Bobcats' nepotism and cronyism gone too far??

[Veteran_Picksetter]

We have Corey Higgins using up a roster spot on the bench.

Stephen Silas is now coaching games.

We had J.B. Bickerstaff as an assistant under his dad.

The dreadful Sam Vincent was a teammate of MJ's in Chicago.....

That Buzz Peterson scouting hire a few years back??

Thoughts??

[superb1]

I have seen lots of in my time with various employers, why should I expect any different. But of the various incidents in the league where father and sons coached/worked together, I think this maybe be the worst I have seen. Since the inception of the team it has been in the Bobcat blood.

[superb1]

We have Corey Higgins using up a roster spot on the bench.

Stephen Silas is now coaching games.

We had J.B. Bickerstaff as an assistant under his dad.

The dreadful Sam Vincent was a teammate of MJ's in Chicago.....

That Buzz Peterson scouting hire a few years back??

Thoughts??

Oh yeah, let's not forget the FOM brotherhood

[Veteran_Picksetter]

Oh yeah, let's not forget the FOM brotherhood

What does it do for the morale of the players when the GM's boy (questionably) takes up a spot? And when they have to alternate between a father/son coaching duo??

[ND22]

Curious as to how things panned out with Buzz as a scout? I ask because I've worked as a manager at UNCW for the past four years and the last two have been under his program.

[Wolfpackbobcat]

Paul Silas should fucking resign. If he wants his son to coach, Jordan should let him go. Waste of money. Its not professional at all. I understand we are bad, but this team is not well coached. There is no central authority if Paul is letting his son coach games. Its bush league, and an embarrassment. This team is not a team, and is not being run right. Higgins on our team is a prime example. Rod is just stealing money from this team by putting is son in. Jordan seriously needs to part ways with him for his own sake. Jordan is no Magic Johnson thats for sure.

Damn.

[superb1]

Let's hope that bringing in Rich Cho is the step in the right direction this franchise needs(obviously) and Rod stay away and in the office under MJ's desk. I think MJ will let Paul coach out his contract one more year and Paul will be out. I think Stephen also.

interesting find also

http://blogs.charlotte.com/inside_the_nba/2012/03/nba-wants-advance-notice-when-stephen-silas-coaches-charlotte-bobcats.html

[skratch]

I wish the bobcats would stop letting family, relatives, friends, be apart of the franchise in anyway, imo that so unprofessional, letting everybodys son get a crack at every position and coaching job on the team smh instead of throwing money at real professionals. LB is still one of the greatest moves ever

[Veteran_Picksetter]

Curious as to how things panned out with Buzz as a scout? I ask because I've worked as a manager at UNCW for the past four years and the last two have been under his program.

Maybe he was actually Director of Player Personnel?

It's hard for me to say how he did. I guess it depends on what resources and power he was actually allowed.

In restropect, it just seems like it was a temporary detour from Buzz's true calling/passion/career as a coach.

I will say this for M.J.: He has been world famous for years, and perhaps there is only a small circle of people in this world that he trusts to do right by him.....

Just speculating.

[QC Thundercats]

There shouldn't be any fuss regarding Stephen Silas. It's not like Paul suddenly was like, "hey, my son needs work, can we put him on the bench?" Stephen was actually an assistant when the Hornets were still in Charlotte, so he has a decade of coaching experience. He's also coached away from his dad and his worked through the ranks to become lead assistant.

He is very knowledgable, to where he's actually the one drawing up plays, and he honestly seems like the most prepared coach out of any we've had. Always professional, and the players seem to love him.

And having Stephen coach a few games is not classless or cheap, there is precedent for letting an assistant get some game experience, and honestly, he does a much better job than his dad right now. It's not like we're throwing away games for the playoff hunt just for a trick show with him.

I actually feel bad for Paul. He's wanted the job since the team started up, and they had a nice team when he took over. I don't think he expected the tanking to start suddenly at the end of his first year, and now he's stuck with a roster of players who are young and clueless every night. The only go to veterans he had left were Boris and I guess maggette, and you see how Boris decided to play it out.

I think he just wanted to coach a competitive team, and help young guys learn the game and gain confidence. I doubt he would've taken the job if he knew he'd have to lead the team to the bottom of the standings. I think he's holding onto the job so Stephen doesn't take so many losses to start his career, and get a fresh start at the beginning of a season.

[Mustachio]

Like the loss last night, I have no outrage with letting Stephen coach. He is a quality young candidate that people around the league would give a chance... why does it matter that his father is the one who ends up letting him do it?

Don Nelson used to do this with Avery Johnson and Keith Smart. Don would occasionally let them coach games. they are both NBA head coaches now.

Cory Higgins (is not very good) but he was with the Denver Nuggets in training camp so its not like he had no other opportunities.

JB Bickerstaff is still an NBA assistant not under his dad, so does that make the Houston Rockets a bunch of nepotistic losers? Or is that just reserved for us.

Why can't the fan base look at anything in a positive light for once? Why isn't Stephen Silas the next great coach instead of some bum punk kid that can't coach who's daddy got him everything? I mean we have no real evidence that he is a good coach or a bad coach, yet this fan base can't wait to label him a nobody. In fact, whenever Stephen has coached the team has actually looked better. Other teams and players that worked with him love him.

[superb1]

Why can't the fan base look at anything in a positive light for once? Why isn't Stephen Silas the next great coach instead of some bum punk kid that can't coach who's daddy got him everything? I mean we have no real evidence that he is a good coach or a bad coach, yet this fan base can't wait to label him a nobody. In fact, whenever Stephen has coached the team has actually looked better. Other teams and players that worked with him love him.

I guess it is a bunch of little "taboo" things here in Charlotte that make each one look bad.

[BETCATS]

I think it would be hilarious if we managed to trade for every single set of siblings/cousins in the NBA. Yes, that was an equally stupid response for a stupid thread.

[spectre]

It's well known I don't care for the Silas coaches, but the younger was a legit assistant on another team who by all reports was thought highly of.

Higgins' signing looks bad, but hiring the assistant coach who happened to be the current coach's son? Not so much IMO.

[dav7z]

We all know Paul is not coaching this team Stephen is . And has been sence the all star break . Really its a good move by MJ and Cho . It s not costing any more and management can see if Steven is worth a offer . Basicly he applying for the job now and is failing big time. The hireing of CHO is the best move MJ has ever made . Now if MJ continues to make his moves consulting CHO . Look for this team to have a nice upward swing .

I really don't know why Higgins is still around . Father or son?

[TheBeagle]

There shouldn't be any fuss regarding Stephen Silas. It's not like Paul suddenly was like, "hey, my son needs work, can we put him on the bench?" Stephen was actually an assistant when the Hornets were still in Charlotte, so he has a decade of coaching experience. He's also coached away from his dad and his worked through the ranks to become lead assistant.

He is very knowledgable, to where he's actually the one drawing up plays, and he honestly seems like the most prepared coach out of any we've had. Always professional, and the players seem to love him.

And having Stephen coach a few games is not classless or cheap, there is precedent for letting an assistant get some game experience, and honestly, he does a much better job than his dad right now. It's not like we're throwing away games for the playoff hunt just for a trick show with him.

I actually feel bad for Paul. He's wanted the job since the team started up, and they had a nice team when he took over. I don't think he expected the tanking to start suddenly at the end of his first year, and now he's stuck with a roster of players who are young and clueless every night. The only go to veterans he had left were Boris and I guess maggette, and you see how Boris decided to play it out.

I think he just wanted to coach a competitive team, and help young guys learn the game and gain confidence. I doubt he would've taken the job if he knew he'd have to lead the team to the bottom of the standings. I think he's holding onto the job so Stephen doesn't take so many losses to start his career, and get a fresh start at the beginning of a season. Good post, man, and pretty much 100% accurate on all fronts.

While I don't think the duo are the best men for the job short term or long term, Paul was given the bait and switch by MJ in giving him the reins of a competitive team and then at the trade deadline, going all on tank mode with the GW deal and subsequent moves. In this context, I have no problem at all with Paul letting his son have a go at it.

[Veteran_Picksetter]

I guess it is a bunch of little "taboo" things here in Charlotte that make each one look bad.

I think you're onto something. It appears to be a "pattern" by a franchise that has largely disappointed. But it doesn't mean that every single instance of nepotism and cronyism has been wrong........

[Veteran_Picksetter]

There shouldn't be any fuss regarding Stephen Silas. It's not like Paul suddenly was like, "hey, my son needs work, can we put him on the bench?" Stephen was actually an assistant when the Hornets were still in Charlotte, so he has a decade of coaching experience. He's also coached away from his dad and his worked through the ranks to become lead assistant.

He is very knowledgable, to where he's actually the one drawing up plays, and he honestly seems like the most prepared coach out of any we've had. Always professional, and the players seem to love him.

And having Stephen coach a few games is not classless or cheap, there is precedent for letting an assistant get some game experience, and honestly, he does a much better job than his dad right now. It's not like we're throwing away games for the playoff hunt just for a trick show with him.

I actually feel bad for Paul. He's wanted the job since the team started up, and they had a nice team when he took over. I don't think he expected the tanking to start suddenly at the end of his first year, and now he's stuck with a roster of players who are young and clueless every night. The only go to veterans he had left were Boris and I guess maggette, and you see how Boris decided to play it out.

I think he just wanted to coach a competitive team, and help young guys learn the game and gain confidence. I doubt he would've taken the job if he knew he'd have to lead the team to the bottom of the standings. I think he's holding onto the job so Stephen doesn't take so many losses to start his career, and get a fresh start at the beginning of a season.

Thank you for the post. How do you feel about the Corey Higgins thing??

[Veteran_Picksetter]

Anybody ever work for an owner or manager who hired their child or an old crony?? Maybe you had to manage the child or the crony?? I have, and it is often a very less-than-ideal situation. It puts people in awkward spots and screws up the chain of command. Abuse can easily occur.

On TV the announcers said that Higgins gave his son the roster spot as a Christmas present. I REALLY hope that was just a mild joke about the timing of it.

[adam187]

forget about cory, the fact that rod higgins is still here is the greatest absurdity. it indicates to me that mj looks to his inner circle first and foremost and is not evaluating strictly on results, although perhaps the cho hire forebodes a change in that method.

when it works, it's nice - see charles oakley. but more often that not, it just leads to mediocre results.

as for stephen silas - i like him and think we should give him a shot.

[superb1]

Anybody ever work for an owner or manager who hired their child or an old crony?? Maybe you had to manage the child or the crony?? I have, and it is often a very less-than-ideal situation. It puts people in awkward spots and screws up the chain of command. Abuse can easily occur.

On TV the announcers said that Higgins gave his son the roster spot as a Christmas present. I REALLY hope that was just a mild joke about the timing of it.

Yes, I have worked in a good ole system, I could not any thing I deserve due to seniority or performance due the crony being well cared for, so I understand the whole system. But I understand people in power like MJ are comfortable with friends around him. But I think he is understanding that he is getting marginal results, so enter Rich Cho, someone not a funkie. Hoping MJ is moving to trust "experts" rather than friends. Some Charles Barkley said, MJ has people around him is afraid to so no because he is who he is and he writes the checks.

As far as Silas's, this is coincidental and isolated, but being every incident lump together in Charlotte makes the case of nepotism looks bigger and worse than what it is. The Cory Higgins thing is kind of messed up especially when better options were available like J. Lin, I think. lol

[QC Thundercats]

Thank you for the post. How do you feel about the Corey Higgins thing??

The Cory Higgins thing doesn't really bother me as much as it seems to others. First, we're pretty much arguing about the 15th man on the roster. Most rotations only go 8-9 deep, maybe 10 on good teams. Players 10-15 are pretty much practice players who only would end up seeing spot duty during blowouts (which unfortunately for us is 4 out of 5 games). But the last couple spots are generally reserved for intriguing prospects who may never pan out in the end anyway.

From a basketball standpoint, I can understand the logic, besides the whole family thing. We needed a third guard, and here was a tall 6'5 combo guard who happens to be the all time leading scorer in Colorado history, and 6th all time in Big 12 history. Maybe they were hoping he could become a Larry Hughes like guard who could play both positions, and wanted to roll the dice on a hungry young player under the radar, see what he could do. Unfortunately, he has one of the worst shooting forms for a guard that I've ever seen, and he has tunnel vision when he tries to make a play. But he does have good aggressiveness and ability to get to the hole, so if he works on his game and fixes his shot, he might get another chance to be a 15th man somewhere else.

So ultimately, yes he was given the edge over the other training camp scrubs based on his heritage, but it was somewhat defensible because he filled a positional need, and had proven to be a capable player and nice scorer at the previous level.

For the worst offense of cronyism/nepotism, it has to be either Kevin Burleson:facepalm:, who only existed in the NBA because Bernie Bickerstaff's son played with him in college, or of course, the one and only, the most finest of all ham biscuits:fhb:, the mouth-breathing, getting-locked-out-by-his-players, friend of Michael, Sam Vincent.

[Mustachio]

The Cory Higgins thing is so trivial. Its not like he would be here if that roster spot was needed for someone else.

[Veteran_Picksetter]

The Cory Higgins thing is so trivial. Its not like he would be here if that roster spot was needed for someone else.

How do you know Higgins isn't pulling favoritism for his son?

Trivial? Ask a better prospect who deserves a shot in the league.

We are one of the worst teams in history. Perhaps we should have been scouring the globe for some diamond in the rough to fill the last couple of spots(including Higgins'). I believe someone mentioned Jeremy Lin being available at one point.

[Veteran_Picksetter]

The Cory Higgins thing doesn't really bother me as much as it seems to others. First, we're pretty much arguing about the 15th man on the roster. Most rotations only go 8-9 deep, maybe 10 on good teams. Players 10-15 are pretty much practice players who only would end up seeing spot duty during blowouts (which unfortunately for us is 4 out of 5 games). But the last couple spots are generally reserved for intriguing prospects who may never pan out in the end anyway.

From a basketball standpoint, I can understand the logic, besides the whole family thing. We needed a third guard, and here was a tall 6'5 combo guard who happens to be the all time leading scorer in Colorado history, and 6th all time in Big 12 history. Maybe they were hoping he could become a Larry Hughes like guard who could play both positions, and wanted to roll the dice on a hungry young player under the radar, see what he could do. Unfortunately, he has one of the worst shooting forms for a guard that I've ever seen, and he has tunnel vision when he tries to make a play. But he does have good aggressiveness and ability to get to the hole, so if he works on his game and fixes his shot, he might get another chance to be a 15th man somewhere else.

So ultimately, yes he was given the edge over the other training camp scrubs based on his heritage, but it was somewhat defensible because he filled a positional need, and had proven to be a capable player and nice scorer at the previous level.

For the worst offense of cronyism/nepotism, it has to be either Kevin Burleson:facepalm:, who only existed in the NBA because Bernie Bickerstaff's son played with him in college, or of course, the one and only, the most finest of all ham biscuits:fhb:, the mouth-breathing, getting-locked-out-by-his-players, friend of Michael, Sam Vincent.

LOL! A fine Ham Bisquit indeed. And I forgot all about Kevin Burleson. Geez!!

[Veteran_Picksetter]

Hoping MJ is moving to trust "experts" rather than friends. Some Charles Barkley said, MJ has people around him is afraid to so no because he is who he is and he writes the checks.


See George Lucas and Sadaam Hussein.

I think the same thing happened to George when he was making that lousy Phantom Menace.

Sadaam Hussein's advisors told him he could handle a U.S. attack because they were too scared(for their lives?) to tell him bad news--at least according to some documentary I watched.

If you surround yourself with "yes men" who feed your ego, you are going to put out an inferior product.

[BRNC]

The deal with Cory Higgins (IMO) is beyond trivial...I doubt they want to pay more money to cut him and bring in another player with so few games left...and...they've proven they can lose just fine with him on the roster...:facepalm:

[adam187]

interesting cory higgins stat i came across. among rookies, he has the 4th highest usage rate in the league with a minimum of 200 minutes played (tunnel vision as someone said before), but he also has a negative win-share, as in statistics say he is detrimental to the team whenever he is on the court. he has the lowest win-share of all qualified rookies (anyone who has played 200 minutes). i thought this was humorous.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/psl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=single&per_minute_base=36&type=advanced&lg_id=NBA&is_playoffs=N&year_min=2012&year_max=2012&franch_id=&season_start=1&season_end=1&age_min=0&age_max=99&height_min=0&height_max=99&birth_country_is=Y&birth_country=&is_active=&is_hof=&is_as=&as_comp=gt&as_val=0&pos_is_g=Y&pos_is_gf=Y&pos_is_f=Y&pos_is_fg=Y&pos_is_fc=Y&pos_is_c=Y&pos_is_cf=Y&qual=&c1stat=mp&c1comp=gt&c1val=200&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&c5stat=&c5comp=gt&c6mult=1.0&c6stat=&order_by=usg_pct

[BETCATS]

Higgins isnt just the son of Rod, he is also MJ's godson. And he is not a 'combo guard', he is a shooting guard that is 6'5 (just under what an NBA shooting guard should be). We really shouldve signed a 3rd point guard at the beginning of the year instead of him. I dont care if we are tanking, at least be professional and sign players based off of need.

[dnbman]

How do you know Higgins isn't pulling favoritism for his son?

Trivial? Ask a better prospect who deserves a shot in the league.

We are one of the worst teams in history. Perhaps we should have been scouring the globe for some diamond in the rough to fill the last couple of spots(including Higgins'). I believe someone mentioned Jeremy Lin being available at one point.

Jeremy Lin didn't show Linsanity until D'Antoni had no option but to let the guy run and gun. And my guess is that if had done similar things here, but without all the wins, he'd be seen as wreckless rather than amazing. Not to rain on Linsanity, but there's excitement about him as a Knick that just wouldn't have happened in most other cities.

As for Higgins, the only way I'd criticize the move is if we gave up looking at other players, which I doubt is the case. There just aren't that many diamonds in the rough waiting to be discovered anymore. There's so much information available to anyone with an internet connection that it's easy to get an idea of who's worth looking at. I can't fault the Bobcats for thinking that Higgins would likely develop better than some other D-league player. The fact that he's a relative doesn't affect me too much. Again, the kid has credentials.

This is what I believe about Jordan at the present moment: he's looking for whatever makes the most sense to win games. He's hired Cho, someone with legit credentials of turning around teams. He's undoing a lot of the mistakes that the team has made over the years. Several things-- Bickerstaff and some of the players-- are just place holders at the moment.

It's unfortunate that we had a bad combination of veterans that made the atmosphere less than ideal, but I do appreciate what Jordan is doing in trying to rebuild, even if it flies in the face of what we teach kids about competition.

[Chef]

hey vet,
you should ask john hollinger and true hoop for some royalties:

https://plus.google.com/101870459618152803394/posts/KBh2BNgAPPF

John Hollinger writes:

"The NBA: Where Nepotism Happens. The latest and most egregious example comes from Charlotte, where coach Paul Silas is allowing his son Stephen to run the team on some nights. Management might have taken a harder line on this, except that they're doing it too. Cory Higgins, the son of team president Rod Higgins, unexpectedly made the team in training camp and has been on the roster all season. He's played 284 minutes with a 4.84 PER.

"The Bobcats are in the crosshairs right now, but you can pick out just about any team in the league and find that either the coach or general manager has a son, brother or nephew on the payroll.

"The Bobcats should be trying to run a basketball team, not a job-training center. I've long wondered why organizations don't adopt a "Just Say No" position on adding Junior to the staff. While many of these gentlemen are undoubtedly deserving of their positions in the league, if that's the case there are also 29 other teams that would be glad to have them.

"Of course, this is more easily done if ownership isn't doing the same thing (hello, Joe Lacob!), but at least in the case of ownership it mirrors what's done in virtually every family business. Professional basketball is one of the few in which middle management gets away with the same thing."

[Veteran_Picksetter]

Jeremy Lin didn't show Linsanity until D'Antoni had no option but to let the guy run and gun. And my guess is that if had done similar things here, but without all the wins, he'd be seen as wreckless rather than amazing. Not to rain on Linsanity, but there's excitement about him as a Knick that just wouldn't have happened in most other cities.

As for Higgins, the only way I'd criticize the move is if we gave up looking at other players, which I doubt is the case. There just aren't that many diamonds in the rough waiting to be discovered anymore. There's so much information available to anyone with an internet connection that it's easy to get an idea of who's worth looking at. I can't fault the Bobcats for thinking that Higgins would likely develop better than some other D-league player. The fact that he's a relative doesn't affect me too much. Again, the kid has credentials.

This is what I believe about Jordan at the present moment: he's looking for whatever makes the most sense to win games. He's hired Cho, someone with legit credentials of turning around teams. He's undoing a lot of the mistakes that the team has made over the years. Several things-- Bickerstaff and some of the players-- are just place holders at the moment.

It's unfortunate that we had a bad combination of veterans that made the atmosphere less than ideal, but I do appreciate what Jordan is doing in trying to rebuild, even if it flies in the face of what we teach kids about competition.

I hate the whole Linsanity hype and realize it wouldn't have occured here. But, let's assume he was available for us to grab: There's a huge gulf between Lin's performance starting for the Knicks and Higgins' performance using up a low spot on a terrible team. Lin could have done some nice things here, especially with DJ having injury issues.