Vincents Relationship with the Players

[MattD]

Anyone here about this... from espn's recap of the charlotte game:

"It was a positive ending to a rough week for the Bobcats, who entered with the league's longest losing streak. Coach Sam Vincent put his team through two difficult days of practice that included a heated exchange between Vincent and Okafor at the end of Friday's workout.
Vincent was upset that Charlotte wasn't getting the ball to Okafor. They changed that in the first half, with Okafor scoring 13 points as the Bobcats built a 49-42 lead."

That may go along with what others have said about the players and how they feel like they may know more then Vincent etc. But this is interesting coming from Mek the mild mannered guy. Also the fact that Vincent said he was going to make the team practice 7 days a week, doesnt seem like a good idea to me, never giving the players a break... thoughts?

[davcbow]

What ever was said or done behind the scenes, it worked..... We won finally!

Go Bobcats!!!!!

[MattD]

hardly something to say our problems are over about... we beat a lebron less cavs; barely

[davcbow]

I didnt say our problems are over, we need a good big man real bad and we need a small. We have 2 good players out on injury until next year at best. We have alot of problems and what coach did or said must have worked to get a team that had lost 7 games in a row and have the personnel problems we have to pull out a win. A win is a win and I'll take them as they come because they may not be that many this year with out any help..... :g:

[ohara831]

I have no problem at all with his busting their asses. I have been sick and tired of watching them essentially quit in the 4th when they got behind. Crash is the only one I can say I have not seen take time off when the game was out of hand. And that especially includes Okafor! He has disappeared way too often.

And like the man said above, it must have worked. Okafor was demanding the ball, and they team was giving it to him.

Finally, if a player thinks he knows more than the coach, then he's gonna be trouble. If that crap starts here like it did in NY and has on other teams in the past, then get rid of the troublemaker. I will back the Coach against a prima donna player almost every time!

[ziggy]

This quote from today's Charlotte Observer also suggests that some of his perimeter guys are questioning his authoritah.


Vincent had told his shooters they were taking too many long balls.

"But we're open!" Vincent recalled of his shooters' reply.

"There's a reason you're open," Vincent said. "

[davcbow]

Thats a good burn on the perimeter game..... :g:

[Keetch]

Frankly, I trust Okafor's intelligence much more than Vincent' s or any of the coaches for that matter. I've worried that Okafor didn't sign his extension mostly because he can't trust this organization and needs to keep his options open. I'm worried.

I thought last night's game, though we won; was very ugly basketball.

[ohara831]

Frankly, I trust Okafor's intelligence much more than Vincent' s or any of the coaches for that matter. I've worried that Okafor didn't sign his extension mostly because he can't trust this organization and needs to keep his options open. I'm worried.

I thought last night's game, though we won; was very ugly basketball.
__________________________________________________ ____

Keetch: It is not a matter of who we think may be right on an issue. It is a matter of chain of command. You cannot have the players question the authority of the Coach. The team will absolutely disintegrate! It's like in the military. You dont question the intelligence of the guy in charge. If you are a Private, and a Colonel gives a command, you do what he says. If it does not work, but you have executed his Orders, then you have to trust the people above him to make a change. (But in the NBA, at least you do not have to die for your boss's errors in judgement. It's only a comparison, so please dont read too much into my example)

Bottom line is, if there is this feeling of mistrust, this team is DOOMED! MJ is not going to pull the plug on his man b/c Okafor, Ray, Crash or J-Rich questions his leadership. I agree with you on one aspect though - I think we do seriously have to worry about where this is going. Wven though we won last night.

[Keetch]

I understand O'Hara, and I bet Okafor does too. But between the PA announcer and Vincent the games are becoming unwatchable for me; I can't imagine what Okafor must be going through.

[ohara831]

I understand O'Hara, and I bet Okafor does too. But between the PA announcer and Vincent the games are becoming unwatchable for me; I can't imagine what Okafor must be going through.
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Agreed! I think he would find it very reieving to get some quality help on the front line. On the Thread about Trading for a Big, so interesting talk about Seattle and Wilcox. What do you think?

[Keetch]

I think I'd like to see them play Davidson more :) (or even "at all") and I'm happy that Hollins is back; though he looked very raw last night.

[ohara831]

Yeah. I honestly think either Hollins or Primoz has to go, most likely Primoz. Having 2 guys of such limited ability on the roster is just plain bad management. One as a back up is fine. Neither deserves to start.

I do like Jermareo. He does get in foul trouble, but so do all Rookies. I love his short range jumper and his agressiveness on Defense. He is a solid back up for sure.

[Muttley]

This quote from today's Charlotte Observer also suggests that some of his perimeter guys are questioning his authoritah.


Vincent had told his shooters they were taking too many long balls.

"But we're open!" Vincent recalled of his shooters' reply.

"There's a reason you're open," Vincent said. "


Wow. That's funny AND true. Good for Sammy.

[Dunk]

I gotta go with Coach on this. If you've lost 7 in a row and the players aren't working hard, you get in their fae and bust them at practice. They follow the rules. If you can't get their respect then you've lost them. That's how it gotta work.

I think after Miami when some of the players were out on the town and didn't show up (playing wise) for the game, soemthing had to be done.

[WarioVsMooChicken]

Yea, make the players earn their days off.

[MattD]

I gotta go with Coach on this. If you've lost 7 in a row and the players aren't working hard, you get in their fae and bust them at practice. They follow the rules. If you can't get their respect then you've lost them. That's how it gotta work.

I think after Miami when some of the players were out on the town and didn't show up (playing wise) for the game, soemthing had to be done.


call me wrong but I think busting players before a game is not the way to go; it doesnt make sense to make them feel it the next day when it counts the next day, when I played basketball we hated our coaches when the made us run tons of sprints and conditioning stuff the day before a game, it should be about execution, though that wasnt the nba

[dnbman]

I gotta go with Coach on this. If you've lost 7 in a row and the players aren't working hard, you get in their fae and bust them at practice. They follow the rules. If you can't get their respect then you've lost them. That's how it gotta work.

I think after Miami when some of the players were out on the town and didn't show up (playing wise) for the game, soemthing had to be done.


call me wrong but I think busting players before a game is not the way to go; it doesnt make sense to make them feel it the next day when it counts the next day, when I played basketball we hated our coaches when the made us run tons of sprints and conditioning stuff the day before a game, it should be about execution, though that wasnt the nba


I tend to agree.

I guess because of the type of person I am, I'm not inclined to follow a leader that I don't trust. Most of the guys we have have been successful at every level of the game, being leaders on their teams with great coaches around them. If you're that type of player, it must be tough to fully believe in what you think is a flawed system. I guess the coaching staff has to do whatever they can to make the players conform if there's going to be a team. But, if you're drowing, you do what you can to stay floating. When I see our team on the floor, I see a lot of kicking and paddling, just trying to keep their heads above water. I'm not sure they're paying much attention to how they're supposed to be swimming.

The biggest question is: should they?

[MattD]

I think your right, for a young franchise, I dont know how great of an idea it was to bring in an unproven coach, and I have no idea about his leadership ability... I think that putting someone like larry brown into our system would have been a much better (and expensive) choice. Think about it, he still makes the players work their ass off, but he knows whats hes doing, hes proven, hes smart, and if he can lead a team of messed up players with egos like the 76ers and hell i give him credit for trying to do it with the knicks, then who knows what he could do with the bobcats.

[dnbman]

I think your right, for a young franchise, I dont know how great of an idea it was to bring in an unproven coach, and I have no idea about his leadership ability... I think that putting someone like larry brown into our system would have been a much better (and expensive) choice. Think about it, he still makes the players work their ass off, but he knows whats hes doing, hes proven, hes smart, and if he can lead a team of messed up players with egos like the 76ers and hell i give him credit for trying to do it with the knicks, then who knows what he could do with the bobcats.


Mmmm... I'll disagree with you about Brown. He has a track record of not being able to do much with young players. He's more the guy you bring in to take a group of veterans to the next level. Finding a coach for a situation is a tough call, as we need both a great xs and os coach and a guy who works well with youngsters.

Coach K?

[Edrow]

Coach K could very well be the anti-Christ, so no.

Give Vincent time. He will either sink or swim.

-Edrow

[ohara831]

Coach K could very well be the anti-Christ, so no.

Give Vincent time. He will either sink or swim.

-Edrow
__________________________________________________ ____

We gotta leave our ACC rivalries and bias behind us. This is the NBA. Like Duke or not, Coach K gets the best out of his players. He has managed to get the NBA players to play for him during competition this summer. A great coach is a great coach, any way you slice it.

By the way, I still want to give Sam a chance. It's way to soon to discuss replacing him after only 19 games. Besides, it aint happening since he is MJ's guy and will have at least 2 full seasons at the helm, possibly 3.

[spectre]

Agreed on V's time Ohara. They have an example I would almost bet they'll follow in Sam Mitchell at Toronto...took him about 3 years.

Coach K turned down mega millions from the Lakers...no way he'd ever coach the Bobcats. Dean Smith coming out of retirement has better odds, and I'd put those at 0.

[Wallace15]

From what we've seen so far from Vincent, it appears he has no offensive strategy whatsoever and he's not doing a good job at motivating our players, but players really shouldn't be saying they know more than coach, 19 games through his FIRST NBA SEASON.

I've never seen our team take so many long jumpers. It's annoying to look at boxscores and see almost every game that we've taken 20+ 3's. Right now, the only player I want to see shooting 3's is Carroll. Maybe J-rich and Felts(on good shooting nights, which they haven't had many.)

CRASH AND J-RICH-DRIVE TO THE FREAKING BASKET AND STOP TAKING SO MANY LONG JUMPERS!
OKAFOR-DEMAND FOR THE DAMN BALL!(I read somewhere that we're 1-7 when he takes 9 shots or less.)

[spectre]

Actually JRich is shooting 0.43 from 3...and over .500 for the last 2 games. He should definitely be allowed to fire them, but he also needs to drive more and post up...which it seems he's starting to do a little more of lately.

One big thing that strikes me about V is he doesn't use the pieces he has but instead wishes for those he doesn't. A good coach will try everything to make the other team adjust to us vs. our adjusting to them. V doesn't do that. He wants to be "conventional" and is always looking to match the opposing team.

Shame really, because guys like Fabio are screaming mismatch.

[Edrow]

"We gotta leave our ACC rivalries and bias behind us. This is the NBA. Like Duke or not, Coach K gets the best out of his players. He has managed to get the NBA players to play for him during competition this summer. A great coach is a great coach, any way you slice it.

By the way, I still want to give Sam a chance. It's way to soon to discuss replacing him after only 19 games. Besides, it aint happening since he is MJ's guy and will have at least 2 full seasons at the helm, possibly 3."

Who cares. This is a message board. I'm a Tarheel and Bobcats fan, not the general manager of the franchise. Welcome to college basketball country, nice to meet you. Sue me for taking advantage of an easy angle at a Coach K low blow. So, on that note, Coach K could very well be the anti-Christ. :biggrin:

Anyways, let me reiterate the fact that Coach V has only a few games under his belt. I'm sure there is a method to his madness.

-Edrow

[bizzlecatz]

I'm trying to stay positive about SV, but after last night one has to wonder. What the hell is he thinking. Maybe the players are giving up on Vincent, because it seems as if he's given up on them, it works both ways.

It's getting depressing, and to think I payed for league pass to watch a lineup of: Primo, Hollins, Harrington, Mcginnis, and Anderson is killing me. While Mek, Crash, Felts, Hammer, Fabio, and JRich sit on the bench is not only bad basketball, but bad coaching at it's best.

I know we have a big hole in the post, but this is aweful.

Vincent gives up on the players too fast in game situations.

Felts has yet to run the point more than 20mins.

JRich and Crash can't feed off of one another.

Mek is our only low post option, but noone feeds him inside,so he can push the ball back back out.

Hammer is beginning to lose his groove.

Fabio finally wakes up, but still doesn't get much playing time.

This is not the team I looked forward to watching play ball this season, it's a wonder they have any fans at all.

I refuse to believe they have regressed this much doing the off season, so it has to be the coaching. I'm convinced.

They are not being utilized properly.

[MattD]

Im not ready to give up either, like everyone has said it takes time, but heres what gets me, its the way he meshes the players together... not very well, and also the way he has not yet taken any responsibility for the problems, maybe they "ran out of gas" because your making them practice way to hard before games day in and day out, fine for summer workouts but not an nba season

[ohara831]

I'm just not on the bash Sam V. bandwagon yet. Yes, he has made a couple mistakes along the way. He must carry some of the blame. But, we are not in the locker room. We do not know what is said behind closed doors, who may be goofing up certain plays and causing turnovers when the answer is not so obvious to the fan's eyes. There's just a lot I am sure we all do not know, so I caution patience. We will find out more when and if the team makes any moves, trades, buyouts, off season cuts or firings.

I think he is doing what he can with what he has available. We are down 2 players, and I know that they would not have made the biggest difference. But I see this more of a management issue than a Coach issue. Management has simply retained players, traded for players and drafted players that are not up to NBA quality starting players we expected or need. We just have not put a very good team together. We have a few nice pieces, but that is it. Sam V. did not make that call, upper management did. Again, Sam should take some of the blame, but he can only cook with the ingredients that the management buys him.

[Edrow]

I like the point from bizzle about the team's negative slope from last year. That is a pretty valid point, and one can only assume there is a wrench in the wheel somewhere.

Also, you're right ohara, we don't know what is said behind closed doors. There could be a more sinister problem that we don't know about. Hopefully we won't have a player mutiny on our hands.

I know it's early, but we need to start winning some games here. It's not going to get any easier for us down the road.

-Edrow

[spectre]

I know we've beaten it like a drum, but a BIG reason we finished the last season so well was Fabio.  V however only gives him scrub minutes.

What made me bring up the idea of adjusting to the other team vs. forcing them to adjust to us was the GSW/LAL game last night.  They were talking about Nellie and how he'll throw all sorts of weird lineups out there, trying to find an advantage.  As soon as one comes available (like the Lakers trying to play Crit on Azibuke) that player got the ball in position EVERY PLAY until the Lakers pulled him out.

Fabio is a mismatch waiting to happen, yet V refuses to utilize him.  Instead he'd rather play Primoz and get no offense.  He's making it harder on the players by not looking for this stuff.

Why?

[ohara831]

There is something strange about the Fabio situation. Earlier I thought it was all about his lack of Defense, but we have some pretty sorry defenders we are playing in front of him, so there must be more. I wonder if the mgmnt upstairs has told Sam to limit Fabio's time so he does not get injured as he may be a major piece of any trade we may make? That is all I can think of, b/c his Defense is not so bad as to justify losing his offense. Not the way we've been playing and losing. I know that kinda goes against our trying to audition him for a trade, but perhaps people saw enough last Season and know what he can do?

[spectre]

Would everyone agree that Bernie was a "player's coach"? I know he had very difficult practices, but it sure seemed that everyone just loved Bernie.

Maybe V is the opposite...and the guys are having a hard time adjusting to that?

[bizzlecatz]

I can tell there is a problem between the players and the coach, you can see it in their body lanuage. They are not responding to Vincent.

It seems as if they are going against him in a lot of ways, which is why I think Vincent plays McInnis alot. He does what he ask of him.

I don't think they would have won the Clipper game, if Coach Ford had not stepped in at halftime by saying we needed to work on our player rotations in the 2nd half.

They are respectful guys and will give coach V respect, but the confidence in him is gone, and with me also,with good reason.

I don't know if Bernie was a players coach or not, but Im' positive he would have this team that Vincent inherited playing like a playoff team.

[Muttley]

Bernie, despite his faults, had this group of young fellas playing out of their mind on a regular basis. Don't know how, and I don't know why V can't seem to pull it off.

[dav7z]

Bernie, despite his faults, had this group of young fellas playing out of their mind on a regular basis. Don't know how, and I don't know why V can't seem to pull it off.

Agreed this problem needs to be addrest quickly by management. Bernie or M.J.

[davcbow]

Some nights V seems like he knows what he is doing other nights he is questionable at best. I really dont want to say much about it yet because he is a rookie coach and only 20 games into the season so Im willing to let it go further and see what happens. I hope every body gets over what ever it is going on with every body and starts playing some motivated basketball real soon, I can take a loss but not due to bad play.... :g:

[TheBeagle]

Some nights V seems like he knows what he is doing other nights he is questionable at best. I really dont want to say much about it yet because he is a rookie coach and only 20 games into the season so Im willing to let it go further and see what happens. I hope every body gets over what ever it is going on with every body and starts playing some motivated basketball real soon, I can take a loss but not due to bad play.... :g:
I agree with that assessment, davcbow. It would be too easy to jump on Vincent right now. If you want to jump on anybody about this, jump on MJ for hiring him in the first place. We could have Ron Jeremy, errr Stan Van Gundy as our coach, and you should see the way his guys listen to him and respect him. My seats are in the area behind the visitors bench and he had his guys eating out of his hands. Everybody from Dwight, Nelson, Hedo, to bench players like Keyon Dooling were attentive and even joking around with him at times: but it was obvious they respected this guy all the way! It was really fun to watch the interactions between them.

As always, anytime this argument is brought up, I'll say that I didn't want Bernie to leave just yet. Especially if he is going to be replaced by a rookie coach. My reason for this is because I was afraid that the Bobcats I knew and loved wouldn't have that same scrappy play, and dogged style, which is, unfortunately, what has happened. It's not been nearly as fun watching the Cats this year as in years past.

I know Bernie and GW are tight, so hopefully GW is talking to him about any problems he sees going on with how Vincent is running the team, and if they are problems that can be corrected, then Bernie should talk to Vincent and give him some advice about how he can get this team to play like the Cats of old.

[dvdbumpus]

Let me ask this, who honestly has faith in what MJ does as boss?

[davcbow]

I dont know how to answer that yet because it hasnt been long enough yet. So far I give him a 50-50 or a C. I guess it could be worse. I dont think Jordan will stick around very long anyway, he will aventually buy his own team and be gone but until then what we think about his shot calling really dont matter because we cant do nothing about it any way.... :g:

[MattD]

yeah people hated him while he was in DC, I think people will hate him while hes in charlotte, though he did set washington up to clear out there bad contracts and be able to sign gilbert, something he rarely gets credit for

[ohara831]

Let me ask this, who honestly has faith in what MJ does as boss?
__________________________________________________ ___

Boy, I think giving him a C is generous. Right now, I give him a D+. The J-Rich trade has not panned out as we hoped. I am not sure about the Mohammad trade yet, will wait a few games to see how he is doing. But, he has failed to go afer anybody of significance who could be a real difference maker. But what he has done so far, I go D+. I am not not forgetting the resigning of Wallace and Carroll. That is why it is a D+ rather than a D- or F.

Simply put, he has lost my confidence. I want to have confidence in him, but he must do something positive to earn it back.

[MattD]

anyone notice mj working out with the team in practice today, I wonder whats coming with that, hmmmm...

[davcbow]

Hopefully he is teaching them how to fly through the air and be like Mike..... :biggrin:

[dav7z]

M.J don't like loosing at all . He's just to damn cmpetive. He's working out because hes trying to figure out the problem.If i was him i would be doing the same thing. Fans wanted him to spend money so he did on a player we all of us thought could be a star . I don't hear a lot of i told you sos. He resigned Wallace to a damn good contract. He's keeping his core toghter. Coach V wanted another big so M.J gets him one. Seems hes done what he could to put a good product on the floor. Hes not really made any moves we wouldn't have.

[davcbow]

M.J don't like loosing at all . He's just to damn cmpetive. He's working out because hes trying to figure out the problem.If i was him i would be doing the same thing. Fans wanted him to spend money so he did on a player we all of us thought could be a star . I don't hear a lot of i told you sos. He resigned Wallace to a damn good contract. He's keeping his core toghter. Coach V wanted another big so M.J gets him one. Seems hes done what he could to put a good product on the floor. Hes not really made any moves we wouldn't have.


Right now I feel he is doing what he can in order to help the team; but its like anything really its all a gamble, sometimes we win the gamble sometimes we lose. He is dealing with the deck of cards given to him and we can only do so much. The last 3 seasons we havent done that bad in the draft, could have been worse, could have been better, thats why I graded MJ at a C, now V I give him a C- or a D+ so far because of mistakes in line ups and situation calls. The team I give the same grade to due to missed free throws , turn overs, miss field goals, lack of defence, ect. Right now I feel we will all be here lottery night wondering what pick we will end up with, boy could we use the #1 pick, :biggrin:

[Muttley]

davcbow, we'd never be that lucky, even if we built up the Karma by not winning another game all year.

I also read that MJ was working out with the team. I think this will help their drive if nothing else. My worry is that it may cause the players to disrespect coach more if MJ underminds him at all. OR if MJ is there and works WITH Sammy to go over things and talks to players like JRich and Raymond with one-on-one things, then that should really help the players heed what the coach says. I really hope, and am 95% sure, that the practice session took the latter road.

[spectre]

Remember that small comment he made to Hammer...that ended up getting him a sweet long term contract. He brought in JRich, Vincent and signed the big deals to Crash & Hammer. MJ has a lot of power with these players and this can't be anything but good. I'm sure he was more into talking to the players on individual things vs. the overall team play, which is more V's realm.

Hopefully he's talking to V a little bit in private on that as well...

[Muttley]

I'm sure you're right spectre, I can't imagine it being anything but good. I'm sure he's talking to Vincent too, and I hope it's all good things.

[dav7z]

Agreed hes talking to coach V behind closed doors . And im sure all hes saying is not good . Hes suplyed the coach with the things hes needs to win including a big. Bernie won 33 last year with a lesser squad so im sure M.J is not happy.
As for the players im sure hes building thair sperits as he did Carroll last year .
Some one tell me how was such a scraping defencive team last year .To the worst defencive team in the league this year. Dame we have the same core players.
Any ideas why?

[MattD]

Heres something that caught my eye today, obviously coaches and players disagree with playing time and substitutions, but when ray got his 4th tonight, he held out his hand saying let me stay in, vincent subbed him, and he went to the end of the bench and shot a couple dirty looks

Also Jrich was just starting to heat up and made two or three baskets in a row (sick) and all the sudden Vincent subs him out... seriously? does he know his players? let him stay in until he starts to miss at least Vincent. I noticed that when Jrich was out, the jazz got the lead, when he came back in, his three spurred on the run to come back... I like Jason, he needs to be playing more in my opinion

[davcbow]

Like I said in another thread; if I were coach and I had a player that was hot I wouldnt replace him unless he asked to come out. Im sure V has his reasons but as to what that may be, I have no idea.... :g:

[MattD]

I mentioned it in the other thread, but here it is again, last night Vincent blamed our 4th quarter fall out on the players exhaustion... after the game gerald says he wasnt tired...

richardson says,
In a sense I do agree with it, in a sense I don't,'' said Richardson (28 points). "Not necessarily tired, but we just didn't have it" during the second half.

gerald says
Minutes don't bother me. I can run all day,'' said Wallace, who assembled a near-triple double of 23 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. "I can rest when I get home."

yep great relationship right there... we need a new coach

[Mustachio]

No no one was tired, no one was exhausted.

what happened in the second half is Sam Vincent played a 34 year old washed up point guard for about 30 more minutes than he should have ever played. I swear to god i cant take it anymore. when McInnis is in the game... we lose. He doesnt play defense, loses his man every possession, cant make a shot outside the arc, cant make a shot inside the arc. Cant make the good pass, and i get nervous anytime he gets pressure bringing the ball up. I have no idea what he brings as the starting point guard.

Ive had enough of it. If Jeff starts again i may just boo the entire time hes in the lineup. Its terrible and its not doing a damn thing to help Feltons development.

I still cant believe we lost that Bulls game. no way we should ever have lost that game. up by 10-12 most of the game and in crunch time... Sam puts in 1 and a half point guards, two shooting guards and a center. thats genius work Sam. im starting a "I HATE JEFF MCINNIS THREAD"

[cltblkhscoach]

Yeah, I think I was one of the few who actually liked Bernie last year because the players absolutely busted their ass for him. I remember how distraught the guys were last year after they lost Bernie's last game to NY. They cared about that man and wanted his respect. Vincent has run his damn mouth way too much and honestly some of these things should have been kept in house.

In saying that, his assistants are to blame as well. Isnt the reason Lee Rose was brought in to be an experienced voice of reason for Vincent so we wouldn't have problems like this? At this point I would not mind Vincent being given the ax and bring Bernie back on as the interim coach for the rest of the year. And I'm usually agains radical changes but this is starting to get ugly.

[davcbow]

I think almost all of Bobcatsplanet is feeling the same way, now to make sure management gets the message..... "We want a real coach!".... :g:

[TheBeagle]

Yeah, I think I was one of the few who actually liked Bernie last year because the players absolutely busted their ass for him. I remember how distraught the guys were last year after they lost Bernie's last game to NY. They cared about that man and wanted his respect. I was one of the few also who was no all too thrilled to see Bernie step down after last season, and mainly for the reason you gave above. I remember when he was considering not returning after season 2 I started to get apprehensive because he was a mentor/father to a lot of our guys, most notably GW. Now looking back in hindsight, my worst fears have been realized; a new coach that isn't any better at personnel moves and late-game scenarios, and is much worse at getting through to the guys. What I loved about Bernie is that if someone didn't communicate on a switch that lead to an open dunk/layup, he'd step right on the court, call TO, and chew ass, no matter what time of the game. Vincent just lets it happen 4 or 5 times in a row, rolls his eyes, crosses his arms, finally calls TO, then just gives the players a slow burn, without even chewing ass or anything.

Just like I wasn't ashamed to say I didn't like to see him go, I'm not ashamed to say I miss him :-\