Brooklyn Nets rookie coach Jason Kidd will not be present for the teams first two games of the regular season. Kidd was suspended after he plead guilty to driving while ability impaired in July.
Kidd is now forced to sit out during the Nets’ opener October 30 against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the home opener Nov. 1 against the Miami Heat.
Kidd will be present when his team takes on the Orlando Magic on November 3.
During his suspension lead assistant coach Lawrence Frank will take over the franchise.
The NBA currently uses a two-game precedent to punish players who are caught engaging in illegal activities.
Following the leagues announcement Nets general manager Billy King said in a statement:
“The decision is consistent with what the league has done in the past and we look forward to Jason leading our team versus Orlando and the rest of the year.”
Kidd plead guilty to a misdemeanor drunken-driving charge in July. The judge in that case placed the NBA coach on interim probation for a year. After consuming alcohol Kidd smashed his Cadillac SUV into a utility pole on eastern Long Island. Kidd was treated for minor injuries.
As part of his punishment for driving under the influence Jason Kidd must speak to students on Long Island about the dangers of drinking and driving.
The accident occurred while Kidd was driving home from a charity function. Police observed glossy eyes and alcohol smelling breath after they confronted the former NBA star.
Do you think a two-game NBA suspension is a big enough punishment or should that time frame be increased?