Inside The Nets

Mikal Bridges and other players were vocal in the locker room against Jacque Vaughn's system

After Vaughn’s dismissal, emerging details show players going against his system.
Peter Sunjic|
© Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

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Brooklyn Nets

Coach Jacque Vaughn's dismissal might’ve surprised some, but it was a long time coming based on what the Nets players felt. Astute observers during Brooklyn’s games would’ve seen the team look dejected, which stems from the displeasure with JV.

Nets star Mikal Bridges and former guard Spencer Dinwiddie were reportedly the most vocal about the issues with Vaughn’s system. Now, the players have their way as Coach Vaughn got dismissed, and locker room favorite Kevin Ollie is now the interim head coach.

“They felt like a lot of what Vaughn was running was being run improperly, without structure,” NBA insider Shams Charania said about the Nets’ locker room. “Vaughn came into the year and said, ‘We’re gonna run a free-for-all offense.’ And the team, from what I gather, has been pretty bonded on the fact that developing a hierarchy was important.”

The glaring issues with Coach Vaughn

While Coach Vaughn was a positive locker-room presence, there were some glaring issues with his system. The biggest one had to be his treatment of Cameron Thomas, who had a productive yet rocky time under JV.

Thomas has been balling out for the Nets this season, averaging 21.2 points per game. However, he could’ve had an even better season if Coach Vaughn supported him as a starter. JV never locked in his support of Thomas as a full-time starter, starting the season with him as a backup and then benching him in January for Dorian Finney-Smith.

Criticism must be levied against Vaughn’s rotations and lack of in-game adjustments because he struggled to get the most out of the talented Nets roster. The players’ concerns were valid, especially with his reliance on Ben Simmons as the cornerstone of his system.

Ben is a fantastic player, and everyone in the Nets locker room loves him, but having no backup plan for an injury-prone player like Simmons derailed Brooklyn’s season since Vaughn put all his eggs in the Ben basket.

The players get what they want

Mikal and his teammates get their way by getting Vaughn out and Ollie in as the head coach. The former NBA veteran and UConn Huskies coach is beloved in the Nets locker room, which can lead to a great direction for the Nets’ second half of the season.

With Ollie coaching the team, expect the players to be in good spirits because the roster loves him. He will maximize the talent on the roster, including Bridges, Thomas, Nic Claxton, and more.

Nets promoting Kevin Ollie as interim head coach upon Jacque Vaughn's HC firing

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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