Jason Kidd & the Bucks

[mu-rara]

My biggest problem with this scenario is:

What happens when you fire Hammonds and try to hire Jason Kidd's new boss.  Quality GM candidates will be unwilling to get into this situation.

What you say?  Jason Kidd will be GM and Coach = 30 more years of the same crap.

[Tugg Speedman]

Keith Olberman Torches the Bucks and Kidd for a bad deal by Lasry and Eden

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65MgxHduO9g

[Mobot]

As a Bucks fan I am not a huge fan of the way this went down.  I would think there must have been some tampering, no way the Bucks owners got involved after Kidd made the demands to Nets management.  The Nets were a sinking ship... Kidd was smart to get out while he could.  

Although the hiring process was slimy, this was a smart move by the Bucks owners.  They aren't going to win over the next year or two no matter who the coach is; but they will generate a lot more local and national interest with Jason Kidd as opposed to Larry Drew.  And that is exactly what they need as they try to gather support for a new arena.

[Mobot]

As a Bucks fan I am not a huge fan of the way this went down.  I would think there must have been some tampering, no way the Bucks owners got involved after Kidd made the demands to Nets management.  The Nets were a sinking ship... Kidd was smart to get out while he could.  

Although the hiring process was slimy, this was a smart move by the Bucks owners.  They aren't going to win over the next year or two no matter who the coach is; but they will generate a lot more local and national interest with Jason Kidd as opposed to Larry Drew.  And that is exactly what they need as they try to gather support for a new arena.

That being said, with as slimy as this was... I wouldn't be surprised to see the Bucks in Seattle in 4 years.

[Tugg Speedman]

question, but first, you can't deny the new york connection.  now the question...do these guys(the owners) think jason kidd is the next doc rivers and don't want to miss out?  remember, these are hedge fund guys.  they are trying to get ahead of the curve.  hopefully not off a cliff.  but, i don't think i'm the only guy whose eyebrows were raised when not only was he(doc) hired as a coach, but then a gm/coach.  i was thinking, what was i missing here?  how many ex-nba guys went on to coach and have the success doc has enjoyed?  another note-i just looked it up-there are many and could be a topic all by itself.  granted, he(doc) connects with "today"s" players; he speaks their lingo.  but i never saw that coming.  but jason kidd?  his reputation precedes him.  word is that he was an arrogant pr!k as a player and is still an arrogant pr!k today.  so what up?

The history of Wall Street guys owning sports franchise is nothing short of a disaster.  The exception is when the owner severs all ties to Wall Street and becomes a full-time owner, see John Henry of the Red Soxs and Tom Ricketts of the Cubs (be patient with Ricketts, he's on the right track).

Otherwise when a Wall Streeter buys the team to feed an outsized ego, see Lasry and Eden, it is typically a disaster on the field.

My fear is Lasry and Eden will make Kohl look competent.

[Spotcheck Billy]

I guess the new Bucks owners have shown they are even bigger meddlers than the Senator was. That was quick.

[GGGG]

I guess the new Bucks owners have shown they are even bigger meddlers than the Senator was. That was quick.

Until they start getting involved in player decisions, it is way too early to say this. 

[ChicosBailBonds]

Howard Beck has a pretty good article on this.  Bucks and Kidd come off pretty terrible, as they should.

Before someone rips Bleacher Report, Beck has covered the league almost 20 years with the NY Times and was the Lakers beat writer out here for the LA Daily News for a number of years.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2115060-jason-kidd-demonstrates-new-level-of-treachery-in-bolting-nets-for-bucks

[ChicosBailBonds]

Kidd Poised To Become Bucks Coach After Team Reaches Compensation Deal With Nets

Published June 30, 2014

Kidd reportedly sought control of the Nets' basketball operations, but was turned down
The Bucks will send a pair of second-round draft picks to the Nets "to secure the coaching rights to Jason Kidd," according to sources cited by Broussard & Stein of ESPN.com. The Bucks "had been offering one second-round pick," but the Nets were eyeing a '15 first-round pick (ESPN.com, 6/30). YAHOO SPORTS' Adrian Wojnarowski reports picks in the '15 and '19 draft will go to the Nets "to allow Kidd out of the final two years of his contract and become the Bucks' coach." Sources said that new Bucks co-Owners Marc Lasry and Wesley Edens "had communicated nothing" to current coach Larry Drew, who will be fired, while negotiating with Kidd in recent days (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/30). In Milwaukee, Charles Gardner cited a source as saying that Lasry and Edens had "requested permission from the Nets to meet with Kidd and had a two-hour interview with him Friday" in N.Y. Kidd has "been offered the Bucks coaching position only, not a basketball front-office job." This comes after Kidd reportedly asked for "additional power and control over basketball operations with the Nets and was rebuffed by team ownership." The Bucks' talks with Kidd were done "without the knowledge" of GM John Hammond, who "has two years left on his contract and has directed the Bucks basketball operations" since April '08. Edens and Lasry "have not committed to the long-term futures" publicly of either Hammond or coach Larry Drew since gaining ownership, although they "have spoken highly of them." But the source said that the Bucks owners "wanted to make a bigger splash with their coaching position and thought a change could make a difference" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 6/30). ESPN.com's Andy Katz also cited a source as saying that the negotiations were "supposed to be between the owners, not involving any basketball personnel, before the story was leaked out." The negotiations now are being handled by Hammond and Nets GM Billy King. The source also indicated that Hammond, Bucks Assistant GM David Morway and VP/Player Personnel Dave Babcock are "all safe and that their jobs are not in jeopardy if Kidd is hired as coach" (ESPN.com, 6/29).

BROOKLYN BLAST: In N.Y., Tim Bontemps cites sources as saying that Kidd went to Nets ownership recently with "a series of demands, including to be given control of basketball operations and placed above" King within the organizational hierarchy. Ownership "turned down those demands, saying Kidd wasn’t ready for such a responsibility." That is when the Bucks and Lasry, who is Kidd’s "friend," came into the picture, "requesting and being granted permission to speak with him" (N.Y. POST, 6/30). In N.Y., Stefan Bondy reports Kidd, who signed a four-year, $10.5M deal with the Nets last summer, was "peeved that first-time coaches Steve Kerr and Derek Fisher netted contracts nearly double his own." Bondy also cites ESPN reports as saying that Kidd "had a 'strained' relationship with King" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/30). On Long Island, Roderick Boone reports the Kidd situation is "creating serious uncertainty about whether the Nets are going to be able to retain any of their own key unrestricted free agents." The Nets "want to bring back" F Paul Pierce, G Shaun Livingston and F Alan Anderson, but with Kidd "apparently headed for the door, it might give the players reason to search for better situations elsewhere" (NEWSDAY, 6/30).

NOT OUT OF CHARACTER: In N.Y., Cacciola & Keh write Kidd's attempt to "leapfrog King on the organizational ladder was a brazen move, albeit one that was not necessarily out of character." Kidd during his playing career "had a reputation for sparring with coaches and pursuing his own agenda, going so far as to publicly demand trades." When the Nets hired Kidd as their coach before the start of last season, he "lobbied for Lawrence Frank to be hired as his top assistant at no small cost to the organization." But when their relationship soured, Kidd "forced Frank off the bench, demoting him to the job of compiling daily scouting reports." It was "an early indication that Kidd wanted sole control over the team" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/30). ESPN N.Y.'s Ian O'Connor wrote Kidd has "always believed in the divide-and-conquer approach" off the floor. By "trying and failing to supplant" King, the rookie head coach "left his team in Brooklyn exactly as he first found it in New Jersey: Same Old Nets" (ESPNNY.com, 6/29). In N.Y., Mike Vaccaro wrote Kidd's off-court conniving is "every bit as much a part of who he is, who he always has been, as his on-court brilliance" (N.Y. POST, 6/29). ESPN.com's Jackie MacMullen said of Kidd, "He's on some kind of ego trip. If I'm the Nets, I'm going to say 'don't let the door hit you on the way out'" ("Sports Reporters," ESPN, 6/29).

BIG BUCK HUNTING: USA TODAY's Jeff Zillgitt writes the "honeymoon might not be over" for Lasry and Edens, but they "ruined dinner one night and the vacation is almost over." They are "not the first owners to take over a team and make a few missteps along the way." But it is "interesting that these two savvy and smart people think that because they were able to protect secrets in one line of work think they can do so in the NBA" (USA TODAY, 6/30). NBA.com's Steve Aschburner wrote under the header, "Bucks Risk Vibe, Goodwill Reset With Kidd." It is "bad enough that Kidd ... would attempt a power play within that organization to grab more authority" from the man who hired him. Worse though is that Lasry "would entertain installing Kidd as the Bucks’ president of basketball operations." The Bucks are "full-up, their front office and coaching jobs staffed by highly competent individuals." Hammond is "fresh off his most rewarding Draft night ever" (NBA.com, 6/29). ESPN Radio's Mike Greenberg said of Kidd, "He's friends with the owners in Milwaukee, he's on his way there. Oh, by the way, they have a coach and a general manager. It's a mess." ESPN Radio's Mike Golic: "It's embarrassing for the new ownership with the Milwaukee Bucks the way they're going about it" ("Mike & Mike," ESPN Radio, 6/30).

[martyconlonontherun]

That being said, with as slimy as this was... I wouldn't be surprised to see the Bucks in Seattle in 4 years.

You should.

The owners would stand to lose a lot of money if they don't get a stadium built. The team would go back to the league for $575M. They didn't buy the team to turn around and sell it for only $25M when the Clippers went for billions.

They have $200M committed by them and Kohl, and $75M is the going rate for naming rights. If a stadium costs $430M, they are only $150M away from getting a deal done. There are plenty of ways coming up with the final 3rd whether it is through private development or taxing.

[WI inferiority Complexes]

What happened to all the bucks fans? Thought there'd be more response to this.

The Bucks "happened."

[ChicosBailBonds]

Bucks Co-Owners Lasry, Edens Apologize For Handling Of Jason Kidd Coaching Situation

Published July 3, 2014


Bucks co-Owners Marc Lasry and Wesley Edens on Wednesday admitted that they "bungled the hiring process with new coach Jason Kidd," after word "leaked out of their talks with Kidd, while Larry Drew was still the coach," according to Charles Gardner of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL. Edens said, "We were naïve about how this business is put out to the press. We are used to operating in businesses where discretion is necessary and part of the fabric of it. The degree to which the media plays an integral role in basketball was a shock to me." Lasry and Edens said that they "plan to have clear channels of communications in the future and will be involved along with Kidd" and GM John Hammond. Lasry and Edens "met with Kidd" last Thursday, the night of the NBA Draft, but Drew was not fired until Monday. Lasry said, "I apologized to Larry for the process and how everything went about. I said, 'I'm very sorry. You've been a gentleman about the whole thing. I'm sorry about how this all happened.'" Still, Edens and Lasry said that they did "not see a communication problem in the organization as it enters the summer." Lasry said of Hammond, "John's our GM." Edens added, "We intend to run a consultative process. It's a team sport. You have the GM that runs that, but of course you expect him to consult with your coach and of course you expect him to consult with the owners" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 7/3). Lasry said that it was "wrong to not bring Hammond into the loop earlier in the process." Lasry: "We were asked to keep it confidential. In retrospect, that was a mistake" (AP, 7/2). The N.Y. Daily News' Pat Leonard said "more shocking" to him than the Bucks hiring Kidd was how ownership "handled it so badly." Leonard: "Just the way they completely mishandled this, everybody did something wrong here" ("Daily News Live," SNY, 7/2). Lasry discusses the timeline and process that led to Kidd's hiring.

NEW KIDD IN TOWN: The JOURNAL SENTINEL's Gardner notes Kidd on Wednesday was introduced at a news conference and agreed to a three-year, $15M contract that "puts his annual salary in line" with recent deals given to the Warriors' Steve Kerr and the Knicks' Derek Fisher, both first-year head coaches. Edens said that Kidd "has the name recognition to boost the franchise." Edens: "In the long run to be successful in Milwaukee, we need to have the ability to recruit players into an organization they really want to be with." Asked about the abrupt move to Milwaukee, Kidd said, "This is business. I think [Nets GM Billy King] said it best. It's business and that's what it comes down to" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 7/3). In Milwaukee, Michael Hunt writes the Bucks "haven't had this much creative tension since they hired George Karl, another big-name ambitious schemer who brought attention and success to the franchise by taking it to within a game" of the '01 NBA Finals. It "ended badly for Karl, and there's no reason to believe it won't end badly for Kidd one day." But the Bucks are in "need of spark and sizzle right now, even if no one can predict whether it will work out with Kidd because the jury is still out on whether the guy can coach" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 7/3).

BUSINESS AS USUAL? In Milwaukee, Bob Wolfley wrote the introduction was not "transparent ... forthcoming ... joyful or celebratory or convivial." There were questions "that were heard and not answered," while other questions were "not asked because the 24-second clock expired." Wolfley: "From Brooklyn to Brookfield the Bucks’ owners were banged around for unprofessional conduct and Kidd was called a lot worse. Surely there would be transparency. You thought there would have been a more energetic response from the principals than 'Meh, comes with the territory'" (JSONLINE.com, 7/2). NBA.com's Steve Aschburner wrote the press conference was "by the numbers -- strictly 'business,' a word Kidd used a few times in a 'Godfather'-like way -- and something to move on from as quickly as possible." Aschburner: "Questions were limited (one reporter counted a total of 15), follow-ups were discouraged and then it was over. No customary huddles immediately afterward for 1-on-1 interviews, TV stand-ups or idle chatter. This had the feel of a business meeting -- once the CEOs were finished, the employees were expected to disperse and return to their cubicles" (NBA.com, 7/2).

NOT WORTH THE TROUBLE? SPORTS ON EARTH's Shaun Powell writes Edens, Lasry and Kidd have "proved themselves to be total frauds." They "mangled Kidd's sloppy and choreographed exit from Brooklyn last weekend and then they mangled the chance to come clean and answer the one question that begged to be asked: Why?" In a "rushed-along press conference that lacked warmth or even a degree of happiness ... Kidd and the owners looked embarrassed yet never admitted it." Powell: "Maybe Mark Lasry, Wes Edens and Kidd deserve each other. So at least there's that." In the "face of a tremendous storm of criticism around the league, and fan polls in Milwaukee that reject the idea of Kidd turning around an awful franchise, the clumsy Bucks are throwing their future to him, anyway" (SPORTSONEARTH.com, 7/3).

[Hards Alumni]

Bucks Co-Owners Lasry, Edens Apologize For Handling Of Jason Kidd Coaching Situation

Published July 3, 2014


Bucks co-Owners Marc Lasry and Wesley Edens on Wednesday admitted that they "bungled the hiring process with new coach Jason Kidd," after word "leaked out of their talks with Kidd, while Larry Drew was still the coach," according to Charles Gardner of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL. Edens said, "We were naïve about how this business is put out to the press. We are used to operating in businesses where discretion is necessary and part of the fabric of it. The degree to which the media plays an integral role in basketball was a shock to me." Lasry and Edens said that they "plan to have clear channels of communications in the future and will be involved along with Kidd" and GM John Hammond. Lasry and Edens "met with Kidd" last Thursday, the night of the NBA Draft, but Drew was not fired until Monday. Lasry said, "I apologized to Larry for the process and how everything went about. I said, 'I'm very sorry. You've been a gentleman about the whole thing. I'm sorry about how this all happened.'" Still, Edens and Lasry said that they did "not see a communication problem in the organization as it enters the summer." Lasry said of Hammond, "John's our GM." Edens added, "We intend to run a consultative process. It's a team sport. You have the GM that runs that, but of course you expect him to consult with your coach and of course you expect him to consult with the owners" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 7/3). Lasry said that it was "wrong to not bring Hammond into the loop earlier in the process." Lasry: "We were asked to keep it confidential. In retrospect, that was a mistake" (AP, 7/2). The N.Y. Daily News' Pat Leonard said "more shocking" to him than the Bucks hiring Kidd was how ownership "handled it so badly." Leonard: "Just the way they completely mishandled this, everybody did something wrong here" ("Daily News Live," SNY, 7/2). Lasry discusses the timeline and process that led to Kidd's hiring.

NEW KIDD IN TOWN: The JOURNAL SENTINEL's Gardner notes Kidd on Wednesday was introduced at a news conference and agreed to a three-year, $15M contract that "puts his annual salary in line" with recent deals given to the Warriors' Steve Kerr and the Knicks' Derek Fisher, both first-year head coaches. Edens said that Kidd "has the name recognition to boost the franchise." Edens: "In the long run to be successful in Milwaukee, we need to have the ability to recruit players into an organization they really want to be with." Asked about the abrupt move to Milwaukee, Kidd said, "This is business. I think [Nets GM Billy King] said it best. It's business and that's what it comes down to" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 7/3). In Milwaukee, Michael Hunt writes the Bucks "haven't had this much creative tension since they hired George Karl, another big-name ambitious schemer who brought attention and success to the franchise by taking it to within a game" of the '01 NBA Finals. It "ended badly for Karl, and there's no reason to believe it won't end badly for Kidd one day." But the Bucks are in "need of spark and sizzle right now, even if no one can predict whether it will work out with Kidd because the jury is still out on whether the guy can coach" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 7/3).

BUSINESS AS USUAL? In Milwaukee, Bob Wolfley wrote the introduction was not "transparent ... forthcoming ... joyful or celebratory or convivial." There were questions "that were heard and not answered," while other questions were "not asked because the 24-second clock expired." Wolfley: "From Brooklyn to Brookfield the Bucks’ owners were banged around for unprofessional conduct and Kidd was called a lot worse. Surely there would be transparency. You thought there would have been a more energetic response from the principals than 'Meh, comes with the territory'" (JSONLINE.com, 7/2). NBA.com's Steve Aschburner wrote the press conference was "by the numbers -- strictly 'business,' a word Kidd used a few times in a 'Godfather'-like way -- and something to move on from as quickly as possible." Aschburner: "Questions were limited (one reporter counted a total of 15), follow-ups were discouraged and then it was over. No customary huddles immediately afterward for 1-on-1 interviews, TV stand-ups or idle chatter. This had the feel of a business meeting -- once the CEOs were finished, the employees were expected to disperse and return to their cubicles" (NBA.com, 7/2).

NOT WORTH THE TROUBLE? SPORTS ON EARTH's Shaun Powell writes Edens, Lasry and Kidd have "proved themselves to be total frauds." They "mangled Kidd's sloppy and choreographed exit from Brooklyn last weekend and then they mangled the chance to come clean and answer the one question that begged to be asked: Why?" In a "rushed-along press conference that lacked warmth or even a degree of happiness ... Kidd and the owners looked embarrassed yet never admitted it." Powell: "Maybe Mark Lasry, Wes Edens and Kidd deserve each other. So at least there's that." In the "face of a tremendous storm of criticism around the league, and fan polls in Milwaukee that reject the idea of Kidd turning around an awful franchise, the clumsy Bucks are throwing their future to him, anyway" (SPORTSONEARTH.com, 7/3).

Some things never change.  How can these two successful businessmen have no idea how communications work in the NBA?  Shocking, and disappointing as a fan.

[reinko]

It's the NBA, what do folks expect?  They are going for it, again, they are the Bucks.  People won't care in a week.  And if Jason Kidd is the next great young NBA coach, people will look back at this as a coup for the team.  And if he flames, big deal, it's the Bucks.

And as for all of this poor Larry Drew talk, dude did the exact same thing, but to his own boss when he was in the ATL.

http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/mike-check-jason-kidd-does-larry-drew-drew-did-mik/ngXGQ/

[4everwarriors]

Slimy, aina?