Dick Justice: Alexander looking to replace Adelman

First of all, I don't give much credence to Justice publishing some rumors about the intention of Les, unless Les gave him some reason to think he's looking to change coaches, which I doubt.

I think this is just speculation coming from a bunch of people trying to interpret why Adelman hasn't been offered an extension. There are a number of potential reasons that may be at the root of this decision instead of simply the idea that Les doesn't want him here anymore. It could also be that they want to see what the CBA is going to look like before offering a new contract, they may want to see how well Adelman works with the young players on the squad or how the rest of the season goes, they may want to save face given that Adelman himself is questioning what he wants to do going forward.

Justice could be right, but I think he's just speculating here. If he is right, I think Les won't find a better coach. There's only one coach out there that I'd prefer to have over Adelman: Popovich. And he ain't going nowhere. Plus, getting rid of Adelman will make highly sought after coaches think twice before going to Houston. Coaches around the league respect Adelman and if they see that he gets shafted after squeezing everything out of a line-up with a $15mil hole in the roster that used to be your superstar centerpiece, then coaches will think twice before coming--which means Les will have to pay more to convince them to come. That means he'll have to go with a younger, unproven coach who just wants the chance to coach like Mark Jackson.

If you think of coaches like mutual fund managers, Adelman's alpha has got to be really high. And Morey probably has quantified that already.

 

Rick is a great off the court coach. Players generally love him, he has a great offense in place, etc etc. BUT I fell like his in-game coaching has hurt us this season. I know he lost his two superstars, but his favoritism with Brad Miller and Chuck Hayes is just downright upsetting. I know he doesn't have much to work with at the 5, but there really is no reason for Chuck to get as many minutes as a Center as he is.

I wish there was a way to keep Rick as like...an offensive coordinator or something. I know he's a great coach, and our numbers on offense speak for themselves, but the in-game coaching just isn't cutting it.

 

This is a great point that is often overlooked.

 

If Rick convince Les and DM to sign Brad Miller for 3 yrs and $15 mil he should get fired for that alone. LOL!

 

Maybe we need to replace Alexander. :grin:

 

Chuck would be great as a backup 5 going against the other teams backup 5. Please allow Thabeet to play in Miller spot and allow Hill to make mistakes. Why become 1st round foder for the Spurs.

 

If I'm LA, I'm calling Adelman up the second I see this article and both apologizing and assuring him whether or not he'll be back is HIS call.

Fearing the worst, I just pray it's not Larry Brown. If LA hires this flake we'll be having this same coaching conversation less than two years from now.

 

I don't know why Justice decided to write this. Some things are best kept underwraps. This could jeopardize our ability to resign him.

 

I'm dropping by to say...I refuse to talk or think much about this until the season is over.

You're welcome.

 

Agreed.

 

Tom Thibodeau would be a great "new blood" coach but I doubt Chicago is willing to give him up.

Sloan would be ok....

Can't think of anyone else I'd rather have over Adelman that might actually come here.

The idea of RA leaving is not horrifying but nobody has come up with a good replacement option, and JVG is NOT an option.

 

I hope like hell that Adelman gets at least 2 more years
I seriously cannot think of a better coach that is available.

Rocket River

 

I wouldn't be surprised if it is Sloan. That will continue our trend of hiring coaches who've made it to the Finals but never won it all, JVG, Adelman, Sloan...

 

he also uses a motion driven offense. tons of P&R too.

 

I don't think there is a coach out there, other than Phil Jackson and Pop, who is better than Adelman right now. Here is hoping that the rumor isn't true.

It is Alexander's team and money though so, if he treats this team as his toy, then it is his call. Bad move though, unless Adelman himself doesn't want to return and be involved in this -whatever you want to call it- Rockets situation.

 

http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/

1991-92 NBA Portland Trail Blazers* Lost Finals R. Adelman (57-25)

1989-90 NBA Portland Trail Blazers* Lost Finals R. Adelman (59-23)

 

You must be the only guy on this entire forum who thinks Hill or Thabeet should be in the rotation.

 

$30 to the tipjar if Adelman goes

there is no way that anyone could be a better coach to this current team than Adelman

 

I can see Elston Turner getting the shot if the Rockets want to go the cheap route, but realistically Les has always been about hiring a big name with a proven track record, so in that vein I would not be surprised if he went after Jerry Sloan.

To me that is the only name right now that is available that would equal Adelman. Larry Brown I'm not too hot about, but he'd be great for the overachievers like Lowry and Patterson. Jhill and Twill would never see the light of day with Brown.

As for the article, I'm still trying to figure out if Justice is being a mouthpiece for the Rockets as he's done before. My bet is that Adelman has made up his mind and isn't coming back, and Les is already planning for his next coach.

 

Justice is known to intentionally write controversial stuff. I don't think he has any insider info to back up his speculations.

There are a couple of things that might potentially lead to Adelman's departure.

1. His unwillingness to coach a rebuilding team. Our inability to acquire an elite player in this past trade deadline might just be the deciding factor for him.

2. His differences with Morey. This is pure conjecture on my part. I hope it is not true. Some people feel that the TWill thing shows that Adelman and Morey don't see eye to eye in player acquisition. I don't know what to make of it. My hunch is that Adelman has been in this business long enough to understand how GMs work, and Morey isn't a bad or unreasonable GM.

Anyways, if Adelman doesn't mind staying and Les still wants to replace him with Larry Brown, that will be the stupidest thing to happen.