[Los Angeles Times]
Jason Kidd landed the Brooklyn Nets‘ head-coaching gig Tuesday, just 10 days after retiring as a player.
The former point guard was considered one of the smartest players during his 19 NBA seasons, and he led the Nets to back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in his six-plus years with the team.
Still, is it possible for any first-time NBA coach to have success without first working his way up as an assistant?
It’s helpful for new NBA head coaches to have NBA assistant-coaching experience.
It’s not absolutely necessary in rare cases.
Just ask Doc Rivers and Mark Jackson.