The Brooklyn Nets' 99-94 loss Wednesday night to the Los Angeles Lakers dropped their record to 4-11 on the season, raising concerns about Jason Kidd's ability to coach.
But it was the stunt that the first-year coach pulled during the game that has placed him in a false light.
Several media outlets reported Wednesday that Kidd staged a fake soda spill to earn an extra timeout late in the game because he had already used his allotment.
Thebrooklyngame.com is reporting that with 8.3 second left in the game and the Nets out of timeouts, Kidd grabbed a cup of soda, looked at second-year guard Tyshawn Taylor and mouthed, "Hit me," signaling the player to run to the bench and "accidentally" bump the coach.
A video replay seems to confirm thebrooklyngame.com's report.
Taylor complied and ran into Kidd, who proceeded to toss his cup in the air. The contents spilled on the floor, causing the referees to call a timeout.
While Kidd maneuvered his way around the spill, his assistant has a clipboard and waves someone over.
Not only did the fake "accidental spill" serve to ice Laker Jodie Meeks at the free throw line, but it allow allowed Kidd to draw up a play for Paul Pierce to use a Kevin Garnett screen to get open for a 3-pointer.
After the game, Kidd played off the spill as happenstance.
"Cup slipped out of my hand as I was getting Ty," Kidd said. "Sweaty palms. I was never good with the ball."
"In the heat of the battle, you're trying to get guys in and out of the game, and the cup fell out of my hand."
Thebrooklyngame.com reported that Taylor also denied the bump was intentional.
"Naw, I wasn't paying attention," Taylor said after the game. "I didn't even know he was holding nothing. Like, coach is drinking soda on the sidelines! I'm like 'What? What you doing?' "
Taylor, however, then went on to explain how the spill could be used as an advantage.
"It might ice a free throw shooter and be a time-out when you don't have one, but that wasn't the thought process. I was just coming out and he was in my way."
He then laughed, according to the report. " 'Coach, get out my way, bro.' "
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