The clock is ticking, says McGann
The Scott Watch
Day four: the Kidd/Scott Crisis
Okay, Iíve been watching too much MSNBC (and I wonít even begin to discuss those odd dreams about spanking Ashleigh Banfield with Saddamís beret), but we need to do what we can to drive ratings here at JoeNetsFan.
If you read the Saturday papers, it might appear that the Kidd/Scott feud is overblownÖan exaggeration of a minor tiff. But read closer, my friends, thereís a heap of non-denial denials, and I as said earlier this week, the original report is dead on accurate, as multiple sources have confirmed to Joe and others.
So, letís officially kick off the Scott Watch. The clock is ticking and Byron Scottís days as head coach of the New Jersey Nets are numbered. Firing Scott may not be enough to keep Jason Kidd on the Nets, as the single biggest issue may be the hinted drop in the salary cap, which would only leave the Spurs with about $7 million per for Kidd, far, far less than the Nets could pay him on a max contract.
But letís set that aside. If Kidd is gone after this season, then this may be the Nets only shot to win it all, and as such, they need a real coach, not a mouthy poser. As I noted earlier, being in or near first place (I canít explain how the Sixers keep winning, but they are, and they could catch the Nets shortly if this tailspin doesnít end) isnít assurance of keeping your job with Yankee-Nets. Robbie Ftorek was sacked as head coach of the Devils in March, 2000 with the team in first place in the division, but the players tuning out the coach. Assistant Larry Robinson took over and three months later, the Devils were hoisting the Stanley Cup. So you have to know team management isnít even slightly worried about pulling the trigger, and unless things improve radically within two weeks, Scott will be gone, replaced by Eddie Jordan.
Why not Jeff Van Gundy? Heís still under contract to Cablevision to coach the Knicks until seasonís end (which is why he hasnít been hired elsewhere already) and I think we all know how well Cablevision and Yankee-Nets get along these days, so Jeff isnít getting out of the contract. Contract issues aside, Iím not sure Van Gundy is the right guy at this time, anyway. He runs a very different system than Jordan uses, and while I do think he is among the more talented professional coaches (and would always choose him over Phil Jackson, thank you), I think heíd need a full training camp to have success with this team. Besides, Jordan, who really didnít get a fair shot coaching an under talented Sacramento Kings, deserves to get a shot at running this team.
My guess is that Jordan will take over this team within a couple of weeks unless the Nets start winning again. George Steinbrenner and Lou Lamoriello arenít going to let this go very far. Thereís too many reasons, from keeping up the pressure on Cablevision over YES (and ratings to keep ad dollars up during playoff games and with legislation pending in the New Jersey Assembly), to the final push to getting the deal to build the new arena in Newark (which is almost a done deal, now that thereís a plan to develop the East Rutherford site and get the votes of Bergen County politicians). Losing isnít an option, as the Nets need fannies in the seats for the playoffs.
If the Nets donít win (at least a return to the NBA Finals) both Kidd and Jordan could be gone. Kiddís departure seems likely if this team doesnít go far enough. Without Kidd, Jordan will be shown the door as ownership turns to Van Gundy, both to tweak Cablevision and for the back page value, as well as the fact that the little guy always did more with lots of badly matched talent than anyone coaching in the NBA. I always wondered what heíd do with a balanced, talented team, not filled with overpaid faded superstars, and the Nets could be that teamÖnext year.
But hereís what my gut tells me: Jordan gets the job, the Nets beat Dallas in the NBA finals, and Kidd gushes his love for New Jersey (at least the $110 million he can earn there) and the NBA, after three decades, finally takes firm root in New Jersey, with a new arena announced this summer.
HeyÖa guy can dream, and at least this one doesnít involve headwear and a TV anchor-chickís naked posterior.
- Mike McGann
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