Lionel Hollins — Head Coach
The man stepping into Jason Kidd’s shoes couldn’t be much more different in terms of what he brings to the table. Where the Nets took a gamble on Kidd, as a franchise legend, and a leader on the court, in hiring Lionel Hollins they know exactly what they’re going to get.
Hollins is an NBA lifer, and during this season he will pass the 40 year anniversary from when he first entered the league as a player with the Portland Trail Blazers.
As a head coach, Hollins boasts a .516 winning percentage, and as a result he will immediately have the respect of his players. In his last NBA coaching stop, Hollins consistently overachieved with the Memphis Grizzlies. The way he ran that team with a core trio of Mike Conley, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol should give Nets fans a preview of how Deron Williams, Kevin Garnett and Brook Lopez will be utilized this season.
Much like he did in Memphis, expect Hollins to push the Brooklyn Nets into being more tenacious defensively, and looking to score the majority of their points in the post.