This is a transcript of the interview the Nets General Manager had with the YES Network's Sarah Kustok:
On the state of the team:
Billy King: Well, one is we're still together. Guys still believe in Jason (Kidd) as their leader. They believe in each other. It's been frustrating because, you know, we expect to be winning more games. But, injuries have taken a toll a little biton us because we've asked other guys to do a little bit. But that's not adhesive to reality, but guys are still fighting. We're adjusting on the fly and trying to adjust due to the injuries.
Start with Shaun Livingston the point guard. We've asked him to do a lot more, play a lot more minutes than he probably expected, to do a lot more scoring. The last game, you probably saw Joe's minutes increase, point production's gone up. So I think we're gonna look to ride Joe a little more until we get the other guys back, and we've asked Paul (Pierce) and Kevin (Garnett) to do a little more on the offensive load. (Andray) Blatche now is in a starting role so he's gotta do more, and I guess Jason is trying to figure out the guys on the bench. Like Alan Anderson who's done a good job when he's come off. Mirza (Teletovic) played well last game so maybe he gets more minutes, but we've gotta get a sort of rotation so guys know when they go in. And there's gotta be a trust factor from each other where they trust each other so if I'm guarding someone, the help is gonna be there. We've gotta trust an offense, if you know, take the shot when you're open. Sometimes we overpass the basketball or we get a turnover or a three seconds.
On Jason Kidd:
Billy King: Fortunately, I get to see him every day at practice, or we meet pretty much every day and talk. And from Day One of Training Camp to now, he's grown tremendously and I think he'll continue to grow. It's amazing how people are critiquing every little thing. If he stands, if he's sitting, what is he doing, but the one thing I know is he's working as hard as he can. He watches a lot of film. Today he made some adjustments defensively on the pick and roll, made some adjustments offensively, so he is putting as much effort and time into it. So the progress he's made, if he continues that pace, he's gonna be fine.
Sarah Kustok: How much has that helped, the dialogue between you and him on a daily basis, just going over what's going on, what's happening, and trying to give him some help?
Billy King: I think it helps because we talk about the personnel, we talk about the style of play, and I remind him of things he talked about in the interview process. So it does help, I think, to let him know that he has my support, so that when he's coaching the team: 1. Jason is very confident, he believes in himself, believes in his staff, believes in the team. So he knows, and now he's got the voice. He's more confident in what he's doing so when he speaks, he speaks with a lot more authority.
On Team Trust Issues
Billy King: I think when you're together a long time, you have that trust. If you look at the Indiana Pacers for example, their starting five has returned, so those guys have confidence and trust. They know what Paul George is gonna do defensively and offensively. They know what David West is gonna do.That is really what it is. When you play basketball or any team sport, the longer together you get more of a trust on the court from each other on both ends of the floor.
I think we've just gotta figure out how to get some wins, cause winning helps you feel a little better. Right now, the guys are a little frustrated and not doing well. So, the more... that just takes hard work, and the more time we have, we're gonna get there. I'm not doubting this group, I'm still bullish on this group, so it's just gonna take time. I'm just working and the only way I know how to get better is just hard work.
- Billy King Talks Jason Kidd, Brooklyn Nets In YES Network Interview (Video) - Sarah Kustok - YES Network via The Brooklyn Game
- King backs Kidd: Nets still believe in Jason - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York
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GM: Kidd making strides on sideline - Tim Bontemps - New York Post