http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/paul_forrester/08/01/coaches/ Degrees of pressure What's in store -- and at stake -- for six new coaches Posted: Monday August 6, 2007 2:04PM; Updated: Monday August 6, 2007 2:20PM Lost amid all the player movement that occurs each summer are the moves that offer just as much room for change -- coaches. Six teams hired new bench generals this offseason. As many coaches will admit, they not only are hired to be fired, but they're also only as good as the talent at their disposal. So which new hires are stepping into stable situations and who is destined for a lot of sleepless nights? Let's take a look, from those facing the most pressure to the least: Rick Adelman, Rockets Vital stats: Has crafted a 752-481 record in 16 seasons as a head coach in Portland, Golden State and Sacramento; holds a 70-68 record in the playoffs, including two appearances in the Finals. Pressure points 1. Get to the second round: That's the reason Jeff Van Gundy is no longer in Houston, right? A team with Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady should always be a threat for a deep playoff run, yet neither has reached the second round in his career. Yes, a large part of the responsibility for the Rockets' early exits rests with those two, but it also rested with a coach in Van Gundy who struggled with the concept of offense. That has never been a problem for Adelman, who, with a big assist from Pete Carril, made the Kings' offense the envy of the league before the Suns took over the NBA fashion spreads. He didn't put together too bad a team in Portland, either. But getting teams deep into the playoffs has never been Adelman's problem ... 2. ... Winning a title has been: The one knock on Adelman has been that he can't win in the clutch, which Houston also hasn't done in recent years. And though they're in the West, the Rockets are built to win now. With the additions of polished power forward Luis Scola from Argentina -- by way of the Spurs -- Mike James and Bonzi Wells (from his self-imposed exile), new general manager Daryl Morey has made the Rockets more dynamic, capable of winning even if the defense isn't air tight. Adelman's history suggests the Rockets should ace the regular season, but he'll have to prove he can outmotivate and outscheme the Hall of Fame lineup of coaches out West for Houston to fulfill expectations. 3. Open your mind: While few of Morey's moves to this point have been head-scratchers, his background crunching numbers and looking for underutilized talents may raise an eyebrow or two soon. Adelman will have to be willing to adjust to some perhaps unorthodox suggestions, and the fact that he was hired by Morey indicates he's on board with the concepts the front office is espousing. But Adelman will have to be prepared for every rotation, every move, to be analyzed and probed for its relative efficiency. Personally, we think the approach will work, but only if Adelman buys in, too. Prognosis: Good. Houston is already a playoff-worthy club. With Adelman's track record producing smooth-operating, explosive offenses, fans should be entertained while preparing for a return to the postseason. With Van Gundy no longer on the bench, though, the team will have to be careful not to cast aside the defensive posture it developed. But Adelman knows the West well, and knows his strengths as a coach are now in vogue across the league. He also has a GM who's demonstrated he isn't afraid to shake up the roster. That should at least be good enough for a move into the second round and, with any luck, beyond.
probably written before the signing, or he didnt feel Francis would make an impact. After seeing how SF spent his last couple seasons, I could understand that thought. disclaimer: I personally feel SF was sulking in NY and probably has some game left....it wouldnt surprise me in the least to see him have a breakout season now that he is back where he wants to be. time will tell
dont quote articles for one sentence. as for your statement, who are you to say? as long as links are included, its kosher with Clutch, and what is kosher with Clutch is ok here. unless you are the author, and you dont want it posted....if thats the case, say so otherwise you are just another rookie running his mouth when he shouldnt
Calm down, rook. That paragraph about Morey is just another example of someone who really doesn't grasp what the Moneyball -- or is it Moreyball? -- concept is all about.
I think its interesting that he thinks Coach A has the most pressure because he's inherited a team ready for more. The other coaches in the article all have less to work with. Stan Van Gundy could actually be tied for the number one pressure position if you ask me. Even though the Magic only added one big player, they have an easier schedule being in the East. They were outclassed in the playoffs last year, but they should be able, in theory, to get to the second round or further. The writer says a 6-7 game first round, but I think they should be second round bound. So I would say for both those coaches its second round or consider themselves a failure.
What does this have to do with Yao Ming's wedding? Just kidding. Not a bad article, but I find it really odd that Francis wasn't even mentioned. Sure, he didn't make much of an impact last year, but it was certainly more than Bonzi made last year and Bonzi was mentioned.
I thought this was an article by our Kelly Dwyer.. too bad he's not with them anymore. But a good article though.. good find!
Pretty good assesment. The pressure is certainly the most on Adelman --> the most qualified coach going to the most polished team in terms of contention. If we lost in the 1st round again,....we're cursed.
bah! I called him on that immediately ya know, this board has mellowed used to be, that rookie woulda gotten flamed so hard for that his backside would be down at the Shriners hospital by now.
There are a few boards where its a rule not to paste the entire article, fortunately this is not one of them. funny thing i've seen on those boards is a horrible quote feature which will quote a quote where there is a box inside a box and eventually you'll have like half a page responding to the last quote in a series of quotes which to me is a whole LOT more annoying than someone pasting an article.
Until it happens, this will have to be known as The Vince Carter, as in "pulling a Vince Carter". If he executes it better than ever, we may well have to rename it The Stevie Franchise. One can only hope.
can't be called a francis, since vc did it first. it's called "pulling a vince carter", and steve definitely was pulling a vince carter. you'll see.
