Jalen makes it clear: Lue the man for B’klyn
Nets interim coach Jacque Vaughn has a great chance at getting the permanent post, considered one of the best NBA gigs this offseason because of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.
But if the Nets go in another direction, many point to Tyronn Lue as the best possible candidate. And it’s partly because of his relationship with Irving, and how he’s already shown his ability to not just handle but to win with the Nets’ mercurial star.
“If I was able to hire who I wanted to hire for the Nets job next year, this is a layup: Tyronn Lue. I’d get Tyronn Lue based on the relationship [with Irving],” ESPN analyst Jalen Rose told The Post. “He’s proven. He’s an assistant with the Clippers, probably getting a championship this year; I wouldn’t even have to think twice about that.”
It’s Vaughn’s relationship with Nets GM Sean Marks — who brought him to Brooklyn, the third time they’ve worked together since 2011 in San Antonio — that has him seen as a favorite over names such as Lue and Mark Jackson.
But Vaughn was just 58-158 in Orlando, though he was 2-0 as interim going into Brooklyn’s restart. Lue’s résumé is far more extensive.
Lue was 128-83 with Cleveland, adding three NBA Finals and a 2016 title won with Irving and LeBron James. That pedigree is why some say he’s more a sure thing for a team entering its championship window.
“I [remember] Jacque in college. I played against Jacque,” Rose said. “I like Jacque, and this isn’t personal to Jacque. [But] if I have a blank canvas of who I’m giving the job to, I’m giving it to Tyronn Lue. I’m not playing around. I don’t have years to play around.
“KD’s coming off serious injury; Giannis [Antetokounmpo] is still in the East; Boston keeps getting better, [Jayson] Tatum keeps growing; Philadelphia’s a wild card, still have [Joel] Embiid; Toronto is the defending champion; Indiana’s got [Malcolm] Brogdon and [Victor] Oladipo. I don’t have time to mess around.”
Fellow ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins — who played with Irving in Cleveland and Durant in Oklahoma City — agreed in stumping for his former coach as the best option for Brooklyn, largely due to his history with Irving.
“Nets should be looking at Ty Lue!!! Kyrie had his best years playing under Head Coach TLue and they went to 3 straight finals together,” Perkins tweeted after the Nets parted ways with Kenny Atkinson. “He always put Kyrie in position to be successful and oh yeah he drew up a play for Kyrie that was 1 of the biggest shots in NBA History!”
And Rose cited that rapport with Irving as vital, an ability to navigate Irving’s bad days mentally.
Coaching stars is hard, as Atkinson learned. Considering Irving’s ugly exit from Boston — and questions about his coachability — Lue’s cachet could prove pivotal.
“I like Jacque. He had a couple of opportunities, and I’m not saying he doesn’t deserve another,” Rose said. “But if you’re going for someone who could immediately put them in position to contend in the East along with their talent, I’d give the job to Ty Lue.
“I need somebody on the sideline that can look Kyrie eye-to-eye when he isn’t having his best day emotionally and psychologically, because — guess what? — all of us are human beings and have those days. He immediately garners the respect of your two top players.”