Finally someone in the Philadelphia media with access to Stefanski asked him about Eddie Jordan’s job security.
Tom Moore asked if Eddie Jordan’s job could be in jeopardy.
Stefanski’s response:
“No. Like I said, from top to bottom, we all have to get better. A win would help tremendously.” ~ Ed “I am also clueless” Stefanski
I’ll get to some comments on the quote in a second.
First I want to know what took so long?
Byron Scott got fired 9 games in with a 3-6 record, his track record as a coach dwarfs Eddie Jordan’s, AND the best player on that team didn’t want him to go.
Hell Maurice Cheeks got canned with a 9-14 record, and he has a better win/loss record than Eddie Jordan AND is a life-long Sixer.
It seems as if the Philly media has been paid off to ignore and distract fans from the real issues this team faces.
That question and piece comes a day or two after I wrote this comment directed at Tom and all media members regarding the lack of pressure being put on Sixers’ management for answers during one of the worst runs by the team in recent memory. And it hasn’t been just me.
I know Brian over at the Depressed Fan has been a bit disturbed by the lack of pointed coverage locally as well. Case in point:
As the Sixers season spirals down the tubes, the team is doing everything it can to keep the focus off the court. Today’s example, a profile written by Phil Jasner about the Sixers new VP of Marketing. I guess you have to hand it to the Sixers PR department for being able to sell a guy who’s been working the NBA beat for 28 years on a 1,200-word puff piece in the midst of what is possibly the worst stretch of games we’ve seen out of this team in 15 years. Kudos, I guess. ~ Brian, Depressed Fan
Pitiful.
So Eddie Jordan’s Job is Safe, Huh?
I gotta hope Stefanski’s response was bullshit. That he doesn’t want to have that become the topic of discussion amongst the major media people since they are ignoring it on their own now. But if it’s not…
Why exactly is his job safe after he has lost 11 games in a row with a roster that, while not great, is not at all that bad? Where are the follow-up questions?
Stefanski gave a perfect lead-in to a good one:
…A win would help tremendously.
And if a win doesn’t come? The team will have matched their longest losing streak since the 2006-2007 season at 12. The team is only 3 games out of the basement in the entire league.
More questions:
- At what point is his job no longer safe?
- Are you committed to Eddie Jordan even if results don’t change at least for THIS season?
- Would that be a basketball decision or a money decision?
- Was Andre Miller’s impact that great that losing him causes a fall of this magnitude? (trap question)
- You return a full team, a healthy Elton Brand, an improved Speights and Williams and you let Miller walk. The biggest change to this team is the head coach and everything he brings. If the 11 games in a row isn’t enough, what does that say about his performance with your roster if you don’t consider the loss of Andre Miller’s that great?
- What were the expectations coming into this season? Playoffs?
- His track record is that of an offensive coach. That shows greatly in how he runs the team. But defense is the biggest problem, and he has no track record besides blaming the players for the lack of performance on that end. How do you see things getting better? Is it just on the players or is Jordan equally accountable?
- Would you draft John Wall even with Lou and Jrue on the roster? HAHA
Look, I am not naive. I know Stefanski would do the Electric Slide around tough, direct questions like that. But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t at least be asked.
One just has to wonder what are the Sixers thinking right now? What is the plan to not only right the ship now but long-term as well?
No one really knows; problem is no one is asking either.
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Mr. Tom Moore, if you’re reading - as a huge Sixers fan who can barely stomach what the coach is doing to the team, thanks for asking about Eddie Jordan’s job security, it’s a start to getting some sort of change with the coaching. I actually e-mailed Henry Abbott of TrueHoop and asked him to please please please ask someone, anyone, at ESPN to start discussing whether or not Eddie Jordan should be fired because of this team’s horrible defense, and I asked him to look at the article you wrote about their 3-point defense.
Another thing – a while back, there was an article in the New York times about the pick and roll. In addition to the usual good writing, there’s some interesting stuff in there, like how Jameer Nelson ranks #1 in creating points of the pick and roll, and how Utah actually doesn’t run it very often. They even quote Eddie Jordan at the end of the article.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/sports/basketball/20pick.html
Quick hypothetical question:
Say ES fires EJ and trades away Brand… Does he warrant a second chance to start over?
Along the same lines, I’m not sure ES has the power to fire Jordan. I think his comments (must improve from the top on down) may hint that his job is as much on the line as the new coach. I’m as hard on Jordan as anyone, but fact is that its his 1st season here.
The other fired coaches you listed all had several years coaching with their team before the decline. You’d figure the person most likely to take the fall for their sudden decline would be someone who has been here for a few years and is directly responsible for the team and the coach… Ed Stefanski.
IMO its not that big of a surprise that the team has fallen off of a cliff. They are a young, inexperienced team When you lose your vet leader and PG and try and drastically change systems under a new coach with a track record of averaging 25 wins in his 1st year coaching a new team…
Excellent questions, outside of Tom Moore, I’ve barely even seen a beat writer broach the subject of the horrible defense, Jordan’s responsibility for it, or Jordan’s job security. This dog and pony show the team is putting on with the A.I. signing couldn’t be working better for them at the moment.
It does start with the top on down. It starts with Ed Snider. The guy clearly doesn’t give a crap about basketball. I remember seeing his interview on DNL on Monday(the one where Rich Hoffman was laying into him over Stevens being fired) and at the end of the interview Barkann asked him if he was going to watch the game and Snider’s response was something along the lines of, I will watch the first couple minutes then go up to the sweet and watch his beloved Flyers.
Now I also love the Flyers and seeing how well they are doing, and with having traded away this years first round pick, there is not a single positive to be taken from what is shaping up to be a miserable year. All in all I think Ed Snider needs to either bring someone else in to run these franchises, either separately, one for the Sixers and one for the Flyers, or one guy to handle both. Either way, they need a new fresh perspective in there. Pat Croce was the best thing to ever happen to the Sixers and I miss him terribly. He may not have been the greatest basketball mind ever but he brought an enthusiasm to the Sixers that few ever have, and certainly no one has since he left.
With the Sixers I think they really do need to start over, get rid of Stefanski, get rid of Jordan, trade away Brand, even if its for pennies on the dollar, at least get out from under the awful contract. He isn’t winning us any games this year, he is basically useless. And I like Brand, I do. But his being here hurts the franchise more than his play helps the team.
I don’t condone what the Knicks have done over the last few years, basically tanking multiple seasons just for cap space but the Sixers might want to consider trying to position themselves to build for the future. You can say that did do that and thus why they had the money for Brand and maybe thats true. But how long does a failed experiment have to be tested before you pull the plug and start over?
The saddest part is, I don’t know if this team has anyone worth building a team around? I love Thad but I really don’t see him ever being that guy, same with Lou. Too early to tell on Jrue and as for Iggy, no thank you. He is just an overpaid semi star who thinks he is bigger than he really is.
Ed R., agree with most of what you said, but the Sixers could be in much better shape than the Knicks. the Sixers lack a franchise star, but they do have a solid nucleus of developing complementary pieces to put next to a star. The Sixers have gotten great value with mid 1st round picks.
If the Sixers really could get out from under Brands Philly Max contract, they would be well positioned to build a winner from 2011 forward. Sure, they would still need to add the centerpiece- but with financial flexibility and lots of tradebale young talent they would be in position to get a star. Right now Brand’s contract is the only stumbling block.
They other way out would be to hit a homerun in this years draft. Then you could keep the rest of the line-up intact and build a winner slowly over the next 3-4 years, even without unloading Brand.
Most top teams have 1 young player and a core of 38-34 year old vets. The sixers current 19-24 year old core could be a potent complementary cast in 3-4 years if they can somehow manage to acquire a front line star to lead them.
The sixers are in a sad state right now. Who other than Stefanski thought Jordon was a good hire? Not me, thats for sure. That being said, I would have never imagined it being this bad. This team has some talent, but it appears that there is no defensive system in place at all! The fact that Jordan’s job is safe is a disgrace. If this was happening to the Flyers, Ed Snyder would have stepped in about 2 weeks ago and made a change. At this point it is time to start the John Wall sweepstakes!
Should read: a core of 28-34 year old vets…
Jrue/Thad/Speights/Lou/Iguodala in 3 years: 22/24/25/26/28
You are right TK, the team does have some good young players, I think they are all complimentary pieces, though what little I saw from Speights before he got hurt showed that he can be a pretty solid force inside. I don’t think he is a big dominating force like a Shaq or a Howard but I bet he can be one of the top 5 best centers in the league. I agree that Brand’s contract is killing them. Sammy will be gone soon and we won’t have to worry about that garbage contract.
Here is a question, just hypothetically. If the Sixers were to land the number 1 pick, would they draft John Wall? I mean, wouldn’t you have to and then at the least trade him for other pieces? With Jrue already entrenched as supposedly the PG of the future then what do you do? Jrue needs the ball in his hands to be successful, Wall does not. So you could put Wall at the 2, Iggy at the 3, Thad at 4 and Speights at the 5 which would be good but then what of Lou? That would be my biggest question. Or concern.
a. Spights looks to be a top level scorer. He also needs a big time star to push him and open things up for him so he reaches his potential. The John Wall talk is really premature… but something like Wall/Speights could really be devastating. But Speights does not strike me as a take cgharge type star who will get the most out of himself and teammates (like Howard or Shaq.) More a guy who could blossom next to an elite guard.
b. With the ages of the Sixers core pieces fit is a secondary concern. Those pieces will only become more valuable as they tap into their potential by age 2405. You can always move any redundant or poorly fitting piece down the road as part of a final push to be an elite team.
For the same reason, I see no reason to move Thad jsut becasue he might not fit next to Iguodala. They team is too far from contending to worry about choosing fit over talent. Also, Nothing to say Jrue and Wall could not become the next great backcourt if they improve their shooting. Defensively, they could be a dominant duo. And if Thad evolves into a 40% 3 pt threat it could really work.
tk76, I agree with your comments. I love the core of this team, but the need that one superstar player. Iggy can not be the best player on your team. If Jrue develops into the player I think he will be, I think the sixers have some potential. I like Jrue/Thad or Iggy/Speights at your 1,3, and 4 positions. They need a true shooting guard and like all teams a legit center. Lou coming off the bench would provide instant offense. It sounds so easy, but as we all know the NBA is not like any other league. It is just so hard to get to the elite level. If you don’t get lucky in the draft you can be stuck in pergatory for a long time.
TK76 - I don’t think anything is premature when your home teams has dropped 11 straight. At this point people are just looking for something positive to talk about.
Ed. R. – I don’t think so.
Wall is NOT a two guard by any stretch of the imagination. And he DOES need the ball in his hands to maximize his ability. He also isn’t a reliable perimeter shooter at the moment either. His FG% (56.2% is astronomical to start the season but that’s a product of his ability in transition and getting the basket and finishing in the half court more than his outside touch (35% from three).
I think he will improve as a shooter but he isn’t pure in that aspect of his game as he is handling, driving and passing.
I think you COULD and SHOULD play both guys (Jrue and Wall) for stretches of games but I would not trot that line-up there as my starters or for the majority of the minutes they play.
I think you trade Lou if you get Wall. I don’t think you can win with a guard trio who all thrive doing the same thing (penetrating). I would love the contrast between Wall and Jrue. Start Wall have Jrue as a great back-up point guard who can also play off the ball for stretches defensively.
I think we are hoping Thad develops into a reliable perimeter and three point shooter. He might. I rather bring in a long-term answer to the question than hoping though.
Asked this at depressedfan:
I hear Mo, Frank and Scott as examples of coaches who got the ax after a bad start. But none of those guys were in their 1st season with a team.
Can someone provide examples of coaches who got fired early on during their first year with a team?
If you can get Wall then it doesn’t matter what you do with Jrue or even Lou for that matter. Wall is far and away a better player than either of them and barring injury is a franchise point guard. If you could draft him then try and trade Jrue for a shooting guard or package Jrue and Iggy (or Thad) and try to pick up another pick in this year’s draft.
Fair question. No one is coming to mind right now, but Jim O’Brien was fired after one year here.
Off the top my head: Randy Ayers – 21-31 start, fired. Chris Ford took over for the remainder of the season.
OH AND LOOK Randy Ayers is back on our bench for no good reason.
Eddie Jordan will be lucky if the team is 21-31 at the rate he is going.
Found a past Sixer example:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1993.html
Doug Moe was fired in his 1st season after getting out to a 19.37 start with a team who could not defend and was a poor fit for a high powered offensive system. Lynam was the GM and replaced Moe with Mad Dog Carter.
the next GM was Lucas (coach/GM) followed by Greenberg. BTW, found this recent Grenberg quote (from his brither Seth about Brad:)
“He was hired as the 76ers’ general manager, where he drafted Allen Iverson, but he was fired after a year.
“You know why he was fired?” Seth says, the acid still dripping in his voice. “Because Pat Croce (the former president of the 76ers) is an idiot. I’m the bad Greenberg. Brad wouldn’t say it, but I will. Pat Croce is an egomaniac. He wouldn’t stick to the plan.”"
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/basketball/college/article985211.ece
Roy Ruben, 1973: Fired after a 4-47 start.
Yes, Ayers. He took a 48 win team 2 years removed from the finals and “led” them to a 21-31 start. That was the beginning of the end for AI.
Ayers was under much more pressure to succeed given the Sixers where a high profile winner before he took over. probably Doug Moe is closer to the current situation.
Unless this team loses 20 in a row, Jordan will get a pass for this year due to him installing his new garbage system and the injuries to Lou and Speights.
20 in a row I don’t know. I think 15 in a row is likely though. Next four games
I think all those are losses, with the GSW game as the only winnable contest.
15 in a row is certainly more than a enough to warrant someone to be fired. Right?
I thought both Houston and Boston’s lead assistants would have been good picks as head coach.
Well I would think it is enough to be fired but again, firing Eddie is an indictment of Ed as well. Not sure ES wants to make that leap yet.
I wanted Tom Thibodeau so badly but Ed wanted his guy. Even if his guy is absolute garbage.
Ed R. – I think you are losing sight of what is right in front of you.
Losing 15 games in a row is the biggest indictment of Ed Stefanski there is. I don’t think there is any leaping going on there. With this roster and the schedule they’ve played Eddie Jordan should fire himself if (read: when) they reach 15 straight losses.
Firing the coach pales in comparison to a losing streak of that magnitude. ESPECIALLY if the team actually starts to play better and wins a bit after the firing.
I don’t disagree with you, but who is going to fire Stefanski? Ed Snider? The guy barely pays attention. I don’t know how much you follow the Flyers, but I do, a lot and if it were not for Bobby Clarke stepping down on his own he would still be the GM of that team. And that’s the one team Snider does care about.
I am not saying either of them deserve to be here but I don’t see Stefanski firing Jordan until someone puts pressure on Stefanski, and I am not sure that has happened yet.
I imagine things would be different had Snider not blocked Dr’s J’s group from buying the Sixers. And it was not out of some love of basketball.
Ed R. – I actually think Snider is just a figure head and Peter Luukko the COO runs the show.
He was involved in all the coaching interviews as well as the Allen Iverson get together and of anyone besides Stefanski he is the guy you see talking about the team in any capacity. I mean I haven’t even seen a Tony Dileo quote this season and he is Stefanski’s right hand man.
I’ll be honest I am not really that up with exactly what Luukko’s role is with the Sixers. I know what it is with the Flyers, or rather, what it isn’t. You are right, outside of the interview Snider did this past Monday on DNL, Luukko is the only other person not named Ed to speak about the Sixers in any form or fashion.
I have no idea why Snider would block any sale of the Sixers.
They have been depreciating in value the last 5 years and annually are a middle of the pack franchise. On top that this city will never even mildly support a losing or average basketball team like other cities will (think New York, Chicago, Detroit). So that means they can’t charge high ticket prices and even at dirt cheap prices people still won’t show unless they are a Eastern Conference title contender.
We need to get some people in here that have a clue and we need to get lucky on the player front.
I might be misremembering, but I think ownership of the arena and parking/concession revenues were points of contention.
I’m surprised the question was asked, because I thought the answer was obvious.
Eddie Jordan was Stefanski’s pick. Jordan is Stefanski’s friend from their time with the Nets. If Jordan is fired, it’s because someone at Comcast Spectacor fires both Jordan and Stefanski.
There were coaches out there with major bona fides that the Sixers didn’t even <i>talk</i> to. I don’t need to go through the list, we already know who was out there. The point is, Stefanski didn’t do his due diligence – it was a poorly held secret that Jordan was the top choice, and he was hired rather quickly.
Does Jordan have job security? As much security as Stefanski. Personally, I think they’re both going to be fired by the All-Star break if there isn’t a turn around OR Brand is traded and he thrives wherever he goes.
Comcast is saving 4M this year with EJ (since he’s still on the books with the Wizards.) That’s a major financial reason NOT to fire him. Of course, how much more would it cost them to have DiLeo take back over.
Dannie, you and everybody else around here knows that EJ is a major problem with our team right now.
But I’m curious. If you had to put a number on it… how many wins would you say EJ has cost them this season? It’s hard to say exactly how many, but I would say that with TT (I can’t spell his name), we would probably be right around .500. Keeping in mind that we still have had key injuries and a new PG. I’d say we would still be frustrating to watch, but we would be in the playoff picture. Certainly not as bad as what we are now.
Make no mistake, the major problem with the Sixers is the “talent” that has been assembled (on account of King/Dileo/Witte/Lynam/Nash/Ford/Hill/Stefanski, not Jordan). Many of team’s players are overrated. We’re talkin’ well-played basketball, not a well-run track meet. Whom among the 76ers roster is a truly poised and intelligent player?
Guest – 5-7 wins.
Talent is the franchise problem. Right now, today for the next game the coach is the biggest problem. He isn’t getting the most out of the talent on the roster.
Not to say if he did they would at all be a contender but they would be better than they are. That’s all the coaches job is, make the most of what players he has. Give Jordan more talent and the players will win some more games despite him. That isn’t a good thing to think regarding the coach. Jordan has done nothing to maximize what this team could be doing or how this team should be playing to give them the best chance to win. That is the biggest problem.
The roster needs upgrades no doubt about it if they want to compete for a championship. But 5 wins and 17 losses with a team missing only one player from a year ago speaks largely to the coach.
Agree, the 5-17 is a reflection of coaching effort to date, but with the seriously ragtag bunch (yes, they stink) that he’s largely inherited, I’m inclined to give him more time before calling for his neck. He should trash the Princeton though and run a pro offense. I actually appreciate his more direct answers as opposed to the ever dancing and mealymouthed, well-liked Cheeks.
jjg I’ve been calling out this organization every 2 or 3 posts I make. Why in the world do they continue to keep these guys hiring, coaching and scouting talent is utterly ridiculous. Someone has pictures on somebody and they are nasty! Poor player talent evaluation, poor coach evaluation, poor court execution, poor decision making, poor fundamental ball players. An offense that seems to focus on jump shooting but lack jump shot makers. How utterly ridiculous.
We should have hired Doug Collins….anybody…ANYBODY!!!….is better than Eddie Jordan. The “Princeton Offense?”…what is that? I dont remember Princeton basketball dominating the NCAA. Was it that for a few year that Princeton dominated the Ivy League? Oh yeah! That’s what we need! A college offense for an NBA team…has that ever worked?