Popovich’s advice to Kidd: Stay Positive



“Stay positive,” Kidd recalled Popovich telling him.

That may be the best advice Kidd’s received.

Every arena Kidd steps in, there are handful of reporters wanting to know why.

Why are the Nets, with more than $100 million in payroll, sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference?

Why does Kidd’s team look disinterested?

Why is Jason Kidd, less than a year removed from playing, coaching the Brooklyn Nets, with a roster including Deron Williams, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett.

So many questions, so few answers.

But here Kidd was, standing outside the visitors’ locker room at the AT&T Center answering questions about his then 10-20 basketball team.

One of the questions he was asked: What he’s learned about coaching in the NBA after 30 games.
“There’s a lot,” Kidd said. “It’s too long for me to tell you right now.”

Kidd said he didn’t have time to dig too much into what he’s learned because he “has a game to coach.”

That game: A 113-92 blowout at the hands of the Spurs on Tuesday night.

Asked to give just a few things, Kidd answered: “There’s a lot of work. There’s fifteen guys you have to worry about; to make sure they’re prepared and ready to go.”

Short and sweet.

Popovich has been through it all, though. He knows how much work goes into getting an NBA team prepared to play 82 games – plus more in some cases.

The one thing Popovich had on Kidd before he was named head coach of the Spurs in 1996: Experience.
“If it was a perfect world,” said Popovich, “having experience would always help, no matter who it is. There are people who’ve been around for a long time, played for a lot of guys and kind of know what they want to do, and what the want to stay away from, and Jason, hopefully he can be one of those guys.”

Kidd supporters will argue that he can’t be judged as a head coach, not yet at least. Kidd hasn’t had a full team all season, and with the season-ending injury to center Brook Lopez, there won’t be a full Nets team for the remainder of the season.

Popovich acknowledged Kidd’s misfortunes in his first season at the helm.

“He’s had a tough run,” he said. “It would have been tough enough just with all the new players getting used to each other, both personally and basketball wise, let alone all the injuries they’ve had. They’ve had it very, very tough.”

Told of Kidd remembering his advice, Popovich said: “It’s tough to do, but that’s the only choice.

“Be himself, stay positive; keep on coaching, keep on demanding, be consistent and create that culture. He’s tough enough to do it.”

Jabari Young

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