Don Chaney may be grabbing Larry Smith for the mean streets of NYC. If so, good hire, Duck. http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/36210.htm DON EYES ROCKETS' SMITH AS ASSISTANT By MARC BERMAN June 7, 2003 -- The Rockets' Larry Smith has emerged as a candidate for the Knicks' last assistant-coaching opening, The Post has learned. Smith was Houston's acting head coach after taking over for cancer-stricken Rudy Tomjanovich, piloting them for the last 17 games. Don Chaney talked to Smith during this week's Chicago pre-draft camp. Smith, a 12-year NBA veteran and one of the league's best offensive rebounders in his day, played for Chaney in Houston from 1989 to 1992. Nicknamed "Mr. Mean," Smith has been with the Rockets as an assistant coach for eight years and was on their staff during their two championships, including the 1994 conquest of the Knicks. With Jeff Van Gundy on the verge of taking the Rockets' head-coaching job, none of Houston's assistants likely will be retained. Officially offered the job yesterday, Van Gundy has told confidants he will bring on his Knick lieutenants, Tom Thibodeau, Steve Clifford and Andy Greer.
..and we've looked over the "JVG on the verge of taking the Houston job and bringing his lieutenants with him"?.....I thought that might start a thread
I think this is a positive sign that VG will come to Houston, if there is all this talk about our assistants leaving and his assistants coming here. Also, if VG was hesitant about coming to Houston, you know the tabloids in NY would be the first to break the news.
Does that mean there is a clean sweep of the coaching staff? If the the answer is 'Yes' then I am glad! We need coaches that are alive and have enthusiasm. No more trainee guys from the tape room, please! I hope JVG doesnt bring his GANG who ever they might be!! I hope he selects Assistant Coaches who can contribute to the various departments of the Team for example Offence and Defence[Xs and Os], Big Mans Game, Guard Play, Mind Set and Determination,Free Throw Shooting. I would like Calvin Murphy and Marrio Ellie to have consideration for the Staff.
Im glad for Mr. Mean but also glad for the Rockets too. My opinion is they should be working on keeping at least one guy around. Preferably one with the best overall relationship with the players and knowledge of them as well.
You don't want "trainee guys from the tape room" but you do want Elie and Murphy, who have zero coaching experience? At least Boylin and Mike Wells have coaching experience. Just because Murphy and Elie could play doesn't mean they can coach. j
I suggest picking possibly one. Rergarding the trainee Coaches which were disguised as Assistants I have ZERO confidence in their ability to coach our team. The New Head Coach should have his own choices as Assistant Coaches. The more experience at coaching the better but Keith Jones could be his link to the players. I was suggesting the local guys because I want the New Coach to have at least four active Coaches assisting him! This is all entertainment and chit chat it should not be considered as serious recomendations!
Funny how Carol Dawson revealed that he and Rudy and working on helping his assistants "land on their feet" again. The assistant coaching job in the NBA is more about who you know than not.
