head coach many moons ago and led his eighth-seeded team to the Finals back in 1999. Still, the only eighth seed in NBA history to advance to the NBA finals. Sure, basketball was different 20 years ago but with the way the Nets are lined up for next year, they won’t be an eight seed.

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One potential candidate could be Greg Popovich. Now, this might be a stretch but it has been clear that Pop and the Spurs are coming to a fork in the road. The Nets could use the pristine knowledge of Greg Popovich to their advantage.

Whether the Nets sign him for a multi-year contract or even just for a year to mentor a coach in their system. Plus, Durant and Irving have been coached by him on the national team in the past.

The whole basketball world knows that Pop is a top-five coach in NBA history. He has a career win percentage of .676 and helped San Antonio to the playoffs every year but his first in 1996-97. Greg Popovich could be the veteran coaching presence the Nets need.

Next. Nets season proves failure. dark

Through all the hypothetical future coaches, the season hasn’t concluded. Jacque Vaughn and the Nets are currently the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference with 18 games to go. Vaughn’s audition isn’t over yet and provided basketball comes back. A good run might make the interim head coach could become the permanent head coach.

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