Coaches available/semi available.... Waiting for the phone to ring Marty Burns, SI.com So your favorite team is out of the playoff race and you're already looking ahead to next season. If only you could find a 7-foot center who could give you 20 and 10 each night.... But there's nobody available who fits that description. So you do the next best thing: blame the coach. Yes, that's right, all you really need is a new X's and O's genius to take your team to the next level. But who's out there? Here's a look at some of the top candidates who might be available this summer. Don Nelson The three-time NBA Coach of the Year, currently a "consultant" in Dallas, would have no shortage of suitors if he decided to get back in the game. But it would probably take a lot of money -- and the right situation -- to convince him to give up his semi-retirement sipping mai tais poolside in Maui. ADVERTISEMENT Rick Adelman In the final year of his contract, the longtime Kings coach has been twisting in the wind all season. He could re-sign in Sacramento, especially the way his team is playing lately. But the Maloof Brothers made a run at Phil Jackson last summer, and Adelman might just decide to seek a fresh start a la Nate McMillan, who switched from Seattle to Portland after last season. Stan Van Gundy Oh yeah, we forgot. He quit because he wanted to spend time with his family. But in case the former Heat coach changes his mind (cough, cough), he can expect to hear his name mentioned for just about any opening that might arise. After all, he went 101-63 in his two full seasons in Miami, leading the Heat to the Eastern Conference finals in 2005. Tubby Smith Rumors continue to swirl that the Kentucky coach is unhappy in Lexington and is willing to make the NBA jump, possibly to Charlotte as Bernie Bickerstaff's handpicked replacement. But Smith has a whopper contract that runs through 2011, and it's unlikely Charlotte would fork over the kind of dough needed to buy him out. P.J. Carlesimo Forget the Latrell Sprewell fiasco. The Spurs assistant has head coaching experience in the pros (Warriors) and in college (Seton Hall), along with a reputation for knowing his X's and O's. He has been waiting for the right offer, even declining interviews in some cases, and was a finalist for the T'wolves vacancy a year ago. Paul Silas His stock has fallen somewhat since being fired by the Cavs midway through last season. But Silas still has that solid four-year run with the Hornets ('99-03) on his r?sum?, and his no-nonsense style might appeal to a club seeking a disciplinarian. He has ties to Seattle from his days with the Sonics, but they don't seem interested right now. Tom Izzo The Michigan State coach has lost some luster since he won the '00 NCAA crown, but he remains a hot name in NBA circles. With his Spartans due to lose several key players, the time might be right for a jump. He's even got a veteran NBA assistant on his MSU staff (Jim Boylen) who can help him make the transition. Doug Collins He swears he's happy as a TV analyst, but those who know him say they could see him back on the sidelines if the right situation presented itself. In other words, a chance to win a title, good money and lots of control. The Bucks made a run at him a year ago before settling on Terry Stotts. Marc Iavaroni Though he has no previous NBA head coaching experience, this Suns assistant was on the short list for the Portland vacancy last summer before losing out to McMillan. The former Pat Riley disciple is known as a defensive specialist, but he also has experience working with Mike D'Antoni and the Suns' high-octane offense. Del Harris This former Coach of the Year seems to show up on some team's short list every summer, but nobody has been able to lure him away from his cushy (and reported $750,000-a-year) assistant's gig in Dallas. One of these days the 68-year-old Harris just might pull a Hubie Brown and surprise everybody. Eric Musselman The former Warriors head coach has spent the past two seasons working as a Grizzlies assistant under Mike Fratello. After leading Golden State to a 38-44 record in '02-03, earning him runner-up in Coach of the Year voting, Musselman still has enough cachet to get a look. The Magic considered him last year before hiring Brian Hill. Others to watch: Jim O'Brien, Terry Porter, Rudy Tomjanovich, Tony Brown (Celtics assistant), Phil Johnson (Jazz assistant), Alvin Gentry, Lionel Hollins, Dave Cowens, Randy Wittman, Bob Huggins, Mario Elie, Sidney Lowe, Brian Winters, Jack Sikma _____________________________________________________ There are alot of names that intrigue me here. My fav's would be Del Harris, Doug Collins, Rick Adelman and PJ. Del and PJ would be invaluable because of their inside knowledge of the Dallas/SA strategies. Rick Adelman would help our offense immensly while we'd still retain a defensive edge from JVG (ala Detroit and Flip Saunders). Doug Collins knows the game extremely well and would know how to use our players right. The Rockets need a fresh face and a fresh attitude as much as they need talent. Hopefully something will get done.
I would bring in Rick Adelman. Rick Adelman run offense with the talent of yao/Tmac.... *drool* Rockets basketball would be a joy to watch.
Nah, Adleman would definitely make Yao the reincarnate of Vlade. Instead of the beast he's been of late.
As a continuation to the thread about who should succeed JVG in case he is fired, I created this poll. I noticed that Marty Burns posted an article about the available coaches, so I use the coaches he mentioned as option. Cast you vote and see who gets our love! [Gotta get rid of the Don Nelson choice because polls can only have 10 options and he is probably the least likely to be available.]
I would want them in this order Mario Elie, Mike O'Koren, Terry Porter, Eric Musselman, Randy Whittman.
I've said it before but I want John Lucas, then bring Mario Elie, Moses Malone and whoever else to be assistant coaches.
Yeah i'm not sure about him either--i think he's best suited as an assistant--he seems very much like a numbers guy--doesn't have the motivational tools that are essential for a successful coach. I like him alot though and hope he doesn't go if JVG is replaced/
On TNT last night, Charles and Kenny were saying that Jerry Sloan should leave the j*zz. Probably not going to happen, but I would love for him to coach us if something happened to JVG. Personally, I have not completely given up on JVG. I blame our supporting cast for this horrible season. But if something HAS to happen, my number one choice would be Jerry Sloan if he ever decided to leave Utah.
I like the model of a good head coach and really good, specialized assistants. Avery has motivational skills. Del Harris has experience, organization and x/os. Popovitch has commanding authority. PJ Carlisimo has great knowledge. I'd really like to see someone like Mario teamed with an experienced coach like Del. I'd prefer to see Kareem tutor Yao and other big men. I think Rick Adelman has a slightly better but very comparable resume to JVG, just with the focus flipped from defense to offense. That could be an interesting switch; but again I'd like to see Rick get some help from quality assistants that could get him further than he's gone before. He's been to the finals with Portland and close with Sacto, with different styles. Rick coaches a good game but his teams don't seem to have the killer instinct to throw the switch and finish the enemy. I think he'd really benefit now from a younger champion assistant like Mario. So...I'd like Adelman, Mario, and Kareem with additional video and scouting guys.
I didn't know JVG was fired, was going to be fired or left............ Until there is certain word from the organization that JVG is being moved or they are searching for a new coach I don't want to hear about this kind of stupid crap...
I still want Mario Ellie as our Head Coach plus two very experienced Coaches as his Assistant Coaches . [Del Harris and Rudy T]
considering the nba has trended towards the international game and all of its rules, it would be prudent to look at international coaches or coaches with international experience. jvg is a coach from the old regime of the nba. if you look at the top coaches today, they all have significant experience overseas. pop avery d'antoni not saying we should look at the above three. just saying that we should look overseas or at nba coaches with overseas experience. that's a good starting point.
Has to be Adelman. He does such a good job of utilizing Brad Miller's not-so-center skills such as passing and shooting long range, imagine what he could do with Yao... While we're at it, let's bring over Bibby with him.
