Report: Nets Players Often Side-Eyed Jacque Vaughn On Their Way Back To Bench

Nets players had grown frustrated at Vaughn’s unstructured offense.

“Yet Nets players had grown quite frustrated at Brooklyn’s unstructured offense, sources said, without (Ben) Simmons present to lead runaway opportunities in transition,” Fischer wrote. “As Brooklyn’s losses piled, the team’s stagnation in the half-court became quite apparent. There was little pop to the Nets taking turns trying to attack off the dribble. Rival pro personnel scouts remarked they saw several players side-eying Vaughn as they made their way back to Brooklyn huddles, sources said.”

The Nets fired Vaughn as head coach today. Vaughn compiled a record of 71-68 (.511) with Brooklyn. 

Under Vaughn, the Nets averaged 113.4 points, 21st in the NBA. Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks said in a statement that it was an “incredibly difficult decision” to fire Vaughn.

“This was an incredibly difficult decision, but one we feel is in the best interest of the team going forward,” Marks said in a statement. “Jacque has represented this organization with exemplary character and class for the past eight years. The consistent positivity and passion he poured into our team daily will remain with the players and staff he interacted with throughout his tenure. We thank Jacque for all he has done for the Nets and the borough of Brooklyn, and wish him, Laura and their family nothing but the best in the future.” 

According to NBA insider Ian Begley of SNY, some within the Nets had concerns that Vaughn could hinder their chances of landing a top player in free agency. 

Brooklyn has promoted assistant Kevin Ollie to interim head coach. The Nets are 21-33 on the season. They are in 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings.