It was the Nets worst loss in years, and the fifth in six games for a team struggling to stay in the playoff race. But issues had been festering for months. “From the onset of Nets training camp” there had been “concerns over the offensive structure and other strategies.” The coach was “defiant and strong-willed: He would handle the team his way. He maintained his offensive and defensive philosophies.” There was “not enough productive communication” between him and his players, “several” of whom had “begun disconnecting” with him.
Following the blowout loss, the coach “walked into the postgame locker room, sat down in a chair and told his players and staff: It’s time to air out our grievances.