There have been conflicting reports regarding the job security of Nets head coach Lionel Hollins, whose squad is off to a 5-15 start to the 2015/16 campaign. This is not the first time the coach has been rumored to be on the hot seat in Brooklyn, with conflicting reports also surfacing back in January about Hollins’ job security, mere months after he took over the team, though GM Billy King at the time said Hollins was safe and that he liked his demanding approach. Brooklyn signed Hollins in the summer of 2014 to a four-year deal that reportedly could be worth as much as $20MM if the Nets pick up their team option on the final year.
Despite the team’s denials that Hollins may be on the chopping block, it would hardly be the first time that a coach was dismissed after receiving an endorsement indicating his job was secure. Hollins, who was let go by the Grizzlies back in 2013 after a 56-win campaign that resulted in a trip to the Western Conference Finals, said, “The seat is always hot. It was hot when I sat in it for the first time.” Brooklyn is no stranger to coaching turnover, having had four different head coaches since the start of the 2012/13 season.
This brings me to today’s topic: Should Lionel Hollins be held accountable for the state of the Nets?
There’s no denying that the Nets are a bad squad this season, and the coach is usually the first one to take the hit when his team doesn’t perform well. But Hollins isn’t responsible for the Nets’ personnel moves, including the ill-fated trade to sacrifice a plethora of draft picks to the Celtics in exchange for Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry, which was an epic failure on virtually every level for the franchise.
But what say you? Is Hollins’ coaching style and system the problem in Brooklyn, and would a change benefit the club at this juncture of the season? Or should the franchise look to lay blame elsewhere and retain the veteran coach? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions. We look forward to what you have to say.
Don’t forget about that horrible Gerald Wallace trade back in the 11-12 season. Just another poor, nearsighted trade that has helped set back that franchise for the next 10 yrs or so.
Quite frankly, I’m astonished that King hasn’t been fired yet. 16s pick is gone 17s will be swapped with Boston, 18s gone, and with no trade of either Lopez or Young on the trade front yet, HOW are they gonna get assets going forward?
But the Nets want to blame Hollins for their troubles SMH
worst GM ever…. I like Hollins & Im sure the real problem is that he’s calling King out for this mess… nothing to work with now & no future in brooooooooooooooooooklyn…
No, the Nets shouldn’t pin this on Hollins. Their roster just doesn’t have enough parts. I like the Lopez-Young big man tandem, but that’s about it. If anything, I’d think Hollins would want to leave Brooklyn. He seems much better suited to a competitive team of vets.