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 )

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....

[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:

[spectre]

Rumorville - Philly Daily News

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.