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The Brooklyn Nets are the definition of dysfunctional. They don’t own a first-round pick until 2019, their front office disagrees with coach Lionel Hollins and they’re 5-15 this season. It’s hard to blame the coach with the lack of talent on the roster, but this is the Nets we’re talking about; that’s what they do.
The Nets have had four coaches in the past four seasons, so don’t be surprised to see another change made shortly. The front office reportedly isn’t happy with Hollins and they’re looking to make a change as soon as possible. Nobody around the Nets is happy with Brooklyn’s slow start to the season, but owner Mikhail Prokhorov is as furious as anyone.
The front office had to tell Hollins to start rookie Rondae Hollis-Jefferson who impressed with his antagonizing defense and hustle early in the season. Hollis-Jefferson is now out indefinitely with a non-displaced fracture in his right ankle which only builds even more frustration within the organization.
It’s hard to put the blame on Hollins while coaching with an anemic roster, but that’s how it goes in sports. When the team struggles the blame is put on the coach, and Hollins could very likely take the fall for the struggling Nets. If Hollins is fired it is almost guaranteed that his right hand man Paul Westphal will get the boot along with him. If Brooklyn hired an interim coach it would likely be assistant coach Tony Brown unless they have a replacement in my mind.
Firing another coach likely won’t sit well with the fans who are sick and tired of seeing their team having to learn a completely different system over and over again. However, Hollins’ departure seems inevitable at this point, and he is indeed on the hot seat.
There are reports from a Russian news agency that say Hollins is gone as soon as Brooklyn finds a replacement, but those reports can’t be confirmed just yet. Hollins is in his second year of a four-year deal, but with all this turmoil unfolding, it appears he won’t be around for much longer.
