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“I’m nervous. I’m a rookie,” Kidd said. “In Brooklyn we have a special opportunity to achieve that status to be a championship-type caliber team, so I’m looking forward to being a part of that [by] being unselfish, communicating and being tough. “It’s just a matter of working hard. I’m a guy that took notes. I’m going to tell Deron [Williams], tell any player to grab a book and keep a diary, because you never know where the game of basketball will take you,” Kidd said. “I started that process right before we won a championship in Dallas. I’m excited for this opportunity.” New York Post

Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Jason Kidd, Billy King 

Anne Kidd told The Post yesterday at Kidd’s introductory press conference in Brooklyn she was shocked when the future Hall of Famer informed her of his retirement. Kidd retired 11 days ago with two years left on his Knicks contract and was officially introduced as the Brooklyn Nets head coach yesterday. “I was totally shocked,’’ Anne Kidd said. “He told me he’s retiring and I was like ‘Don’t retire.’ I thought he had a little bit more in him to play.’’ New York Post

Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Jason Kidd, Billy King, Anne Kidd 

Sometimes “Mother knows best,’’ and Jason Kidd’s mom wanted her son to stick it out and play at least one more season for the Knicks. Anne Kidd told The Post yesterday at Kidd’s introductory press conference in Brooklyn she was shocked when the future Hall of Famer informed her of his retirement. Kidd retired 11 days ago with two years left on his Knicks contract and was officially introduced as the Brooklyn Nets head coach yesterday. “I was totally shocked,’’ Anne Kidd said. “He told me he’s retiring and I was like ‘Don’t retire.’ I thought he had a little bit more in him to play.’’ New York Post

Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Jason Kidd 

The Nets head coaching search eventually filtered down to two candidates, Jason Kidd and Indiana Pacers assistant Brian Shaw, said general manager Billy King. In actuality at the end, there was only one, Kidd, even while Shaw went through a lengthy interview on Wednesday. “I’m disappointed because I did not speak to Billy directly but I did give him permission to talk to him and wrote him a note letting him know what I thought [about Shaw],” said Pacers president of basketball operations Donnie Walsh Thursday. “He’s going to be a great head coach. Great head coach.” New York Post

Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Jason Kidd, Brian Shaw, Donnie Walsh 

Mike Mazzeo: Kidd: "One of my candidates for assistant coach is Lawrence Frank. The invitation is out there." #Nets Twitter @MazzESPN

Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Jason Kidd, Lawrence Frank 

But Ainge has adamantly turned down all official outreach. He has now said no to two teams - the Nets and Clippers. A third team, Memphis, is also said to be interested in talking to Rivers, though that organization has not contacted Celtics management. ... Rivers, who was in San Antonio earlier this week for meetings of the NBA’s competition committee, was unable to attend yesterday’s pre-draft workouts in Waltham due to flight delays, though he reportedly put in every effort to be there. Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Brooklyn Nets, Doc Rivers, Danny Ainge, Coaching 

Stefan Bondy: Kidd decided he wanted to coach over weekend, was interviewed on Monday and hired on Wednesday. Seems impulsive for a $500 billion franchise Twitter @NYDNInterNets

Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Jason Kidd 

Deron Williams: With Coach Kidd at the press conference today at Barclay Center! #brooklyn #bknets #hellobrooklyn… instagram.com/p/ahIkDaIjqb/ Twitter @DeronWilliams

Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Jason Kidd 

Rod Boone: LeBron:"JKidd is unbelievable, one of the best teammates I’ve ever played with ... one of the best friends I’ve ever had on & off the floor" Twitter @rodboone

Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, LeBron James, Coaching, Jason Kidd 

Rod Boone: More LeBron on Kidd: "He’s not inheriting a bad team. He's inheriting a good team, so that makes the job easier too." #Nets Twitter @rodboone

Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, LeBron James, Coaching, Jason Kidd 

Tim Bontemps: Dwyane Wade was also very enthusiastic about the decision to hire Kidd, though he did say that "New Jersey" decided to make the hire. Twitter @TimBontemps

Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, Dwyane Wade, Coaching, Jason Kidd 

Steve Popper: Interesting disclosure from Jason Kidd - @Mark Cuban offered him a chance to come to Dallas and learn business side, but he opted for coaching. Twitter @StevePopper

Dallas Mavericks, Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Jason Kidd, Mark Cuban 

Mike Mazzeo: This has been out there already, but league source confirmed that C.J. Watson will opt out and become a UFA, but could possibly return #Nets Twitter @MazzESPN

Brooklyn Nets, Free Agency, CJ Watson 

Jason Kidd nearly had to pinch himself a few times, all so he could make sure this weeklong whirlwind was actually real. No doubt, the whole thing of retiring last week after 19 seasons and being named the Nets’ head coach Wednesday night is a little surreal. “It is,” Kidd said Thursday on the YES Network following his introductory press conference at the Barclays Center. “It’s kind of happened so fast. It’s kind of like a dream come true, but is it really true. Today kind of helps put things in perspective that it is true." Newsday

Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Jason Kidd 

Deron Williams couldn’t stop smiling when talking about Kidd. When he first learned of the news, he became giddy. “I was excited,” Williams said. “I think it’s a great move for us. We get one of the greatest basketball minds of all time, one of the greatest point guards of all time. So for me personally, it’s as great a coach as I can [have] to lean from and grow as a leader, as a player, as a point guard as well as our team. Just talking with him for a couple of minutes about his vision and where he wants to take this thing got me really excited.” Newsday

Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Jason Kidd, Deron Williams 

The nasty feud between Mark Cuban and Jason Kidd is officially OVER ... at least for now ... 'cause Mark tells TMZ the two have made up -- and have even started emailing each other again. TMZ.com

Dallas Mavericks, Brooklyn Nets, Jason Kidd, Mark Cuban 

When we asked Mark how he felt about Jason landing the Brooklyn Nets head coaching job this week, M.C. told us: "I'm excited for him. He has great knowledge on the game so I'm sure he will do well. And yes we have started emailing again so all is well with the world.” TMZ.com

Dallas Mavericks, Brooklyn Nets, Jason Kidd, Mark Cuban 

Andy Katz: Jamal Franklin still out with a left ankle injury. Can only shoot. Likely won't risk working out. Visit list: Bos, NY, BK, Utah, Clev, Atl. Twitter

Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Utah Jazz, Draft, Injuries, Jamaal Franklin, Workouts 

Steve Popper: Jason Kidd may wind up in management or ownership - but don't worry about him playing again: "I will not be wearing a jersey under my suit" Twitter @StevePopper

Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Jason Kidd 

Rod Boone: Billy admitted that when Kidd's name was first brought up as a coach, Mikhail Prokhorov and others "were hesitant." Then, they liked idea. Twitter @rodboone

Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Jason Kidd, Mikhail Prokhorov, Billy King, Owners