It’s been over two weeks since the Sixers started their head coaching search. The result: two interviews, a few candidates self selecting themselves out and some rumors of upcoming interviews.
Previously I had been keeping tabs on all the rumors and interviews on my massive Sixers head coaching resource, but that started to get too messy.
This post will be dedicated to keep track of all that going forward – and a poll!
Officially Interviewed
Doug Collins on 5/1/10 – Stefanski meet with Doug Collins about the our coaching position and apparently Collins interest level is genuine…
“The Sixers hold a special place in my heart. I was part of a rebuilding program there and eventually went to the Finals with them. The idea of again being part of a rebuilding program there is intriguing.” ~ Doug Collins
Avery Johnson on 5/3/10 – Is it just due diligence or would they actually hire Johnson?
Sam Mitchell on 5/9/10 – Interview with Dei Lynam
Bill Laimbeer on 5/9/10 - Seriously, Stefanski? Laimbeer? He is expected to be interviewed tomorrow. Everyone knows him from his days as the baddest of the “bad boys” as a player. He lead the Detroit Shock (WNBA) to two championships and was an assistant to Kurt Rambis in Minnesota last year. He’s been pretty vocal about wanting to become an NBA head coach and started his quest to that end last year.
Dan Majerle - From completely off the radar to directly on it, “Thunder” Dan is being targeted by the Sixers. They have asked for permission to talk with him and that could take place after the game 4 of the Suns/Spurs playoff series. His coaching experience? 2 years as an assistant with the Suns. Prior to that he was in the Suns broadcast booth.
Monty Williams – Ex-Sixer and current Portland Trailblazer assistant is rumored to be getting an interview as early as Monday the 10th. Why, I don’t know.
Elston Turner – The Houston Rockets assistant and long time side man for Rick Adelman. He has a similar story as Thibodeau in that he is well regarded as an assistant with a lot of experience but has interviewed for many head coaching jobs but has yet to land one.
Rumored To Be on The Interview Waiting List
Dwayne Casey – There isn’t any rush to interview him again since they met with him twice last year, but he is also on the list.
Tom Thibodeau – Danny Ainge has given teams permission to interview Thibodeau for coaching openings during the Celtics playoff run.
- Jeff Van Gundy’s endorsement of Thibodeau
- Ass backwards reason why Thibodeau hasn’t gotten a head coaching job yet
Mike Budenholzer – 3 seasons as the lead assistant under Greg Popovich, 14 years as an assistant and 16 total years with the Spurs. hired directly by Popovich, do I need to say anymore?
- Case made for Budenholzer as the King’s coach last year before they hired Paul Westphal
Mike Fratello – He apparently wants to get back in coaching and will be interviewing for the Hornets job. He has also been rumored in connection with the Sixers as well. I actually think they will interview him if the more seasoned coaching start opting out.
Off the List
Mark Jackson has declined the opportunity to interview with the Sixers. Good! I didn’t want him anyway. I don’t understand why he thinks he can just sit around and just become a head coach without first going through the assistant ranks. Just because you were a player doesn’t make you qualified to be a coach.
Byron Scott reportedly will not be interviewed and is not a candidate for the head coaching job. ~ Fagan
Jeff Van Gundy told Stefanski that he was not interested in returning to coaching at the moment. But if he were interested in coaching again, he would be intrigued by the Sixers’ talent base. Really?
Of the “real” coaching candidates for the Sixers job, who do you want?
Note: You can vote up to 3 times. The purpose of that ability is I might add more candidates as they emerge and you can essentially pick your top 3.
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If they could land Thibodeau, it would certainly be the best case scenario. They have to go with an unknown. I want someone who has been an assistant on succesful teams. I don’t know anything about the guy behind Popovich in San Antonio, but I would sign him up to.
Success breeds success.
No one with experience in their right mind would consider taking the Sixer’s job. I think they’ll be bad next year and worse the year after. Stefanski, for his own sake, has to hire an unknown, so he has an explanation to his next employer why things didn’t work with his SECOND hiring in Philly.
So far for me Thibodeau is the right guy for the job. This team needs a head strong leader with intensity, a defensive focus and an ability to develop players. By all accounts TT has those traits to go along with some strong bench experience.
I agree with Dannie, plus Avery will probably go to New Orleans especially since he’s a native, loves Chris Paul, just the best fit. I’m fine with TT, Casey or Budenholzer. We need someone new and fresh.
One of the worst problems in the whole Eddie Jordan season, was that none of the players had any respect for him.
A seasoned coach such as Avery Johnson or Doug Collins would certainly demand and receive that respect.
However, my top choice has been TT from the start… and I’ll stick with that decision… the way he and Doc Rivers have that team playing defense right now is pretty amazing. I know they’ve been great defensively for some time now, but nobody seriously thought they could turn the heat up and be a contender for the playoffs (kinda funny hearing all the experts call them slow and old, and now they are in great position to upset the Cavs).
My number 1 hope in going into an era with TT, or another new/unexperienced head coach… is that these players (who seem quite arrogant at times) would respect and buy into everything that the coach brings to the table.
I have no idea where all the Avery Johnson support comes from. What has he done? Nothing. He got bounced out of playoffs in the first round as the top seed by the 8th seed Warriors in 6 games. Holding the Warriors under 100 pts only 2 time in the series, barely once. The warriors scored 109 + in 3 games. That screams of lousy coaching to me, no matter how offensive minded the other team is. You have to be able to adjust and stop other teams to win, Dallas was 6th in D efficiency that year as well. He says things as wild as EJ and seems to me to have the personality of an ass. I want no part of that guy, I hope, just hope, that he takes the NO job.
TT.
My favorite part of watching C’s games is seeing TT up out of the chair screaming defensive assignments at the top of his lungs.
Guest – He would have their respect. People around the league know who’s who. The team knew coming in that EJ was an ass, and knew from previous accounts from his players that he didnt have a clue, the same way I knew and most other fans knew. That’s why they tuned him out, which I dont excuse, but it is what it is. People around the league know TT is a demanding defensive genius. The four people who matter most on this team right now all want to play defense and I think they would embrace and respect someone who values that more than anything.
Van Gundy praised Thebodeax!s work with the Houston bigs and that quality should move him up the ranks on E.S.!S list.
Dannie, in an unrelated note, I watched J.Vesely on N.B.A. t.v. today in the euroleague semifinal and was intrigued. He guarded Childress most of the game and kept him in front of him and made some nice passes. He actually played pretty physically and can run the floor well.
I will be curious to see who has the better career out of he and Aminu, two athletic combo forwards that fit our running style.
Who are the 4 who want to play defense? As defense is largely about WANT TO, don’t tell me Iguodala, Dalembert, Brand & Holiday WANT TO. Those big minute guys (Jrue in season’s 2nd half) were instrumental in Sixers allowing 101.6 points per game this past season. They didn’t WANT TO then. Bad D mostly; at times atrocious.
Iguodala, whose defensive work is overblown/overstated locally (30 head coaches voted him 32nd most effective – see published tally – that’s 6th team “honors” – little defensive greatness observed by the eyes of opposing head coaches), WANTS TO sometimes, takes a pass sometime; doesn’t relish others’ physicality on the interior ever.
Sam the Sham got no votes from coaches despite local bloggers frequent applause and hyperbolic statements as to his overall defensive worth.
Brand isn’t worth discussing as one needs foot speed, lateral movement ability and keen interest to play strong D; top flight hacker/cheap shot though (smartly picks his targets in that respect).
Jrue’s long, energetic and and takes pride in his shut down ability but he got smoked frequently by quicker guards and often by his own
mental laxity.
Great defense is about coordinated and sustained TEAM effort; each of the aforementioned talk a good game but they’re mostly about themselves in both court performances and in their shows of personality.
The new head coach should come equipped with the understanding that the roster is littered with defensive litter in the form of spoiled, disinclined athletes with ever-ready outward pointing index fingers.
Running and jumping is just a start.
JJG - I gotta disagree.
This year they were horrendous and absolutely that had a lot to do with players not taking pride in defending. But they also had a head coach that didn’t care much if they did either. That matters in the discussion.
This is the teams defensive rating (points per 100 possessions) over the last 4 years:
This tells me that the roster as is, without a strong head coach or defensive strategy is an average defensive team.
Insert a strong defensive mind and the backbone to demand all players to commit to a higher defensive standard (or ride the pine) and I think this team is top 10 defensively.
Tough to provide 3 names. Assistant coaches don’t always graduate successfully to the head coaching job. I’d be happy with Collins, Casey or Mitchell. Also, Thibideau, Bud & Williams may have merit. We are not in the interview room. How many of these guys really want the job? If Collins really wants it, I’d lean towards him. He will get the most out of this team for 3 years until he wears out his welcome.
Jumpin, I look at all-defensive teams like gold gloves in baseball, being on a winner and putting up good offensive numbers does seem to matter when it should be about defense period. Sam!s effect down that end is top 5 from what I see, because when he is out they get abused in the middle and there aren!t many good centers in the league now.
Dannie, I just reread your Casey article and would not mind him being the pick at all.
Ryan F – how can you possibly say what has Avery Johnson done………… then say you want TT as your head coach… makes no sense. You also forgot the part where he got the Mavericks to the NBA title game and would have won had the officiating been not so bad… thats pretty convient to forget that wouldn’t you say? I would say getting a team to the NBA finals is far more impressive then looking intense calling out defensive plays on T.V.
Chuck - WRONG.
Don’t be one of “those guys” that blames the outcome of an entire playoff series on officiating.
Wade imposed his ability and will on that series and took over and Dallas had no answer. Officiating doesn’t account for Dallas being up 2 games to zero and leading by 12 in the 4th quarter of the 3rd game with 8:36 remaining.
Then he got thoroughly out coached by his mentor Don Nelson in that Golden State series in the first round and then again the next year.
He under-achieved with the team he had.
He also had some extremely peculiar comments when speaking about the Sixers roster last off-season when we were looking for a coach.
With that said, I believe he is most definitely a strong coach.
I updated the post, apparently Dan Majerle will be interviewed. What? I have no clue whatsoever where this one is coming from.
Sam Mitchell is expected to be interviewed tomorrow.
Interesting name; is he part of the reason they defend a little bit now?
I read there are still issues in Portland with Pritchard.
I would be a whole lot more excited about the long term future if Pritchard was GM here, as opposed to either Stefanski or Brown calling the shots. For the most part I don’t think our next coach makes a lasting impact… mostly because this team does not keep coaches around very long and the team’s prospects the next 3 years are pretty dim regardless of coaching.
Did he really Dannie? What has Dallas done in the postseason since Avery Johnson left… besides not make the postseason and once they do choke it away? Maybe it’s just me.. but if your claiming Johnson got so badly out-coached by Nelson you would think a new coach would solve all thee problems wouldn’t you? Hmm maybe it has more to do with the core of the team becoming soft once the postseason starts. Again maybe it’s just me but getting a team to the NBA finals is more impressive then looking good calling out defensive plays
Chuck - Give me a break. For one the Dallas has made the playoffs the two years after Johnson has been gone and got out of the first round which Johnson didn’t do the two years previous.
If Carlisle was coaching against Nelson and that Warriors team than you could say that (“you would think a new coach would solve all the problems”). That wasn’t the case, and I didn’t say he got outcoached ever game he was on the sideline. He did for sure in that series.
Dallas had the luxury of being the #1 seed and playing against a team that had no interest in playing any defense. Instead of playing to his team’s strength (size/half court offense and defense) he changed his line-up and went small and fell into the trap of trying to play the small ball style the Warriors played (much better) and it completely back fired. You tell me what great coach changes the line-up that lead his team to 67 wins in the regular season the first game of the playoffs, when EVERYONE in the world knew that wasn’t his teams strength?
He had teams with much more talent than the Sixers and got to a finals once and then went down hill afterwards.
Also, I and others don’t just want TT or any other assistant just because they have a reputation of being strong defensively. It’s also the pedigree, the coaches they’ve learned from and worked for. It’s the type of personality we see in them and how that would impact the team we currently have. And just like any other job applicant it’s based on the recommendations of other basketball people we respect.
Furthermore he said some things with regards to the Sixers that make me question his ability to make the most of this roster (high praise for Louis williams, Willie Green a point guard etc.).
Just out of curiosity what where his comments or where could I find them.. I remember you brining them up last year. Also who are you’re three top guys.. I know things are always changing but if you had to come up with a list today what would it be.
The link to the Avery Johnson podcast looks to be gone after 950 ESPN transitioned to 97.5 the Phantic. The original link I posted no longer works and I don’t think their archives go back that far.
Top 2 of the candidates that are realistic possibilities:
That’s where I am right now. I don’t have a top 3 really. If I was forced I’d probably add Avery to the list with Sam Mitchell 4th (I actually think he is underrated) and I like what I read about him helping Billups grow as a player when he was in Minnesota. Again I think Avery is solid despite my criticism, but there’s just something about him that bothers me.
As I mentioned above, I don’t think this team is a ready to win (big) right now and they are still young and developing therefore I am MUCH more willing to go with a top assistant and give him a long leash. If this a veteran team in position to make moves to win (big) now I would be more inclined to want Johnson, Collins or Brown.
Add Bill Laimbeer to the list.
Change my vote to Laimbeer, he’s been my write in candidate last year.
I meant “he was” my …..
Post 8 correction: Iguodala, a 7th teamer by voting, not 6th teamer as stated [short division can be tricky].
Dannie, Agree, coach matters in discussion. Question is, how much?
Can a ’fire & brimstone’ sort (Johnson or Thibodeau for example)
vanquish well-established player tendencies, mindsets and “sins” that have been at the root of losing/mediocrity enough to effect a turnaround? Athletically, they may be capable of top 10 defense but roster is starch deficient … stubborn at times but not mentally tough; there’s a difference. Coaching change without player shuffle is putting lipstick on a pig. The 76ers aren’t player-equipped; too many in their own comfortable, self-delusionary orbits of “fame” imo.
suede, Time to review your Gold Glove correlation theory. Varejao 8.6 ppg, Sefolosha 6.0, Camby 7.5, Mbah a Moute 6.2, Afflalo 8.8, Battier 8.0 got recognized for their defensive work without offensive numbers. All finished in front of ’2 votes’ Iguodala & ‘zero votes’ Dalembert. There are other examples that refute your premise too. Collectively, head coaches know who can play and who are imposters.
Jumpin, I also stated being on a winner matters, look at your listed players. In baseball, it seems rare an unknown defensive specialist wins out over a bigger name guy, just an opinion.
suede, Of course, the strong defensive work of the awarded & winning go hand-in-hand. Great defense begets winning. Winning doesn’t necessarily beget All-Defense Awards. But being “a winner” on a winner matters in the voting results.
Baseball Gold Glove is more subjective, harder for a worthy newcomer to crack – just my opinion, based on years of observation.
And your “putting up good offensive numbers” bias mention was incorrect … sour grapes of an Iggy & Sammy fan. Hey, we all have our blind spots.
I will never cheer for the Sixers again if they hire Lame beer. A top assistant is the way to go, TT, MB, Casey or Sam Mitchell just because Dannie thinks he’s underrated and the work he did with one of my favorite players Billups.
I don’t want Laimbeer anywhere near Sixers. Majerle either. Reason: coaches by convenience; candidates by desperate scanning and reach. Let ‘em pester their old teams for chance to display their questionable wares.
I’m not going to hold Iguodala responsible for the Sixers not being good enough to garner him national attention for what he can do.. He is not good enough to be the lead piece of a top team. He is not good enough to carry a tema.. neither was Rashard Lewis, Mo Williams, Pao Gasol or Pual Peirce. But those guys now have elite level teammates… and Iguodala has Elton Brand.
I’ll loudly hold Iguodala accountable for his poor shot selection and pouting. But even if Iguodala plays at up to his maximum potential… the Sixers still stink. And for that senior management and ownership bear the brunt of the responsibility.
Laimbeer would be in my top 3 thus far. He has a great recommendation from Chuck Daly:
“On why former Pistons center and current Detroit Shock coach Bill Laimbeer can’t land an NBA head coaching job: “I think it must be because Billy made a lot of enemies when he was a player. But I tell you what. He is as smart as a whip. Someone is going to get darn lucky in this league. They just have to take a chance. I talked to the Maloofs about him when they were looking for a coach (last year), and they would have talked to him. But Geoff (Petrie) wasn’t interested.”
Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kings/archives/014885.html#ixzz0nUGoxnFc
Majerle and Laimbeer?
Are we such a bad situation that we have to settle for guys with no business being an NBA coach? Like when the Raiders hired Lane Kiffin.
Pete, Laimbeer may lack a ton of NBA coaching experience, but I’m not sure how you can characterize him as having “no business being an NBA coach?”
If we hire this dude I might stop being a Sixers fan:
What kind of weak ass comment is that? I do not want a guy that isn’t sure if he even really wants to be a head coach right now.
Gene Shue, Doug Collins, Bill Laimbeer, Dan Majerle … is this a waltz down memory lane or a head coach hiring search?
Listened to Sam Mitchell talk on radio for 5 minutes with an open mind. Sorry to report that he was cordial but snoringly soporific. I can see why he is extremely interested in job. Just what the Sixers’ players need. Another coach to quickly disregard. .452 regular season winning pct. 3-8 playoffs. Next!
Sixers need someone who is dynamic in personality and relentless in drive to win. (One Sam in organization is one too many.) What in Sam Hill is goin’ on with the dubious Stefanski-DiLeo-Shue roving ‘think tank’? Their Baskin-Robbins interviewing gambits (combined with secrecy element) are not exactly shooting off sparks for an already-burnt fan base, and breed further erosion of confidence. Are they biting their nails on a decision? Or waiting for Uncle Larry’s advice?
Meanwhile, Ed Snider is Flyered-up about Game 6 … and still gets misty-eyed at the mention of Leon Rochefort and Forbes Kennedy.
The way the Celtics have been d’ing up and from what I’ve observed from Thibodeau on the sidelines during games he is still my choice. The players listen to this guy. When a big switches to LeBron TT gets up and starts barking commands and you can see the players reacting successfully. That’s what I want to see on the sidelines and on the floor. Someone who is in command of his players and the game.
TT seems like a good candidate for directionless, defense hurting Sixers. Question is, will a lesser set of players jump to his signals when the support of Danny Ainge, Doc Rivers, a triangle of exceptional vets and Celts’ winning heritage disappears from view? If that were a given, I think he’d have been given the reins of a team by now. If they’re going the assistant route, he’s worth a try… if he really wants the Sixers job. Haven’t heard anything on that angle.
I say have ALL coaches who are presently drawing a 76ers paycheck, whatever their status may be, report directly to the planning room for 2 months of brainstorming and action plan development, and then to Avalon “Happy Day” festivities (for a beer and photo-op with Ed Stefanski & Jason Smith), and finally to training camp to fine tune for a season of rotational head coaching duties like the Chicago Cubs of the early 60s. How many coaches would that be? Team Amalgam. At least the gimmick would amuse the blase players and disenchanted fan base – until December.
jjg: How many? It depends, if we’re counting Lynam and Ayers and if Mo hasn’t received his final paycheck yet, I’d say say five: lyname, Ayers, Cheeks, Jordan and Ford. Six if we’re counting Ed Snider’s annual holiday gift basket to LB.
Morty, Good accounting. But gotta push Tony onto the wheel too
since he’s done it, and refuses to relinquish his stranglehold on decision power. Larry may come next Spring in Hip-Hop’s Easter basket.
Dannie,
Any thoughts on the playoffs? Here are some of my Sixer-related ones:
Louis Amundson is in the Conference Finals. Go Suns!
Speaking of the Suns, they went away from the Mike D’Antoni style of play, it didn’t work, they missed the playoffs last year, so they went back to that style (not 100%) with Alvin Gentry, and now they’re in the conference finals. If the Sixers’ goal is to make the playoffs, maybe they can try to re-make the team so that it’s a lot like the 2007-2008 one?
Watching more and more of these games is making me think we should’ve traded Iguodala. Even with Iguodala at his best, you can still gameplan to stop him, but when the top players in this past semifinal round are at their best, stopping them is damn hard, even Amare. I know Iguodala plays good defense, but it’s the playoffs, doesn’t everyone?
The Sixers do NOT have the talent or the chemistry of the NBA’s elite 8. The Sixers management just doesn’t know how to put a good roster together. What is our style? What are the Sixers about? Our roster makes no sense. If a team can find a role for Louis Amundson and yours can’t, your team management is pretty bad.
“Zack, Hello! Have you met? These are the Philadelphia 76ers.”
Even Amare? He’s a stud! Helluva frontcourt player. Marvin Barnes
without the tire iron temper. But Sixers couldn’t use a guy like Stoudemire, apparently. They rather tread losingly and carry a big Dalembert.
Correction: they’d
I think Iguodala is a fixed commodity; his value will not rise or fall. its all about his contract. we should still be able to trade him at any point but what the direction we go after that is what I am worried about.
Muscle definition, elaborate tatoos and slam dunks aside, Iguodala is a dime a dozen basketball player – with attitude.
Jumpin, Larry Catvertas [guessing on the spelling] didn!t know what hit him; Bring Casey and T.T. in for interviews please!!!! Dannie, read somewhere T.T. blew off E.S. last year , could you look into it?
Larry Catvertas? Never heard of him. Explain if it be your pleasure.
sp correction: tattoos
http://www.boston.com/sports/articles/2006/01/06/good_news_bad_news/
article on Marvin Barnes, Sixers’ #1 draft pick of ’74, taken after Bill Walton
Even Amare?
jjg, Amare must be really frustrating for a Suns fan during the regular season because he’s so up and down – sometimes he cares, sometimes he doesn’t, sometimes he shows up, sometimes he doesn’t; but I’d momentarily forgotten how good he usually is in the playoffs. It’s like the opposite of Iguodala – a real regular season warrior, but come playoff time I just don’t trust his offense.
The “even Amare” part of my post was in reference to the majority of Sixer fans out there who didn’t want to do the Stoudemire trade.
Jumpin, he was a big center that Marvin went after with the tire iron, I believe.
suede, I now see. Didn’t realize that was his teammate’s name. Great memory on your part.
Zack, I don’t give full credence to regular season transpirings; gotta factor in the motivational aspects and some of the garbage that passes for contests. All that I know is, whenever I see him, I see a real player, a force to be reckoned with. He’s the kind of talent the Sixers badly lack.
I see a force to be reckoned with on the offensive end for sure. Defensively, well that’s another story. Specifically, with his size and athletic ability he under achieved greatly on that end of the floor.
Evidenced by the coaches never voting him in for the all defensive team. His reputation and praise as a player is driven by one side of the ball and the luxury of playing with a guy that makes scoring easy for all.
I love him as an offensive front court player, but I’d need a legit defensive anchor playing along side him.
Suede - I haven’t heard about TT blowing off the Sixers last year. All reports were that he did indeed interview for the position. So by “blew off” do you mean turned down an offer for a 2nd interview or the position?
Zack - I think you are looking at Iguodala backwards. Every player has strengths and weaknesses. Ideally, this team should not be built around Iguodala as a focal point of the offense or as an offensive driver at all. So we shouldn’t need to worry about him “being stopped.” Offensively he is a complimentary player, plain and simple. On that end of the floor he should be a 2nd option at best.
He should be a Lamar Odom or Ron Artest type player on a championship level team. Someone that adds value with his strengths (defense and open court play) and is adequate on average in other areas with the potential to really step up on occasion. He shouldn’t be relied on to be “the guy” that is expected to step up all the time. The Sixers still need that player.
I wouldn’t have minded trading for Amare if it wasn’t done in a vacuum and there was a real plan for building around him properly (i.e giving him a great pick and roll partner, surrounding him with shooters and defenders). He we swap Iguodala (and Dalembert) for Amare and don’t do anything else we still suck.
May still suck, but at least you’d have a desired commodity and have shown the guts to change the chemistry, come what may. Real examples of taking on risk and trying to improve would improve the organization’s esteem in the minds of fans. Flapping around in the wind while other organizations motor is a hard position to support.
You can tell Iguodala loudly that he’s a complementary/secondary offensive option but the genie came out of that bottle with his 80 million. He won’t believe you. And he won’t play down to “lowly” contributor. Wants the ball to shoot it or to pass it – or he quits/stands around like a wooden indian.
JJG - Agree, change would have been fine. But also understand if such a deal could be pulled off that would make Iguodala a “desired commodity” as well. Further, we have no clue to that end unless the Sixers actually start shopping him.
In a 2 for 1 (as in winter-rumored Iguodala & Dalembert for Stoudemire). 1, the greater commodity than either of the double-packaged, logic says. 6’6″ athletes, not so rare in NBA. Put both on auction block tomorrow, interest/action much heavier for Amare than Andre, my opinion.
“76ers in frequent contact with Collins” – Inquirer headline, 5/12/10:
Is he Eddie’s man, or Eddie’s selection advisor? Whatever, it’s a funny way to conduct the business of an open-minded coaching search.
Kate Fagan, Inquirer, 5/12/10: “According to multiple sources, Sixers swingman Andre Iguodala would be in favor of Collins’ hiring. Iguodala, from Springfield, Ill., grew up watching the Collins-coached Bulls, a team led by superstar guard Michael Jordan.”
The implication being their games are similar in some respect? I wonder what spurs such a complimentary and grandiose association reference. Could the author possibly be buttering #9 up? Or does she see in his play and bearing a greatness which I and many others miss?
I grew up watching the Vince Lombardi-coached Packers but I never
ran a sweep like Jim Taylor. Or an out-and-up like Max McGee. Or laid the wood like Willie Wood. Or toed a leather oblong like Don Chandler.
I would be in favor of an Iguodala trade and a non-Collins’ hiring.
But Ed Snider doesn’t give a right circle slapshot hoot about my
opinion.
Let’s go Flyers; let’s go Don Earle!
Correction: above quotes from today’s Inquirer May 13, 2010
I agree JJG we better not hire a coach based of the fact are fake wannabee number one option with a piss poor attitude liked him watching him on TV growing up as a kid.
Our number one goal this offseason should be getting rid of AI9. Like Bill Simmons has said there are a number of players who have received star type contracts think there stars… but in fact are not even close. Igudola fits into that category perfectly and while his contract is ridiculous their have been teams to show interest in him. We simply CANNOT win anything significant with him being our number one guy… anyone who thinks otherwise is a naive moron. Even if we have to a package a nice piece with him to get it done ala young or speights we should do it… because both of those players have many holes in their game despite their potential. Obvisouly Brand is a problem as well but I doubt we would even be able to get rid of him this summer.
Our goal should be to do as much as we can to get rid of as much as we can and start over. Forget the players you think could be good down the road.. it will just lead us to more 38-44 types of seasons. Heres to hoping we get the number one pick next week.
Chuck, Agree with your ‘clear the deck’ idea. NONE of Sixers are obvious set pieces of a future winner, though Holiday, Young, Speights have open doors to their greater potential. Bottom line concerns dissuade most management teams from that tact though.
DN “Sixerville” reports that Houston Rockets’ Ass’t. Coach Elston Turner will be interviewed tomorrow.
The search is becoming farcical or - if you prefer - obsessively, compulsively thorough.
Dannie, I think the way the Sixers do things is backwards.
*
Do you have any ideas on how to take Sixers discussion into some sort of new, novel direction?
Here’s one of mine – do you think you could do a series comparing the Sixers to other teams? Write about anything you want to, you don’t have to be consistent from post to post. For example, the Warriors vs. the Sixers – would you do an Iguodala/Holiday for Ellis/Curry swap? Which team has a brighter future? Who would you rather have, Ronny Turiaf or Speights?
Sometimes when I read Sixers talk it makes me think of a dog spinning round and round chasing its tail, and he’s been doing it for hours, and every time you go outside to check on him, he’s still doing it, and you’re like “I can’t believe he’s still doing that, what the F…”
While they’re at it, wouldn’t hurt to give another guy on Rockets’ staff an interview ticket – Theodore Roosevelt Dunn, Alabama & Nuggets …
great defender in his time, has a coaching resume. In his mid-fifties.
Might put the snarl back in Sixers’ D.
No offense intended, Zach, but while you make fun of “the dog,” you only offer a dogshit idea of team & player comparison fluff as substitute. Gotta do better than that. Especially on the East Coast.
Dannie, what I mentioned earlier about Tibs brushing off E.S. I just read on one of the forums, it wasn!t from an official source. Would like to know what it was about. Turner getting his interview? Hopefully this isn!t a done deal [Collins?] like last year.
Feels like it’s a done deal, doesn’t it?
If they don’t interview Budenholzer and TT I will be disappointed. If they hire an assistant without first offering TT the job I will be disappointed. At least from an resume standpoint what assistant is more qualified? Which assistant has a better background, perceived coaching style for this team?
Never know, Collins may prefer Bulls job. His name has been in mix out there too. Reinsdorf and he are buds, even after 1st canning.
Personally, I think he’s crazy for wanting to coach again, given his 3 ownership-aborted experiences at younger ages and his earned niche as talented analyst. Must like the smell of Atomic Balm in the morning.
While technically-qualified, can a two generation-removed, tightly-wound Doug Collins tolerate and motivate loosely-wound Sixers? He’s like a cat on a hot tin roof when he coaches, former NBA fan Tennessee Williams once observed.
Just my gut feeling, but I think that TT is the choice, but they’re holding off because he’s still in the playoffs. Yes, they’re interviewing everyone who has ever stepped on a basketball court, but I think that search is to find a “plan b” coach if TT doesn’t want the job. Collins is a genuinely good guy, who has a history with this team, so I think he’s advising ES in his search for a plan b coach. Might be wishful thinking on my part, as I’m now convinced that TT is far and away the best choice for the Sixers head coaching job, but we shall see.
I’ve never heard longtime assistant Thibodeau speak. Apparently he didn’t graduate from the Dale Carnegie finishing school but neither did Dallas Green, Fred Shero or Buddy Ryan.
M. Woodson out in ATL..
Im hearing rumors of M Brown being fired in Cleveland.
Any thoughts on those 2 as Sixers coaches?
Why would the Sixers want two coaches that couldn’t get the job done with far more talent than they would have coaching the Sixers?
I think both coaches are weak, Mike Brown especially.
Agree with Dannie. Both leave something to be desired, though Woodson’s better imo. Mike Brown instructs like Mr. Peepers, laughs like Mr. Ed. In 6 years, Woodson gradually increased win total from 13 to 53 (commendable); fired due to Hawks no-show vs. Magic … hard to defend in the end.
Tony Allen praises Thibodeau:
http://bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view/20100515postseason_is_tony_allens_time/
Rare candor and humility; hard to imagine any present Sixer but Willie “Sprouts” Green publicly complimenting a “lowly” assistant.
Will any more coaches be interviewed?
Also, how ’bout them Flyers??
Tony Dileo wanting to get back into coaching?
When is the lottery selection? Should be done soon right?
Phil - It’s tomorrow at 8:30pm
If you go after the professor [Van Gundy] than why not hire his star pupil [Thibodeax]? I have a feeling if we don!t get a top 3 pick they will move their pick for a current player and hire a choice that gets them in the playoffs and they will be happy. My problem is a young assistant and a young player [draft pick] probably accomplishes the same thing, with more possible upside.
Sixers are making second interviews:
http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/sixers/20100517_Sixers_about_to_offer_second_interviews_to_coaching_candidates.html#axzz0oBBE9A3b
jjg, I think most of us know the Sixer players really well now, I think stuff like “What is Iguodala?” has been beaten to death. Sam has been discussed at length, so has Lou, so has Speights. I think it would be fun to start looking at the Sixers in comparison to other teams. Instead of asking, “What kind of trades would you do for the Sixers?”, Dannie might ask “What kinds of trades would you do with the Pistons?” I also think it would be a good study on what works and doesn’t work in the NBA, a look at different NBA styles, coaching, old guard vs. new guard, who will be the next superstar to win a title (Dwight Howard), and why certain superstars won’t (Carmelo), and a host of other things. I think it has the potential to be a great series of blog posts.
And right now would be the best time to start, when teams will be out trying to re-make their teams for 2010-2011.