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NBA: Best player and coach pairing from each team’s history

By Tony Pesta

LOS ANGELES - MARCH 2: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs talks with head coach Gregg Popovich during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 2, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Spurs won 106-78. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - MARCH 2: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs talks with head coach Gregg Popovich during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 2, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Spurs won 106-78. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Copyright 2002 NBAE Mandatory Credit: Andrew Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images
Copyright 2002 NBAE Mandatory Credit: Andrew Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images /

Best coach/player pairing in Brooklyn Nets history: Byron Scott & Jason Kidd

Point guards have been described as an extension of the head coach. A good point guard should be able to act as a general on the floor, orchestrating the offense and keeping his team focused.

Jason Kidd is one of the best to ever do this and it is largely due to the assistance of his head coach, Byron Scott.

Scott is no stranger to running an NBA offense. Playing the guard position next to Magic Johnson in the 1980s, Scott saw first hand how to lead a team at an elite level.

Naturally, Kidd soaked up all of this information from Scott and elevated his game. Already a six-time All-Star by the time he joined forces with Scott, Kidd managed to reach back-to-back NBA Finals in his first two seasons with the New Jersey Nets.

Kidd averaged 14.9 points and 9.0 assists per game with the Nets, finishing as the organization’s assists leader with 4,620. Kidd also leads the franchise in steals and total 3-pointers made.

Sadly, the Nets ran into two legendary franchises in the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs in each Finals appearance. Both resulted in disappointing losses. Regardless of their shortcomings, Scott and Kidd proved to be an effective pairing that nearly won it all.