Lionel Hollins’ job as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets already seems to be in jeopardy as the team slides in the standings.
The Nets have gone 2-10 over their past 12 games, including a stretch of seven straight losses, and they’re now ninth in the East with an 18-26 record. Their last two losses, which came by margins of 35 and 39 points, have Nets ownership taking a closer look at Hollins.
ESPN New York says Nets ownership is doing an in-season evaluation regarding the team and “monitoring the situation closely.”
They provided additional information about the situation:
Sources say locker room tensions between the outspoken coach and some of his players are rising as the Nets continue to falter, with sources telling ESPNNewYork.com’s Mike Mazzeo that Hollins’ public criticism of various players this season, such as Lopez and fellow big man Mason Plumlee, has rankled ownership.
The team just lost to the Clippers and Jazz by at least 35 points — of course there is going to be mounting tension! The problem is Hollins is in the first year of a 4-year, $20 million contract, so getting rid of him would be costly.
Plus, they have to look at all factors. It’s no coincidence that the team’s slide coincides with Deron Williams missing games with a rib injury. And all the trade rumors surrounding the team, not to mention the team being up for sale, probably does not help matters.
Remember how they wanted to fire Jason Kidd when the team was off to a slow start because of all the injuries? Yeah, look at how that turned out last year. They need to chill out, wait for Williams to return and see if it gets better. I’m sure it will.
