If not Larry Brown next season, then who?

[cls77]

Now let me start off by saying I'm not playing chicken little here, nor am I ill-content with our current position. I'm very grateful to Larry Brown for what he has built here, and hope he continues to build upon this success next season and beyond.

But reports are reports, and whether or not they have much merit, if Larry Brown is not at the helm next year -- who would you want to see in?

A beat writer for the Warriors compiled a pretty good list of likely candidates for coaching vacancies here: http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/2009/11/12/van-gundy-thibodeau-mark-jackson-jeff-bzdelik-just-a-list-means-nothing-my-list/


—LIST OF HEAD-COACHING CANDIDATES/
-Jeff Van Gundy, former Houston and NY Knicks coach, current TV analyst;
-Jeff Bzdelik, former Denver Nuggets coach, currently at Colorado;
-Tom Thibodeau, Boston Celtics assistant, defensive specialist;
-Avery Johnson, former Dallas coach, current TV analyst;
-Jim Boylen, former long-time NBA assistant, currently at University of Utah.
-Brian Shaw, assistant with Lakers, Oakland native;
-Mike Budenholzer, long-time San Antonio Spurs assistant;
-Keith Smart, Warriors’ No. 1 assistant;
-Mark Jackson, long-time NBA player, currently TV analyst;
-Maurice Cheeks, former Portland and Philadelphia coach, currently assistant in Oklahoma City;
-Doug Collins, former coach for multiple teams, currently TV analyst;
-Dwane Casey, former Minnesota coach, currently assistant in Dallas;
-Byron Scott, former NJ coach, just fired as New Orleans coach;
-Paul Silas, former Charlotte Hornets coach;
-Bill Laimbeer, long-time former player, WNBA coach, currently assistant in Minnesota;
-Mario Elie, long-time former player, former Warriors assistant, currently assistant in Sacramento in Dallas;
-Sam Cassel, long-time former player, currently assistant in Washington.

If Larry Brown is not here next year, I think we have to take a new turn -- meaning we don't replace long-standing experience with experience. No one on that list is Larry Brown, so we shouldn't bring in someone with 5+ years decent-to-mediocore head coaching experience. Why try to replace Larry Brown with someone who is just in his shadow? That would knock Van Gundy, Collins, Cheeks, Scott and Silas (although I lobbied hard for Silas over Sam Vincent years back) off the list.

Personally, I'm intrigued with the picks of Mark Jackson, Tom Thibodeau, and Avery Johnson.

Avery Johnson took a Don Nelson-built team and made them even better. I think he could have the same effect with Larry's guys. With the fundamentals down and in place now, Avery could take this team to the next level. That said, I think Avery Johnson is a 2-3 year solution at best. Motivational/"Players" coaches have short shelf-lives.

While I'd prefer to see a younger, more energetic coach step in, Tom Thibodeau would be the exception. He would solidify if not strengthen our already strong defense, and probably add another layer of toughness to our squad. Hes the oldest of my three picks, but hes been trying get a head coaching job for a while now and I believe he would bring plenty of enthusiasm to the position.

Mark Jackson is the wild card, as he has no level of coaching experience. It seems to be all or nothing with him, because hes been mentioned as a leading candidate for a few head coaching jobs, but does not seem to be content with taking an assistant's position anywhere. Still, Jackson has always been disciplined and knowledgable at the game, and few would dispute he has what it takes to be a great NBA coach.... its just a matter of when and if it should be with us.

Tough to make a call here... I'll still take Larry over any of these guys. What do you all think?

[G Force]

http://7amkickoff.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/wenger-facepalm.jpg

why..

why is there a thread like this?

"but reports are reports?" Well...where is the recent report?

[cls77]

http://7amkickoff.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/wenger-facepalm.jpg

why..

why is there a thread like this?

"but reports are reports?" Well...where is the recent report?

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/nets/larry_hittin_road_again_GpGbKcz6ZWdzLIvZKsplUJ

http://dailyphiladelphian.com/2010/04/11/sixers-better-investigate-bringing-back-larry-brown/

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/Larry_Brown_.html

and then there was the talk about the Clippers before the sale of the team.

I understand Larry Brown hasn't said anything positive about this in public, but even Bonnell pointed out today that hes never given a flat public denial either. http://blogs.charlotte.com/inside_the_nba/2010/04/larry-brown-headed-back-to-philly.html

I'm not trying to dampen moods before we enter the playoffs.... I think its just a worthwhile conversation to be having. At the very least, discussing who are the most worthwhile candidates in what is sure to be a few head coaching vacancies in the off-season.

Would it make you feel better if I set this to re-post in 8 weeks? :)

[Dexmor]

I would hire Silas.

[G Force]

Would it make you feel better if I set this to re-post in 8 weeks? :)

Yes, after we beat the Thunder in the Finals.

[cls77]

http://7amkickoff.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/wenger-facepalm.jpg



Also... are you suggesting with your picture selection the Bobcats should go after Arsène Wenger? I'm not sure hes looking to leave the Arsenal anytime soon or not.... but it could be an intriguing pick!

[SWedd523]

2009 = Tyson Chandler
2010 = Byron Scott
2011 = Chris Paul

[bozzy]

I would hire Silas.

Talk about extremes. I don't see how you go from a great details oriented guy to a guy who doesn't even know what a offensive set is.

[jdsingar]

Uh...I would...pass?

[ohara831]

Off that list, I prefer Van Gundy 1st. I like the idea of Mark Jackson, but not so sure MJ am ready to hire someone without much HC experience. I put Patrick Ewing in the same category. I think both Jackson and Ewing have the knowledge and ability, but without the track record, not sure if MJ would esperiment again. Did not go so well with the Fine Ham Biscuit.

[ammofan]

Byron Scott or Jeff Van Gundy......I wouldnt mind Mark Jackson either.

BUT PLEASE NO:
http://upsidedownagain.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/avery.jpg

[eleaf14]

Dave Hanners

[CatNation]

Dave Hanners

This. Someone that can continue on what LB has built and keep a similar system.

[Weezy21]

is lawrence frank not an option??

[blazenheat09]

I'm on the Byron Scott bandwagon as well. Fairly young coach who could stick around for a while. He was good with Tyson and I feel like he could handle Jack as well. No Avery Johnson. Can't stand him as an analyst let alone a head coach.

[DCW]

Would Jordan still have an interest in Sam Mitchell, just curious, but please no Avery Johnson

[cls77]

Would Jordan still have an interest in Sam Mitchell, just curious, but please no Avery Johnson

I completely forgot about Sam Mitchell. Mitchell was actually supposed to be Bickerstaff's lead assistant in our inaugural season until he was lured over to coach Toronto.

Also liked Patrick Ewing (although maybe I'm biased because I was raised a Knicks fan during the Ewing-Oakley-Starks era)

But Lawrence Frank? Cmon! :)

[cls77]

Dave Hanners

My guess is that IF Brown were in fact to depart, most of the coaching staff that came with him -- Hanners, Herb Brown, Phil Ford, Lasalle Thompson -- would all depart with him. Jeff Capel is the only assistant on staff prior to Brown's tenure.

PS NBA.com needs to update Hanners' bio. Its still gushes over being a coach in New York (which didn't work out well for anyone on Brown's staff).
http://www.nba.com/coachfile/dave_hanners/index.html

[cls77]

I'm on the Byron Scott bandwagon as well. Fairly young coach who could stick around for a while. He was good with Tyson and I feel like he could handle Jack as well. No Avery Johnson. Can't stand him as an analyst let alone a head coach.

Is Byron Scott really all that great? I feel as if hes benefitted from coaching two of the best point guards in the last decade, Jason Kidd and Chris Paul, and hes still a coach just below .500 in 10 seasons.

I say the same thing about Mike D'Antoni -- did he make Steve Nash great or did Nash make him great? Same goes for Scott with Kidd and Paul.

Say what you want about Avery Johnson (not my #1 choice, fyi) but he has a career .735 winning percentage over 3 seasons.

[rsxnova]

MJ could just pull a Jackie Moon and be the first Owner, Coach, Player.

[cls77]

By the way....

http://blogs.charlotte.com/inside_the_nba/2010/04/brown-im-not-coaching-anywhere-but-charlotte.html

Hopefully that means he doesn't RETIRE after the season, or take a front office job. But I'm satisfied for now :)

[cls77]

MJ could just pull a Jackie Moon and be the first Owner, Coach, Player.

That would be EPIC. But only if he rebrands the Bobcats as the 1970s Tropics

[teej]

Even though LB is probably staying, most guys on this list aren't coming.

Is there anyone MJ likes less that JVG? Or Patrick?

Johnson is an idiot, Silas I love but he's not happening, Scott is waiting on Phil Jackson to retire, and Thibs is the next Celts coach.

Hanners or bust. Or maybe Phil Ford (who coached the 07-08 team with Vincent, so he might stay if LB happened to go).

[SirBobcat]

I would hire Patrick Ewing. He's done a nice job in working with the big men in Orlando and he's an intelligent player from back in the day when he was the face of the Knicks organization.

With that said, I hope Larry Brown is the coach next season and I would like to see what he would do with a full year of the guys we got now.

[GoBobs]

Mike Dantoni when the Knicks get nobody in free agency.

[teej]

Mike Dantoni when the Knicks get nobody in free agency.

Lord no. He's a horrible coach, and we don't have the team for his 10 seconds or less offense. He's overrated and the Knicks fans are turning on him, mainly because he's not a coach.

[CatNation]

ugh D'Antoni in one week would undo all the hard work our guys have put in on the defensive end, and with our mediocre offense we'd probably end up worse than the knicks.

[Ghost Kat]

I vote for Jesus

Has anyone asked him yet?

[SWedd523]

Is Byron Scott really all that great? I feel as if hes benefitted from coaching two of the best point guards in the last decade, Jason Kidd and Chris Paul, and hes still a coach just below .500 in 10 seasons.

I say the same thing about Mike D'Antoni -- did he make Steve Nash great or did Nash make him great? Same goes for Scott with Kidd and Paul.

Say what you want about Avery Johnson (not my #1 choice, fyi) but he has a career .735 winning percentage over 3 seasons.

Do you remember the team Avery inherited? It was a 60 win team before he got there. They underachieved with him at the helm and he got ran out of town.

I say Byron Scott for no other reason than to lure Chris Paul. I mean, we can resign his big man, have a better tandem of wings, better defense, AND his buddy/coach

[DY_nasty]

Byron Scott?

Come on, seriously? In the last decade of NBA basketball have you guys ever seen a team give up on its coach the way the Hornets gave up on Byron Scott? You all remember his last playoff game - the one that is arguably the worst playoff loss in NBA history?

The guy gets ran out of town for a reason, same with Avery Johnson. I'd much rather see Jordan give Dwayne Casey (former Timberwolves coach who got unjustly fired) a shot.

[Marvel]

D'Antoni is an overrated prick he sucks as a coach.

[G Force]

After reading the comments in this thread, I honestly can't believe we watch and follow the same sport.

MIKE D'ANTONI? AVERY JOHNSON?


Larry Brown is here to stay, DELETE this thread please.

[GoBobs]

We totally have the personal to run more. If Dantoni could fix the offense we would be beastly, plus it is a much more exciting style to watch. I am fine with LB staying as long as we break more in the future sorta like the nuggets do after a turnover by the other team.

[DY_nasty]

We totally have the personal to run more. If Dantoni could fix the offense we would be beastly, plus it is a much more exciting style to watch. I am fine with LB staying as long as we break more in the future sorta like the nuggets do after a turnover by the other team.

Lets just say for a second that D'Antoni actually is a good coach (he's incredibly overrated, his 2005-6 team and the success that DIDN'T follow should more than prove that), we don't have the personnel for it. How many shooters do we have on this team? Two on a good day at most. You think JAX liked gunning before, wait until he's actually encouraged to do it. D'Antoni here would drop us back to Sam Vincent levels overnight.

Avery Johnson is a hack - any Dallas fan can tell you. This is a guy who has Jason Kidd fall into his lap, and instead of modifying his gameplan to take advantage of this Hall of Famer's skillset, he decides that running ISOs for Josh Howard all game is a much better idea. Also, the debacle against Golden State was almost entirely his fault as well.

[ohara831]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5086884

End of the speculation. He stays with Charlotte. Yes.

[BobCatsFanInTx]

Would Jordan still have an interest in Sam Mitchell, just curious, but please no Avery JohnsonI could care less what anybody thinks of Avery Johnson personally because what really matters is what he brings to the Bobcats or any team he coaches. People need to remember that when Avery took over the Mavericks he had NO head coaching experience. He took the Mavericks to their only finals and because they were not able to win it all that year or go again to the Finals let alone win a championship, Avery was made the scape goat. Also Dirk Nowitzky went soft and rubbed off on his teammates.

I feel that Avery Johnson would be good for maybe 5 years at most so I don't find him the right replacement for LB but this dislike for a guy who showed he could achieve success at the highest level when given the chance is just silly.

With all that said I would like the replacement to LB to be a guy with at least 5 years of head coaching experience and way more than an average winning percentage.

[BobCatsFanInTx]

Teej writes..Johnson is an idiot

BobCatsFanInTx responds..When did it become important for a head coach to be liked by the fanbase? As far as I am concerned I could care less about what my personal feelings are for a coach if he can keep my favorite team relevant for as long as possible.

[CatNation]

I doubt it means anything but I'm sitting here in South Park Mall right now and I saw Herb Brown and his wife? in here shopping for a china set. Staying?!

[teej]

BobCatsFanInTx responds..When did it become important for a head coach to be liked by the fanbase? As far as I am concerned I could care less about what my personal feelings are for a coach if he can keep my favorite team relevant for as long as possible.

It's not my personal feelings, it's the fact that he's stupid. He has no trend-setting ability nor imagination. He also isn't the "details" kind of coach LB is, which compensates for the other two. He has no specific ability as a coach, he's just a "buddy" and with our personnel, that's not necessarily a great idea. He's certainly not worth the money.

GoBobs, I don't even know what to say. On the roster right now we have 3 shooters, one of whom likely won't be back next year (Hughes) and another who, if coached by D'Antoni, would be the all time biggest chucker (Jack). There's no reason to EVER bring him in as a coach, much less with this team.

[DY_nasty]

I could care less what anybody thinks of Avery Johnson personally because what really matters is what he brings to the Bobcats or any team he coaches. People need to remember that when Avery took over the Mavericks he had NO head coaching experience. He took the Mavericks to their only finals and because they were not able to win it all that year or go again to the Finals let alone win a championship, Avery was made the scape goat. Also Dirk Nowitzky went soft and rubbed off on his teammates.

I feel that Avery Johnson would be good for maybe 5 years at most so I don't find him the right replacement for LB but this dislike for a guy who showed he could achieve success at the highest level when given the chance is just silly.

With all that said I would like the replacement to LB to be a guy with at least 5 years of head coaching experience and way more than an average winning percentage.
Avery Johnson took a team that won 60 games in the previous season and then guided them to the biggest playoff catastrophe in NBA history. Do. Not. Want.

As it stands, he'd have to take a team like the Pacers or Kings to 40 wins or playoff berth before I'd have any respect for him as a coach. IMO, Isiah Thomas was a better coach... and thats saying something.

[teej]

IMO, Isiah Thomas was a better coach... and thats saying something.

Isiah wasn't a bad coach, he was just a horrible GM.

That's why the Knicks still suck.

[DY_nasty]

Isiah wasn't a bad coach, he was just a horrible GM.

That's why the Knicks still suck.
I was really going by what all went down with the Pacers during his tenure there.

Still, I'd much rather see Stephanie Ready take over than Avery or Byron Scott.

[teej]

Still, I'd much rather see Stephanie Ready take over than Avery or Byron Scott.

Yep. At least we'd have Oprah be a fan, thus every black woman, half the white women, and all gay guys would love the team.

Wait. That's a bad idea.

Steph, keep your fine self on the tv show. You know, where we can see you in HD. :biggrin:

[BobCatsFanInTx]

Avery Johnson took a team that won 60 games in the previous season and then guided them to the biggest playoff catastrophe in NBA history. Do. Not. Want.

As it stands, he'd have to take a team like the Pacers or Kings to 40 wins or playoff berth before I'd have any respect for him as a coach. IMO, Isiah Thomas was a better coach... and thats saying something.Wait till you see what he does with the Hornets!!!!!!!!!!!!

[teej]

Wait till you see what he does with the Hornets!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lottery his entire time :p

And Chris Paul will leave :biggrin: