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When it comes to coaching changes, NBA General Managers recycle enough to make Al Gore proud.
Larry Brown: introduced by Michael Jordan and the Charlotte Bobcats as their new head coach two days ago after a disastrous stint with the Knicks. This will be “Next Town Brown’s” 9th head coaching job in the NBA. Hopefully it will be his last.
Avery Johnson: canned after winning Coach of the Year in 2006. Owns a 23-24 mark in the playoffs. canned after winning Coach of the Year in 2006. Owns a 23-24 mark in the playoffs. He was most responsible for the Mavs collapse in the 2006 NBA Finals — choosing to double and triple team Shaq at every opportunity — daring Dwyane Wade to beat them. We all know how that turned out.
Mike D’Antoni: D’Antoni is reportedly on the hot seat after the Suns were eliminated by the Spurs 4-1 in the first round. This coming after he led Phoenix to four straight 50 win seasons and changed the status quo by masterminding the Suns run n’ gun attack. An attack that multiple teams have since tried to imitate.
D’Antoni’s critics point to his failure to develop his bench and the Suns deficiencies on defense. Mike deserves blame for his rotation decisions but the Suns simply do not have the personnel to be a good defensive team.
Bottom line: he shouldn’t be made the scapegoat for the disastrous trade that brought Shaq to the Valley of the Sun.
George Karl: Nuggets fans have been pointing fingers at George Karl all season. He has been blamed for the Nuggets defensive woes and their lack of discipline on and off the court.
I doubt a sideline of Phil Jackson, Red Auerbach, and the Pope could get through to Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, and J.R. Smith.
Vacancies
Chicago: Avery Johnson and Mike D’Antoni are rumored to be the frontrunners.
New York: Mark Jackson is the leading candidate.
Dallas: Sources say Rick Carlisle will be the first interviewee.
Should be vacancies
Cleveland: Mike Brown is an excellent defensive coach but the Cavs run a rudimentary offense. I think Jeff Van Gundy would be an excellent replacement. He’s a hard nosed defensive coach and he knows the X’s and O’s of the game.
Detroit: The Pistons have regressed since Saunders became the head coach.
Special thanks to Pat Riley for ending his despicable charade in Miami. Good riddance. We can only hope that Erik Spoelstra’s tenure doesn’t end in the same manner Stan Van Gundy’s did.
May 1st, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Nice article. How ’bout fanning the flames of the ole fire we are sitting around, sharing and spreading rumors?
Round pegs in round holes, square pegs in square holes…
Might not Mike D’Antoni be a great fit in Denver?
Coach and players passively interested in defense, some very impressive, high scoring options….
I’m not saying they’d win a title, but they might win a load of regular season games, get passed the lower seed in the first round and sell a lot of tickets in the process.
AND…
Speaking of Mike, Toronto may not be looking for a new coach “at this time,” but Jerry Colangelo (Toronto’s top executive) hired D’Antoni in Phoenix, and assembled that cast of running guns… Besides, Mitchell is a former coach of the year, so he’s up next to be fired, isn’t he?
I don’t think Kerr has the guts to fire D’Antoni, but I do think he’d accept D’Antoni’s resignation. If Mike comes available, I’m sure he’d be a hotter commodity than Avery Johnson.
May 2nd, 2008 at 5:29 pm
So my brother ran into Shaq on his lunch break right before the playoffs started (They were playing the Blazers in PHX). Shaq was in front of him in line at Subway. I think it is essential that you know that Shaq has footlong Meatball subs on gameday. D’Antoni was pushing for 5 dollar footlong, so he deserves as much of the blame as Kerr. I don’t believe he’s a legitimate scape goat though. It’s always the same with the Suns. They have their chances, but they cannot execute. This was evident in both Games 1 and 5. Marion’s typical playoff disappearing act certainly wouldn’t have made too much of a difference.
May 3rd, 2008 at 12:33 am
That story kicks ass, Dylan!!!
5 Dolla Diesel!!!!!