NEW YORK — Semantics matter, particularly in the titles of NBA positions. After the Brooklyn Nets and former head coach Steve Nash parted ways, the franchise named longtime assistant Jacque Vaughn as acting head coach, as opposed to the interim title Vaughn received when he filled Kenny Atkinson’s first chair during the disjointed 2019-20 season.
Vaughn was only told he’d be overseeing last Tuesday night’s clash against the Chicago Bulls. The Nets, as was widely reported, were moving forward with hiring suspended Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka, despite Boston’s play-caller being sidelined for an improper relationship with a subordinate.