Jason Kidd saluted Mike Woodson on Monday hours after he lost his job as Knicks head coach. Kidd finished out his playing career under Woodson last season.
“That’s part of the job, and it’s unfortunate,” the Nets rookie coach said as he prepared for Game 2 versus the Raptors. “He’s a great coach, and a great person, and I wish him the best of luck.”
Nets guard Joe Johnson, who played for Woodson in Atlanta, added Woodson thrives with isolation players such as himself.
“I’m sure he’ll get another job somewhere. I wish him the best,’’ Johnson said. “He was a great guy for me, who really brought out the best in me. I had some great years under Coach Woodson, and he was a guy who really put the ball in my hands and told me to make plays, so he means a lot to me.”
Steve Novak, who played for Woodson last season before being traded by the Knicks to Toronto, said Phil Jackson had to make a move to justify his existence.
“I don’t think they’d hire Phil and bring him in unless there were going to be major changes,’’ Novak said. “I think his salary indicates he’s going to be in charge of making things very different than they were.
“I don’t think anybody’s shocked but I think Coach Woodson did a good job there. We won 54 games last year and made it to the second round of the playoffs and then this year, had a down year but when you trade me away, what do you expect?’’
Novak said he “just joking.’’ But he added in a serious tone, “To be honest as a coach he was someone who was very in touch with the guys, knew what it took to motivate them. I feel he got the best out of a lot of people.’’
J.R. Smith told ESPN the firing was “sad’’ saying, “I think I got a fair shake for the first time in awhile under him. He treated me how he wanted to be treated. It sucks, but there’s nothing I can do about it.’’
Additional reporting by Fred Kerber and Tim Bontemps