Jason Kidd spent last week coaching the Nets in the Orlando Summer League.
Credit: Getty Images
New Nets head coach Jason Kidd had to deal with a bit of unpleasantness from his time with the crosstown rival Knicks in court Tuesday morning.
Kidd pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drunk driving charges from a car accident in the Hamptons in July 2012.
The incident came just weeks after he signed with the Knicks for what turned out to be his final season as a player. He was hired as the Nets’ new head coach on June 12.
As part of the plea agreement Kidd will speak on the dangers of drunk driving to high school students in Long Island. Should he satisfy those requirements, the charge is expected to be reduced to simply a violation on Sept. 30 in his next court appearance.
“Because of his status as a professional athlete Mr. Kidd is the perfect person to reinforce the important message we’ve been trying to send, which is don’t drink and drive,” Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said in a statement.
He could still face punishment from the NBA, however. The Daily News reports Kidd could be suspended from coaching for two games this upcoming regular season.
Kidd was charged after crashing his SUV into a telephone pole on July 15, 2012 after a night of partying at club SL East after a Hamptons charity event.
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