Tag: Jacque Vaughn

Report: Ty Lue, Jason Kidd, Jacque Vaughn leading candidates for Pelicans head coach

As the search begins for the Pelicans’ next coach, a trio of former lead men in Ty Lue, Jason Kidd and Jacque Vaughn are the early leaders.

The New Orleans Pelicans officially parted ways with Alvin Gentry on Saturday, a move that had been telegraphed for days and weeks. The Pelicans now move into the off-season with an opening for one of the most exciting young teams in the league and certainly will have plenty of interested candidates lining up for the job.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin’s interest in Clippers assistant Ty Lue and Lakers assistant Jason Kidd last week. Fellow ESPN writer Andrew Lopez corroborated those names on Saturday while adding a third name in current Nets interim head coach Jacque Vaughn. Lopez also brought up a name formerly connected to the Nets as an option in former head coach Kenny Atkinson.

It’s only the tip of the iceberg for rumors related to the Pelicans opening as certainly many names will be linked to the franchise. By firing Gentry early in the off-season, the Pelicans not only have some time to find a replacement, they also have every candidate available eyeing the opening, setting up for an interesting summer for New Orleans.

Jacque Vaughn receives Jamal Crawford’s stamp of approval

The Brooklyn Nets plan to do a full-scale search for a new head coach, but Jacque Vaughn has already made a great case for himself.

The Brooklyn Nets have been very successful under Jacque Vaughn in his short run as the team’s interim head coach.

Overall, the Nets are 7-2 under Vaughn and 5-2 in the Disney bubble after Tuesday’s win over the Orlando Magic. Furthermore, Brooklyn has knocked off the three 2020 NBA Finals favorite — the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers — in the process.

Vaughn also earned those three high-profile wins without Spencer Dinwiddie, DeAndre Jordan, Taurean Prince and Wilson Chandler, never mind Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving (and he didn’t have Caris LeVert, Joe Harris and Jarrett Allen against the Bucks).

Vaughn has done a lot with a little.

However, the Shams Charania of The Athletic reported on Tuesday that the Nets intend to run a “full-scale process” in search of their next permanent head coach after the season. This news comes in spite of the fact both Caris LeVert and Garrett Temple have both praised Vaughn for more than his efforts on the floor.

And another member of Brooklyn’s bubble roster has backed Vaughn, too: Jamal Crawford.

Nets Daily‘s Anthony Puccio tweeted “Jacque’s stock continues to rise” following Tuesday’s win, and Crawford quoted the tweet, writing:

As it should. He’s been unbelievable!!

Maybe Sean Marks should make note of Crawford’s support when he does his search.

Report: Nets interested in Sixers assistant coach Ime Udoka for head job

The Brooklyn Nets have an interest in Philadelphia 76ers assistant Ime Udoka for their head job.

The Brooklyn Nets are in the middle of another playoff appearance inside the bubble in Orlando, but they are also in need of a new coach. The Nets parted ways with Kenny Atkinson way back in March and they have been led by interim coach Jacque Vaughn, but they have not yet committed to him.

Therefore they are beginning to gather some candidates the team has an interest in and Philadelphia 76ers assistant Ime Udoka is among the names, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and The Stadium.

Charania reports:

Several external candidates have emerged for the job, according to league sources: Los Angeles Lakers assistant Jason Kidd, Philadelphia 76ers assistant Ime Udoka, LA Clippers assistant Ty Lue and former Rockets and Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy.

Other candidates are expected to enter the pool as job statuses around the league change. For the Nets, continuing to build their culture based on relationships and pursuing sustainable success with championship standards have been prioritized, and will be at the forefront of this head coaching search as a potential fit is considered with everyone involved.

Udoka has had his name pop up in coaching searches before with the Chicago Bulls during the league hiatus, but they seem to be deciding to keep Jim Boylen. Now, Udoka is going to have his name in these Nets rumors as well. [lawrence-related id=36692,36682,36673]

Report: ‘Joe Tsai wants a full-scale head coaching process’

Jacque Vaughn has done a great job as the Brooklyn Nets’ head coach, but he hasn’t earned the permanent job yet.

Jacque Vaughn’s run as interim head coach of the Brooklyn Nets has been impressive, to say the least.

In his second game as head coach, the Nets knocked off the Los Angeles Lakers — then the pandemic forced the league into a hiatus. So, entering the NBA restart, Vaughn was 2-0 as Nets head coach.

In the Disney bubble, Brooklyn has pulled off the biggest upset the NBA has seen since the 90s, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks. The Nets later beat the Los Angeles Clippers, as well, despite not having Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie, DeAndre Jordan, Wilson Chandler and Taurean Prince.

Despite the job as Vaughn has done, he has not locked up the next permanent head coaching in Brooklyn. He’s “a significant candidate to retain the job,” according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, but Charania is also reporting Nets governor Joe Tsai wants there to be a “full-scale head coaching process”:

Nets GM Sean Marks will work closely with ownership and his front office on the task of finding the proper leader for the position with Brooklyn as a leading title threat for the 2020-21 season.

According to Charania, the search will start at the end of the Nets’ season.

In addition to Vaughn, four names have emerged as candidates — though, more are expected to pop up: Los Angeles Lakers assistant Jason Kidd, Philadelphia 76ers assistant Ime Udoka, LA Clippers assistant Ty Lue and former Rockets and Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy.

RELATED: Jacque Vaughn proving he should remain Nets head coach beyond bubble

Jacque Vaughn proving he should remain Nets head coach beyond bubble

The Brooklyn Nets have had a pair of very impressive wins and can now coast in their final two games before the 2020 NBA Playoffs.

It wasn’t hard to figure out why Sean Marks expressed Jacque Vaughn’s candidacy for the permanent head coach position wasn’t going to be based on wins and losses in the Disney bubble. The Brooklyn Nets general manager was sending Vaughn down to Florida without their two superstars (Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving), the team’s top scorer in 2019-20 (Spencer Dinwiddie) and several other important pieces (DeAndre Jordan, Wilson Chandler and Taurean Prince).

Results like the 149-115 loss to the Boston Celtics seemed closer to what was expected for the Nets.

Yet, with only two games to go, the Nets are 3-2 with wins over the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers, and they’ve secured the No. 7 seed in the East already — so whoever needs an extra bit of rest before the 2020 NBA Playoffs can get it without the worry of impacting the team’s standing.

But, if Marks wants to hold true to his word and not look at Brooklyn’s record, maybe he’ll focus on some of the comments his players are making about Vaughn.

“I think his demeanor, his poise has rubbed off on us. His competitive spirit. He’s a player’s coach, he used to hoop so he understands how to push guys’ buttons. It hasn’t been talked about enough how well a job he’s done under these circumstances,” Garrett Temple told reporters on a Zoom call after Sunday’s win, per Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News. “We love playing for him. We really love it. And I’m happy that we’re able to get some wins, and we’re playing the way we’re playing under him.

JV has done a great job. You can’t say enough about what he’s been able to do, especially with the situation we’re in right now, missing seven of our players. The team that he’s been able to coach for the last month and a half, with a guy like Jamal Crawford still not able to play.”

Caris LeVert expressed a similar sentiment after Brooklyn’s latest win:

We knew he was a great leader, so it’s great to see it pay off in the wins and loss columns, but we’ve been seeing it behind the scenes.

Vaughn even received praise from Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post:

I think he’s done a terrific job. Listen, I coached Jacque in Orlando. He played with me for an entire year, so I’m a big fan of his. He was one of those players — similar to Ty Lue and Sam [Cassell] — that you knew when they retired that they would be coaches. So I hope he gets a good shot here.

The Nets are getting wins against quality teams, and Vaughn is doing all the little things to take care of his guys and get the most out of him. All that’s left is to get the stamp of approval from Durant and Irving.

Given what he’s doing, it’s hard to imagine Vaughn can’t win them over, too — assuming he hasn’t already.

Report: Pair of potential Nets head coach candidates could be in running for another job

Jacque Vaughn has done a good job campaigning for himself as the best fit to be the Brooklyn Nets’ permanent head coach.

Jacque Vaughn has carried his brief, strong start as interim head coach of the Brooklyn Nets — which started two games before the league’s hiatus — into the Disney bubble.

Despite the absence of Spencer Dinwiddie, DeAndre Jordan, Taurean Prince and Wilson Chandler (on top of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving), the Nets have won three of their first five Disney bubble games, upsetting the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 team in the process.

Although Nets general manager Sean Marks expressed before the NBA’s restart Vaughn would not be judged for the permanent head coaching position based on wins and losses in the Disney bubble, it’s hard to ignore what he’s done. Especially when it prompts remarks like this one from Caris LeVert, per Anthony Puccio of Nets Daily:

[Vaughn has] done an amazing job, everybody in the organization trusts him. … He’s been doing great with adjustments.

But, while ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Sunday that Vaugh has been “assured of getting significant consideration to keep the [Nets head coach] job,” he still doesn’t have the title yet.

Some of the other names that have been thrown in the ring are Ty Lue and former Nets player and head coach Jason Kidd. And it turns out those two are being considered for another position, as well.

Woj is reporting Alvin Gentry’s time in New Orleans could be up when his contract ends this year. If that’s the case, Lue and Kidd will be two names to watch, per Woj.

Garrett Temple: Jamal Crawford is ‘one of the best vets to ever play the game’

Whether it’s his new teammates or coach, the Brooklyn Nets are excited to have Jamal Crawford aboard for the rest of the 2019-20 NBA season.

It may take a little time for Jamal Crawford to find his rhythm with his new teammates, but it’s apparent they’re more than happy to work with the veteran.

While he gives the Brooklyn Nets a much-needed scoring option with Kevin Durant (right Achilles), Kyrie Irving (right shoulder) and Spencer Dinwiddie (team decided to hold him out after his second positive COVID-19 test) all unavailable for the leagues’ restart, his NBA experience will also help this very young group.

This will help Garrett Temple — one of two players on the Nets who’s logged five or more full NBA seasons (aside from Crawford and Michael Beasley) — as well. Now he and Joe Harris aren’t the only players on the roster who’ve been around for more than three full seasons.

And while Temple has the respect of his younger teammates, the wing views Crawford in a similar manner, which he expressed on a Zoom call on Friday per Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News:

One of the best vets to ever play the game. Obviously, he’s gonna provide a scoring punch, provide a voice in the locker room that’s been around for a long time, understands how to win games. Just a great guy as well though. Keeps things light. Someone that we can bounce questions off of and things like that. Just a great guy to have around but also obviously a guy who can really provide that scoring punch for us when we need to.

Jacque Vaughn: Tyler Johnson ‘is a competitor’

With multiple Nets unavailable for the Disney bubble, fans will get to see a new face dawn the Brooklyn uniform.

The Brooklyn Nets will be down five (possibly six) players when they head down to Disney World in late July for the resumption of the 2019-20 NBA season, but there will be a new face with the team when games get going.

After waiving Theo Pinson — which happened before Wilson Chandler and DeAndre Jordan both elected to opt-out of playing, for differing reasons — the Nets signed combo guard Tyler Johnson.

Although he scuffled in his 31 games with the Phoenix Suns before he was released earlier in the season, Johnson has been a strong outside threat throughout his NBA career, and Nets interim head coach Jacque Vaughn can’t wait to watch him go to work:

He is a competitor, [he] enjoys that. Wants to contribute to the group and it’ll be interesting. He’s been off the floor for a while, so the challenge of getting him back on an NBA court and accustomed to playing, look forward to that with him for sure.

Now, Johnson can handle point guard responsibilities and may need to, depending on Spencer Dinwiddie’s status. Vaughn doesn’t know yet if that will be the case. But, at this point, he isn’t sure what everyone else’s roles will look like since players are still only allowed to work one-on-one right now:

The build-up to this has not been typical. We’re still in one-on-one phases and you really have to see what guys are going to look like once we get into the bubble, what shape we’re totally in, and the ability to play five-on-five. Those aspects have been missing, so we’ll really have to take a scope of the team and be really strategic about minutes, rotations — it will not look like previous basketball that you’ve seen, for sure.

RELATED: Nets’ evaluation of Jacque Vaughn won’t be centered on wins and losses

Nets’ evaluation of Jacque Vaughn won’t be centered on wins and losses

Of all the NBA players and coaches going to the Disney bubble, Jacque Vaughn may have the toughest set of tasks ahead of him.

The Disney bubble is going to be a challenge for everyone involved. Off-the-court life will be odd, and things won’t get much easier on the court.

Of all the people set to head down to Florida for the resumption of the 2019-20 NBA season at the end of July, Brooklyn Nets interim head coach Jacque Vaughn may have more on his plate than anyone.

Not only is he vying for the full-time head coaching job in Brooklyn without Kevin Durant (right Achilles) and Kyrie Irving (right shoulder) — both of which won’t be traveling with the team — Vaughn also won’t have Nic Claxton (left shoulder), Wilson Chandler (elected to opt-out), DeAndre Jordan (elected to opt-out after testing positive for COVID-19). And Spencer Dinwiddie’s status is up in the air still, too.

Regardless of the situation, Vaughn is in tryout mode.

But Nets general manager Sean Marks made clear on a conference call with reporters on Wednesday that knows a lot is being asked of Vaughn right now. So he’s going consider that when evaluating what the interim head coach does in Florida, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post:

It’s completely unfair to say this is about wins and losses at this point.

Report: Jacque Vaughn will get real chance to earn Nets’ head job

Whatever the Brooklyn Nets do in Orlando may have an impact on the next steps in Jacque Vaughn’s career.

From the first moment the Brooklyn Nets announced Kenny Atkinson was no longer the head coach of the team, the franchise — and any report addressing the matter — has indicated the move was a mutual parting of ways. Of course, on the surface, that seems odd on Atkinson’s end given he was in position to see the team he helped dig out of the basement contend for a title in 2020-21 with Kevin Durant expected to return.

Although, there are some details that provide credence to the idea that Atkinson might’ve wanted out — an ideal example being the “big blow-up team meeting” the Wednesday before he and the Nets’ relationship ended, which The Athletic’s Shams Charania brought up during his appearance on Complex Sports’ Load Management podcast.

In that same breath, Charania mentioned Atkinson was “fired.” That’s the first time the breakup has ever been labeled that way.

Whether it was a mutual parting of ways or a firing, the move led to Jacque Vaughn’s promotion in the interim. With so many names already being linked to the head job, it seems Vaughn’s efforts in Disney won’t have an impact on his candidacy.

But Charania doesn’t necessarily think that’s the case:

I really do think the Nets will give Jacque Vaughn a legitimate opportunity to win the job. This is a guy that comes from the Spurs background, has the same pedigree as Sean Marks, has — as far as I know he does a good job at working with players, building that relationship. As crazy as it is for you guys to maybe hear, I do think Jacque Vaughn is gonna get a legitimate opportunity to win this job, and obviously we’re going to be able to see that starting July 31st.

RELATED: Will Nets’ play in Disney impact Jacque Vaughn’s head coaching candidacy?