Tyson Chandler tried all season to convince Jason Kidd he shouldn’t retire but couldn’t sway the former Knicks point guard, The Post has learned.
Kidd retired 12 days ago and has crossed enemy lines to become the Brooklyn Nets head coach.
Speaking by phone from his offseason home in southern California, Chandler told The Post, “Actually I’m not surprised at all. Jason and I had a lot of conversations during the season about retirement and coaching. I tried to [convince him]. I did. I thought he had a couple of more years in him. I gave my input. I tried to tell him he could still do it, and you have a lot left in you.’’
Chandler and Kidd won a title together in Dallas in 2011 and the Knicks center hoped for a repeat in the Big Apple.
“We’ll always be brothers,’’ Chandler said. “We won a championship together. I just was hoping it would end better here.
“I am sad, I am. Part of the reason Jason came to New York was maybe we could win another one.’’
That won’t happen after the Knicks were bounced in the second round by the Pacers. Now they have point-guard issues.
“I think it’s a big hole we have to fill now,’’ Chandler said. “We’re going to miss some of that good experience back there. He brought so much experience and knowledge that we’re going to miss. I’m sure [general manager] Glen [Grunwald] is right now preparing and trying to figure out how to make up for it.’’
Kidd had a rough playoffs, going scoreless the final 10 games. Chandler is angry at the perception Kidd was a playoff flop.
“I didn’t consider it a slump,’’ Chandler said. “He’s a floor leader. He entered the game as a floor leader and leaves it as a floor leader.He didn’t make shots in the playoffs, but that’s not a slump for him. It’s everything else Jason brings.’’
He said Kidd’s performance in the playoffs was a non-factor in the point guard’s decision, but added, “Maybe it would’ve been different if the team result was better.’’
Chandler said the first Knicks-Nets game will be interesting.
“It’s definitely going to be awkward when we line up for the first time,’’ he said. “Part of me feels bad, but at the end of the day I’m excited for him.’’
The Nets made a great hire, Chandler believes.
“I know he’s got a lot of history with the Nets,Taking them to two Finals were probably the highlights of his career after winning the title,’’ Chandler said. “He’s still got a lot of relationships there. His relationship with Deron Williams is key. Jason will make that team better because he will get things out of Deron most coaches wouldn’t.’’