Debby Wong-USA Today Sports
The more Jason Kidd speaks, the easier it is to realize how the Brooklyn Nets could hire him as their head coach fresh out of his sneakers.
When speaking about the newly acquired 37-year-old Kevin Garnett on Friday, Kidd wasn’t too secretive about likely prohibiting Garnett from playing both ends of back-to-backs, which would be a brilliant move to keep him fresh and healthy.
“When you look at KG, probably no back-to-backs, but those are just topics right now that are being thrown around,” said Kidd, according to ESPN.
The Nets have 20 back-to-backs on their schedule, but because of their overall scoring depth with Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce and Brook Lopez in the starting lineup, Garnett’s absence in some of those games shouldn’t be much of a hindrance.
It’s the defensive end, however, where Garnett will be missed. The intensity he brings to that side of the game is nearly unmatched league-wide, and the rest of the Nets will have to find a way to play with that same edge they’ll lack when he’s sitting out games.
As far as the power forward position is concerned, this should open up playing time for rookie Mason Plumlee if he doesn’t end up getting into the rotation while Garnett is made available.
But it isn’t necessary for Kidd to only limit this philosophy to Garnett. At 35, Pierce is also getting up there in age. With the proven veteran Andrei Kirilenko on his bench, Kidd could have the option, at least every now and then, to slide him into Pierce’s spot and utilize Mirza Teletovic as the backup small forward during those nights.
When it comes to Garnett, though, Kidd isn’t looking to try anything cute.
And the ability to make wise coaching decisions like that is why he got the job in the first place.
Mike B. Ruiz is a Brooklyn Nets writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @mikebruiz and “Like” him on Facebook.
