Coaches of the NBA

[MattD]

As I have been wondering around the NBA fan sites, the most common thing I see with a team that is frustrated with its situation, Charlotte, Cleveland, New Jersey, Denver, and others come to mind right away, all have huge threads on why there coach is the worst coach in the nba (behind Isaiah but thats a given). Just last year Philadelphia and Boston were ready to kill Mo Cheeks and Doc Rivers, but now they are running for coach of the year (best coach that is :wink:)

It is really easy to say, we arent performing because we dont have someone who knows how to run an offense or break a zone defense etc, etc. Our coach doesnt know how to utilize the screen to get so and so open.

Now, I am not denying Sam Vincent has done everything to show me he is a raging idiot. From his insanely dumb post game comments, to his want to tear your hair out lineups, he obviously needs some significant help.

But really, maybe we begin to look at our problems to quickly with the coach. I heard there have been something like 191 coaching changes since Sloan took over for the Jazz. Every coach in the nba cannot be an idiot, and as I watch other teams Greg Popivich talks to his players about what they ate for dinner during timeouts.

So whats my point? well in a way I have two. I want Vincent gone, but we should be careful how quickly we rush to judge our next coach, it is not an easy job, its way to easy to point the finger at the coach, as Denver, Cleveland, New Jersey, and we have done.

Second would be that from looking at the most successful NBA coaches, they have personal relationships with the players or they generate respect from their players in other ways. Sloan, and Popivich both get enormous amounts of respect from their players, and therefore have strong, disciplined teams. They get it in different ways, but just as Bernie showed us, respect = hustle=more wins. Great players help, but as Okafor has showed us, great players who dont care/are mad at their busted coach are useless.

Maybe you all sort of already knew this, but I guess my rant on how we assess the next coach is helping me figure it out. It almost seems as if coaching at the NBA level, the coach must know the game very well (well... Sam may be the exception) so its what he does with getting his players to run the system.

Our next coach should be one that gets respect from his experience and knowledge.

Then we cannot turn around and say, it was coach's fault. Our players will take the responsibility.

I found it funny, at first reading about Denver hating George Karl, a proven winner and a hard ass. But then again, as they fail to play defense, the look to blame the easiest person they can.

Just some thoughts on coaching, hope you bared with my rambles.

[ohara831]

Well said. I almost thought you were about to lobby for Sam getting another yr to try and prove himself.

[MattD]

I'm not that crazy

[dnbman]

I'm not that crazy


I completely get your point. And it may be that Sam Vincent would be a genius with a more standard team. But he was awful with what he have, and next year we will likely have a similar line up.

So, we either get rid of Vincent or half the team.

Which is easier?

[davcbow]

Get rid of the coach, I still think if Bernie would have coached this season we would have gotten to the playoffs.... :g:

[amour217]

The thread title made it seem like there was a 2008-2009 Coaches of the NBA calendar in the works...which would be HILARIOUS:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/amour217/CalendarSwim.jpg

[spectre]

Rumorville - Philly Daily News (http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/phil_jasner/20080411_Phil_Jasner__Coach_of_year_looks_to_be_lo ngshot_for_Sixers__Cheeks.html)


Multiple sources say that one team already has asked for permission to speak with Sixers executive VP Larry Brown. One of those sources says the team is in the Eastern Conference.

Funny thing is, at least for now all the teams in East have coaches.

God I hope that's us.

[Muttley]

Well, I see this as a great sign, Spectre. Think about which teams are the most likely to have a coach canned by next season: NYK and CHA. NY probably won't chance LB again with an already irritated fan base. That leaves us, right?

I guess you also have to throw Chicago into the mix since they currently have just an "interim" head coach.

Still, I like our chances.

And the earlier we address the Head Coach situation, the better I'm gonna feel about our success at addressing other team issues this summer.

[spectre]

Well, I see this as a great sign, Spectre.  Think about which teams are the most likely to have a coach canned by next season: NYK and CHA.  NY probably won't chance LB again with an already irritated fan base.  That leaves us, right?

I guess you also have to throw Chicago into the mix since they currently have just an "interim" head coach.

Still, I like our chances.


At first I was worried because of Memphis, but then I realized the article said EAST coast teams.  Pretty sure some "insider" Chicago reporters said Brown to Chicago ain't happening...hopefully that wasn't SAS.  I don't really see Paxson & Brown getting along anyway, as I think he's a pretty controlling GM isn't he?  He certainly wouldn't be able to rein Brown in like Jordan could.

That means it almost has to be us doesn't it?


And the earlier we address the Head Coach situation, the better I'm gonna feel about our success at addressing other team issues this summer.

Me too!

[Muttley]

That means it almost has to be us doesn't it?


Gotta Be!


Just went through the Eastern teams that I know could be looking into Brown: Milwaukee, New Jersey and possibly Atlanta could all be getting rid of their coach.

Milwaukee - I have no idea, but last I heard Krystowiak was in hot water.
New Jersey - Frank's not the problem there and they shouldn't get rid of him.
Atlanta - Isn't Woodson on thin ice there? Still, with them in the playoffs he's probably safe. I think NJ's in the same situation. Also, I just don't see Larry Brown in Atlanta.


So... it's gotta be us, right? It's gotta be.

[ziggy]

The thread title made it seem like there was a 2008-2009 Coaches of the NBA calendar in the works...which would be HILARIOUS:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a166/amour217/CalendarSwim.jpg

Nice rack Sam :biggrin:

[Muttley]

Nice rack Sam :biggrin:


With that body, I'd be all for keeping Sammy in the organization just not at coach. We could create a new position for him with the title Head of Shakin'-that-thang Relations.

He'd probably need to wear a mask, though.

[spectre]

Crap, forgot about Milwaukee.  Still, their owner is mega controlling...so I don't know that it'd work there either.  You'd also think that they'd want to bring in the GM first.

IMO the playoffs will save Woodson's job (they are in aren't they?). Frank? Don't know...Kidd's distractions didn't help them out a lot, but I guess you could throw them in the mix too.

[Mustachio]

i agree, i hate when people just blame the coach. but in our situation i think its clear. the main thing that tells me he isnt up to standard is this.

Bernie Bickerstaff had less talent and more wins.! Bernie freakin Bickerstaff... a far cry from coaching greatness.

we had way way too much locker room turmoil this year to not at least consider that the coach was the problem.

[spectre]

Just found this on the Bucks' board:


Things are a bit slow around here, just heard Rick Majerus on homer and he brought up a couple points of interest on topics we have discussed.

Homer said he wanted Larry Brown and thought it might work if you bring King in with him as the GM, Majerus shot that down extremely quickly, basically said Brown being there a year or 2 does nothing for Bogut or Yi.

The other thing Majerus said I found interesting was that he would go after Conley or Lowry from Memphis, no matter what it took.....believes the Bucks will be nothing until they get a good PG. This was assuming they don't win the lottery and get Derrik Rose, who Majerus thought was MUCH better than Deron Williams.

I bring this up because Majerus is a central figure in Kohl's circle.

Majerus on Homer - RealGM (http://www.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=779277)

Something anyway.

[Muttley]

If Rick Mujeras really has that much influence over Herb Kohl, then that's a good thing to hear. ...who knows?

In other news, there's another possible Larry Brown contender entering the ring in Miami.
http://www.miamiherald.com/594/story/490061.html

Think Pat's ready to step down? We've heard this kind of talk before, obviously, and he's still "coaching" in Miami.

[TheBeagle]

Rumorville - Philly Daily News (http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/phil_jasner/20080411_Phil_Jasner__Coach_of_year_looks_to_be_lo ngshot_for_Sixers__Cheeks.html)


Multiple sources say that one team already has asked for permission to speak with Sixers executive VP Larry Brown. One of those sources says the team is in the Eastern Conference.

Funny thing is, at least for now all the teams in East have coaches.

God I hope that's us.
Ha! The Daily News is where my dad's ex-Army bud works, but Jasner isn't the guy. I emailed him just now to see if it's us or not....

[TheBeagle]

Hmmmm. This could be a good sign since it looks like the Bucks have their eyes on Carlisle as coach.....

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3341664

[spectre]

That actually brings me down a little. It'd only make sense for the Bucks to request an audience with Brown, esp. since the owner wants an experienced coach. Carlisle will be pursued by Chicago too so they would probably want all the options.

[TheBeagle]

I've been told by my source that he heard it was the Knicks, but that there are some things going on that make him think it was the Bobcats in actuality. Says he'll know more shortly....

[ammofan]

I've been told by my source that he heard it was the Knicks, but that there are some things going on that make him think it was the Bobcats in actuality. Says he'll know more shortly....


Who are your sources??

[CMc$]

I doubt it was us looking at Larry Brown. This organization seems to want to shy away from big time names and that would be a big time name.

Plus, the Bucks have been publicly aggressive in saying "hey, we are about to change this place up". I wouldn't be surprised to see them with a new gm, new coach, etc.

I'm personally not sure how Brown would go down. As this thread stated in the beginning, the good NBA coaches really excel because they command authority, respect, and they try to relate to their players on a personal level and not just "hey, listen to me idiot, i'm the coach". I almost think that LB and the 'Cats might butt heads just like Vincent this year. Unless, of course, they are just star-struck or if Vincent was just that much of an A-hole to them.

[bizzlecatz]

I think the guys would be happy just to have a coach, who has a clue, after all, they want to win just as much as any other team.LB would have notice Dudley talent a long time ago. He would make Mek our defensive anchor in the paint. he will utilize Crash's slashing, and felts penetrating abilities to benefit the team.Most importantly he will preach defense. The players will respect his authority, because he know what he is doing. Vincent lost their respect because he is clueless more than anything else.

Larry Brown is the perfect coach for this young team.

Make it happen Top Cat Bob, I don't have faith in Michael Jordan to get it done. His ego is bigger then this game.

[TheBeagle]

I've been told by my source that he heard it was the Knicks, but that there are some things going on that make him think it was the Bobcats in actuality. Says he'll know more shortly....


Who are your sources??
Source. Like I've mentioned in previous posts, my dad's ex-Army buddy is a sportswriter/radio guy in Philadelphia and has been for close to 30 years. While he was in the area covering the NCAA tourney in Charlotte, he stayed a night at my dad's house, and we talked about all kinds of stuff, including Larry Brown (he covered the Sixers home games while Brown was coach, so he got to know him pretty good.)

I'd rather not say his name, though I'm sure he wouldn't care, but still, because he's a family friend, I'd rather not. He writes for the Philadelphia Daily News. He's one of the good guys in the media, and while he can't know exactly what is going on since he's not in any boardrooms or team meetings, I trust his impressions/opinions and his networking skills so that what he says is pretty much gospel.

So, while the buzz is that it was the Knicks that have contacted him (and maybe Donnie Walsh has talked to him since becoming GM, which wouldn't be a shock), he thinks it is most likely the 'Cats.

[x2pacalypse]

that wouldn't make sense for the knicks to get larry brown again, and i don't think he'd even want to go back to that shithole

[timang]

this might be a long shot but if ever avery johnson gets out of dallas because of their team's present performance and his thing w/ the owner.... would you want him here? just a thought

[Alex]

Avery Johnson is a terrible coach with an excellent roster. No thanks.