The Brooklyn Nets reached a new low point in their downward fall since the beginning of the season in a 95-78 on Christmas Day loss to the Chicago Bulls, leading to first-year head coach Jason Kidd ripping into his team for yet another embarrassing performance.
According to ESPN, multiple sources said that Kidd had an outburst after the game, consistent with Monday night when he said his team was "comfortable with losing" after a 103-86 loss to the Indiana Pacers.
The report indicates that Kidd yelled at his team following Wednesday's loss and that Kevin Garnett rose up and vented his frustration before walking out the showers.
Multiple sources told ESPN that Garnett backs Kidd and that his frustration stemmed from his teammate's lack of fight after the Nets once again lost by 17 points for the second straight game and it was seen that his walkout showed Garnett to be one of the only Nets who cared about the recent swoon.
"I think again, it's easy, it's simple," Kidd said after Wednesday's loss, according to ESPN. "When we don't put the ball in the basket or we miss shots that are makeable, it translates to our defense of transition for us where we'll give up a layup and then that turns into another layup for the opposing team. ... That is the carryover of missing shots and not giving the effort. The bottom line is effort, and we're not doing that right now."
The Nets have been falling behind and haven't been able to get it together consistently, leading to a 9-19 record for a team that was supposed to be one of the five best teams in the league going into the season and had championship aspirations after signing Garnett and Paul Pierce to garner the NBA's highest payroll.
"At the end of the day, the coach can only hold you responsible for energy and effort," Kidd said per ESPN. "If you're not giving it, I have to take you out. If you're missing shots, that's just part of the game. But if you're not giving energy or effort, I've got to take you out."
The Nets have been ravaged by injuries this season, the latest coming to Brook Lopez, who broke his foot on Friday and should be out for the season, and Kidd even demoted team assistant Lawrence Frank after friction between the two and reports of "personal agendas."
"I'm even surprised with this season, how it's played out. It's like a nightmare," Deron Williams said after the latest blowout loss, according to ESPN. "The way the injuries have been and the things we talk about every day: the lack of energy, the lack of effort. I didn't see that being a problem when we put this team together."
Kidd said his teams' performances have been unacceptable.
"I think it is getting very close to just accepting losing," Kidd said on Monday per ESPN. "We are kind of getting comfortable with losing."
The Nets next chance for a turnaround is Friday when it takes on the Milwaukee Bucks in Brooklyn.
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